Illinois VA Benefits Attorney

Illinois VA Benefits Attorney

If you or a loved one served in the military and were not dishonorably discharged, please contact an experienced Illinois VA benefits attorney for advice on filing your own claim for benefits.

Federal Benefits  

The federal government offers disability benefits to veterans who suffer from disabilities that were the result of or were worsened by illnesses or injuries that occurred while:

• On active duty;
• On active duty for training;
• On inactive duty training; or
• Receiving VA healthcare.

Those who qualify for these benefits can begin receiving payments to cover medical treatment, as well as rehabilitation costs, and household expenses. Disability pensions, which act as income supplements are also available to veterans who:

• Were discharged from service under conditions that were not dishonorable;
• Served 90 days or more of active duty, at least one day of which was during a period of war time;  and
• Have an income that falls below the yearly limit.

In addition to these requirements, the applicant must also be either permanently and totally disabled or be over the age of 65 years old. Veterans who are so severely disabled that they require regular aid from another person could qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit, which is paid in addition to a monthly pension. These benefits are only granted when a veteran requires the aid of another person to perform personal functions, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding him or herself, or when a veteran is:

• Bedridden;

In a nursing home because he or she is mentally or physically incapacitated; or

• Blind.

Housebound benefits are similar to Aid and Attendance benefits in that they allow veterans to receive payments in addition to a pension, but only if they:

• Have a disability that is rated 100 percent disabling and that leaves them confined to their home, or
• Has a permanent disability evaluated as 100 percent disabling, as well as a second disability that is 60 percent disabling.

Unfortunately, veterans cannot receive both Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time.

State Benefits

Illinois residents who also served in the military can collect additional benefits only offered by the state. For instance, Illinois sponsors the Veterans Care program, which provides healthcare coverage to uninsured veterans. These policies cover doctor’s appointments, both inpatient and outpatient hospital care, lab tests, prescription drugs, vision care, mental health and substance abuse services, emergency medical transportation, and occupational therapy.

Illinois also provides eligible veterans with access to veterans’ homes, which provide a broad range of services and facilities, including skilled nursing

However, only certain veterans are eligible to reside in these homes, including those who:

• Had one or more days of service during a wartime period; and
• Entered military service while living in Illinois or been a resident of the state for at least a year before applying for residency in a home.

Many of the state’s homes provide services specifically to veterans suffering from certain kinds of injuries or illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Call Today for Help with Your Case

If you are a veteran, you may be entitled to benefits from the VA. Please call us at The Comerford Law Office, LLC at 312-863-8572 to learn more from an experienced veterans benefits lawyer.