New Veterans Homes Slated for Fillmore County

August 19, 2021  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

By Cathryn D. Reher, VA certified and Elder Law Attorney

For years, the Minnesota Veterans Homes has sought funding to build additional campuses. There are currently four Minnesota Veterans Homes located in Minneapolis, Fergus Falls, Luverne, and Silver Bay.  Finally, there has been movement with the projected development for a fifth facility in Preston, Minnesota.

Most veterans are not aware that they and their spouses might be eligible for long-term care benefits through federal VA veterans benefits and/or the Minnesota Veterans Homes. I am a VA certified planner and have worked with Minnesota Veterans Homes for 25 years, assisting veterans and their spouses to understand the eligibility rules. I advise on the best approach to protect resources for veterans and their spouses in need of long-term care or wanting to plan as they age.

One of the challenges that has been presented is the wait lists for Veterans Home admission. Thus, part of planning is to make sure that any plan around admission to each Veterans Home location also contemplate qualifying for medical assistance to pay for long term care. Medical assistance laws and policies are much trickier. It is critical any plan for the Veterans Homes also enable qualification or not adversely impact eligibility for medical assistance. 

Finding local counsel with the level of expertise needed to complete technical long-term care planning is not always possible. There simply may not be resources within a firm to commit to this type of law. For veterans and their spouses statewide, I can assist remotely with your long-term care planning needs.