Attorney and veteran benefit expert Catherine Cornell, of The Veterans Practice in Oak Park, will present a free informational seminar titled, “Aid and Attendance,” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at The Oak Park Arms retirement community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.
Cornell will explain the benefits which are available to qualifying veterans, widowed spouses or disabled adult children.
Once awarded Aid and Attendance or Housebound status, veterans may obtain as much as $1,703 a month, surviving spouses $1,094 a month, and existing couples 2,019 a month. In addition to income, they may qualify for free medications, medical equipment, glasses and hearing aids.
“The Aid and Attendance benefit for wartime veterans has helped many senior residents at the Oak Park Arms retirement community with financial assistance,” said Jill Wagner, marketing director for the Oak Park Arms.
Cornell will cover eligibility and how to initiate a claim. For example, the claimant’s physician must declare the veteran as housebound and in need of assistance from another individual which may include services offered by assisted living. Also the veteran must have served at least 90 days active duty with one day of the 90 during a war period.
The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
The event is free and open to the public. Call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.
