Islandia, NY USA - As we begin 2012, there is good news for Veterans who have served our country. The United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs approved a rate increase in the Veterans Administration's (VA) Aid and Attendance Pension rate starting this month. This is the first rate increase since 2009 and The Arbors Assisted Living Communities' Veterans Liaison Patrick Yngstrom encourages all Long Island Veterans to take advantage of the pension. As a dedicated Veteran advocate, Yngstrom is offering free counsel to all veterans and their families with questions or concerns relating to exercising eligibility for the increased rates being made available within the VA Aid and Attendance Pension as of 2012.
"I am proud to see the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs implement an increase in benefits for the many men and women who have made sacrifices in serving and protecting our country," said Yngstrom, former Nassau County Director of Veterans Affairs and long-time Deputy Director. "After a two-year freeze on VA benefit increases, it is encouraging to see our government opting to increase veteran aid and support. This is a well deserving, positive step that will help offset the continual rise in healthcare costs that our veterans are faced with today. It also helps make the need for assisted living a more realistic, tangible and obtainable option. Every little bit helps and makes a difference!"
The VA Aid and Attendance Pension provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. It also encompasses individuals who are blind or in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity and offers eligibility for assisted care in an assisting living facility.
The increases reflected between 2011 and 2012 within the VA Aid & Attendance Pension rates on a monthly are as follows:
Eligible Parties: (New Rates for 2012)
A. Surviving Spouse: 2012 Rate/Month = $1,094 (increase of $38/month)
B. Single Veteran: 2012 Rate/Month = $1,704 (Increase of $60/month)
C. Veteran + One Dependent: 2012 Rate/Month = $2,020 (Increase $71/month)
Anyone who would like to speak or meet with Yngstrom is encouraged to contact him at 1-800-249-4959, or email: pyngstrom@thearborsliving.com
About The Arbors Assisted Living Communities
The Arbors is one of Long Island's leading assisted living communities with newly renovated locations in Hauppauge, Westbury, Islandia and Bohemia. Each resident's life at The Arbors is enriched through a distinctive approach of compassionate and comprehensive care coupled with a fulfilling recreation program, individualized attention, fun social activities and extraordinary cuisine.
The Arbors is home to more than 150 veterans and offers a signature Heroes Welcome Program in which all veterans, surviving spouses, children and grandchildren of veterans may receive a discount of up to 20percent off monthly rates. For more information about The Arbors, visit www.thearborsassistedliving.com, 1-800-249-4959.