DISABILITY COMPENSATION PAYMENT

I. PURPOSE:

The service connected disability payment will be provided directly to the veteran. It is the policy of the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home facilities to:

A. Deduct the amount of Disability Compensation for service connected disability from the total income used to calculate the care and maintenance fee for services, effective during the calendar year when fee for services are re-evaluated.

B. Deduct the Service Connected Disability monies from the amount of Aid and Attendance received in computation of total income.

 

II. DEFINITIONS:

A. Disability Compensation: (Also referred to as "Service Connected Disability Compensation.") A monetary benefit paid to veterans who have been disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. This monetary benefit is related to the residual effect of an injury or disease. This benefit, which is not subject to federal or state income tax, is paid monthly and the amounts are determined by Congress. Veterans whose separation or discharge was under conditions that were other than dishonorable are provided this benefit. A veteran with a disability rated at 30% or more receives additional allowances for dependents, i.e., wife and two children or spouses, who are in need of aid and attendance of another person.

B. Aid and Attendance: A veteran's benefit payment to a resident in a nursing home or one who is declared bedridden who is otherwise determined by the VA to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, based on the actual requirement of personal assistance from others as defined in 38 CFR 3.352(a), (to undress and dress themselves, to keep themselves clean and presentable, need to be fed through loss of coordination, inability to attend to their wants of nature or requires frequent adjustment of special prosthetic or orthopedic appliances.)

 

III. PROCEDURE:

A. All veteran/spouse applicants and current residents are to have an income determination completed at the time of admission and annually thereafter, identifying the percentage of disability, and the amount of Disability Compensation monies being received.

B. Applicants if eligible will be assisted in the completion of an application for Aid and Attendance benefits during the admission application process, or as soon as possible thereafter.

C. The percentage of disability and the Disability Compensation amounts are to be determined utilizing the current rate schedules as published by Congress (See Addendum's Attached).

D. In calculating the care and maintenance fees, veteran residents receiving Aid and Attendance will have their determined Disability Compensation amounts deducted from their Aid and Attendance monies and the balance remaining will be included in the income of the resident/spouse. For those individuals receiving only Disability Compensation monies, the entire disability payment will be excluded from the income of the resident's spouse.

E. For statistical purposes, the percentages of disability and amounts of Disability Compensation monies are to be indicated on a separate line item on the Care and Maintenance Fee Calculation Form.


BUSINESS OFFICE  - 44-03-010

 

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