About the Course
Introduction
This CLE course will provide elder law attorneys an in-depth analysis of critical rules and requirements for obtaining VA non-service connected pension benefits. The panel will guide counsel on overcoming challenges in filing claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits, navigating the appeals process, and issues that arise when obtaining VA non-service connected pension benefits in conjunction with Medicaid.
Description
Veterans typically file for VA disability benefits for injuries or illnesses resulting from active military service. Under certain circumstances, nonservice-connected benefits are available for other disabling conditions (VA pensions). Elder law attorneys must grasp the rules for acquiring these benefits and their impact on Medicaid planning.
VA pensions assist veterans with disabling conditions not related to military service. Benefits are available under either the Basic Veterans & Survivors Pension, Aid & Attendance, or Housebound Pension. Applicants must meet strict eligibility requirements to qualify for VA pensions. Also, any denial of claims can result in a time-consuming appeals process.
For those who are eligible for Medicaid benefits, elder law attorneys must weigh a variety of factors when considering VA pensions and their impact on Medicaid eligibility.
Listen as our panel discusses challenges in filing claims for non-service connected pension benefits and practical techniques for handling appeals.
Presented By
Mr. Arkin is an elder law attorney with Solkoff Legal, P.A. in Delray Beach, serving older adults, people with disabilities, and the caregivers and families who look after them throughout Palm Beach County and South Florida. His practice covers the full range of elder law: Medicaid and long-term care planning, asset protection, special needs planning and special needs trusts, estate planning with wills and trusts, incapacity planning and advance directives, public benefits, and veterans benefits. Since 2020 Mr. Arkin has presented ten national CLE webinars for Strafford on Medicaid planning, personal services contracts, income-only trusts, special needs trusts and the SECURE Act, and VA pension planning. He teaches regularly for Elder Law College, where he is an Ambassador and faculty member, and has spoken for The Florida Bar Elder Law Section, the St. Thomas University Elder Law Symposium, and The Arc of Florida. Mr. Arkin serves on the Executive Committee of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys (AFELA), where he served as Treasurer in 2025 and serves as Secretary in 2026, and co-chaired AFELA’s 2026 Sam Boone Mid-Year UnProgram & Legislative Update. He is also a member of the leadership of the Florida Joint Public Policy Task Force for the Elderly and Disabled, the joint legislative effort of AFELA and the Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar.
Ms. Elrod-Hill works with families to help them protect what is most important to them by counseling and guiding them to create estate plans and trusts designed for their very specific family needs.
Ms. Markovich is a renowned expert on Medicaid planning and eligibility issues and guidelines for both VA Pension, commonly called VA Aid and Attendance and VA Compensation benefits. She is a sought-after speaker on these issues and often speaks to groups of fellow attorneys, financial planners, CPAs, and other professionals about the qualification of clients for both Medicaid and VA benefits.
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This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
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Date + Time
- event
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
- schedule
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
- VA nonservice-connected pension benefits
- Eligibility and requirements
- Filing claims
- Navigating the appeals process
- VA forms
- Retroactive payments
- Fees for attorneys
- Impact on Medicaid planning
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- What is the difference between VA disability benefits and VA pensions?
- What are the requirements and challenges in filing claims for VA non-service connected benefits?
- What are the most effective tactics for mastering the appeals process?
- How can VA non-service connected pension benefits be obtained in conjunction with Medicaid?
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