Many veterans across the United States receive a Veteran’s Administration (VA) pension. This monthly benefit is available for veterans who served during certain wartime periods, who meet certain disability or age requirements, and whose net worth and income do not exceed a certain threshold. The benefit is also available to eligible spouses and children of some deceased veterans.
Unfortunately, Tampa elder law attorneys have seen an uptick in the incidence of unscrupulous individuals who are choosing to prey on older veterans who qualify for these benefits. Here’s everything you need to know about “pension poaching” and how to protect yourself from it.
What Is Pension Poaching?
Pension poaching is a fraudulent act of exploitation that targets veterans and beneficiaries who might be eligible for VA pension benefits. This fraud comes in many forms, including:
- Selling fraudulent financial products or services that purportedly help the veteran or beneficiary meet net worth or income eligibility criteria for VA pensions
- Promising pension eligibility for an upfront fee
- Selling overpriced in-home care or care that never reaches the veteran at all
- Cold calling veterans to sell them “assistance” in their pension application.
The common thread of all these scams is that they attempt to collect credit card numbers, bank account information, or other sensitive data from their targets. Victims often see their savings disappear virtually overnight.
Furthermore, following the deliberately bad advice that these scammers offer can actually make it less likely that you will qualify for the benefits you are hoping to receive.
How to Avoid Scammers and Poachers
While the idea that a paid service could make your benefits application go more smoothly might be attractive, you should never pay for assistance when it comes to making a VA pension application. If anyone approaches you, calls you, or emails you offering to sell you services relating to your application, the restructuring of your assets, or the promise of pension eligibility, simply tell them you are not interested and do not give them any information.
Instead, speak to a trusted friend or family member before you make any decisions or take any actions regarding your VA pension benefits.
Certified veteran service officers (VSO) are available to help you free of charge, and they can provide advice and assistance to those wishing to apply for benefits. In addition to your pension application, a VSO can help you with other benefits such as federal health care benefits, survivor benefits, and payment of burial allowances.
What if I Have Already Been Targeted?
If you believe that you have become a victim of pension poaching, or if you suspect that someone has attempted to defraud you in any way, report them to the FTC online or by calling 877-382-4357.
You should also contact an experienced Tampa elder law attorney who can help you understand your options. They can let you know whether it might be possible to recover any of the money you have lost, and they can also provide assistance when it comes to applying for VA pension benefits.
Have Further Questions?
The Tampa elder law attorneys at Ohall Kemper law are here to help with your VA pension needs. For guidance or assistance, contact us at (813) 438-8503.