Richmond VA Pension Attorney

Location of the Battle of Richmond during the Civil War. Located in Richmond proper where many seniors require VA pension services.

At Elder Law Guidance, we proudly serve the veteran community in Richmond and throughout Madison County, helping families qualify and receive VA pension benefits. With deep roots in military service, our team understands firsthand the values of duty, family, and commitment, and we bring that same respect and integrity to every case.

The VA Pension program helps veterans and surviving spouses cover the cost of care when income or savings fall short.

The median income for senior households here is about $52,000, which means many veterans and surviving spouses qualify for some level of pension support under current VA guidelines.

Since 2015, Elder Law Guidance has helped Kentucky veterans and their families protect what they have worked for. With a background in military service and community leadership, we know the challenges veterans face and the importance of securing benefits with dignity. 

Our education-first approach confirms that every veteran and spouse understands their options before making important decisions about care, income, and legacy.

Understanding VA Pension and Who Qualifies in Kentucky

The VA Pension is a needs-based program that provides monthly, tax-free payments to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who meet certain service, income, and asset criteria. It is designed to help cover the rising cost of care, especially for those who need assistance with daily living, in-home support, or assisted living services.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2024), to qualify for the VA Pension, a veteran must have:

  • Served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period.
  • Been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Limited income and assets, generally below the VA’s annual net worth limit of $155,356 for 2024.

Our VA Pension Services in Madison County 

Our VA Pension and veterans’ benefits services in Richmond and Madison County include:

scott-collins talking to elderly client

Get Trusted Legal Support Today

For straightforward legal advice and representation, contact Elder Law Guidance. Call (859) 544-6012 to schedule your consultation.

Schedule A Consultation

What Sets Elder Law Guidance Apart

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At Elder Law Guidance, we help Richmond and Madison County families handle VA Pension planning with clarity  and real-world experience

  • Veteran-Led Perspective
    Founded and staffed by professionals with military service backgrounds, giving us firsthand understanding of veterans’ values and challenges.
  • Proven Experience Since 2015
    A decade of helping veterans and surviving spouses qualify for Aid & Attendance, protect assets, and coordinate benefits with confidence.
  • Education-First Approach
    We empower families through free consultations and live webinars that explain eligibility, documentation, and planning options.
  • VA-Accredited Legal Team
    Every claim is prepared in compliance with VA and Kentucky regulations, allowing for accuracy, timeliness, and peace of mind.
  • Holistic, Team-Based Planning
    Our staff combines legal experience and caregiving insight to address both the technical and emotional sides of elder planning.
  • Ongoing Client Support
    Clients receive continued access, benefit reviews, and legal updates, long after initial approval.
  • Commitment to Integrity and Care
    Every step of our process is guided by the same discipline, respect, and service values we learned through military and community leadership.

About Elder Law Guidance

Founded by Attorney Scott Collins, Elder Law Guidance brings together professionals with backgrounds in military service, ministry, and community leadership, giving us a deep understanding of both the law and the values that define those who serve.

Since 2015, we’ve helped Kentucky families plan for the future, protect their assets, and secure the veterans’ and long-term care benefits they’ve earned. As VA-accredited attorneys, we combine legal precision with genuine care, addressing both the technical and personal sides of every plan.

Our education-first approach empowers clients through free consultations and live webinars that clarify how VA and elder care benefits work together to safeguard income and dignity.

At Elder Law Guidance, we’re honored to serve those who’ve served our country, helping veterans and their families find lasting peace of mind and protection for the years ahead.

What are the Levels of VA Benefits and Who Qualifies for Each

There are three main levels of VA Pension benefits available to eligible veterans and their surviving spouses:

  • Basic Pension: For low-income wartime veterans who meet active service and income requirements.
  • Aid and Attendance: For those who need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or meal preparation.
  • Housebound Benefits: For veterans confined to their homes because of a permanent disability.

Many families in Richmond and Berea qualify without realizing it. Veterans receiving care often become eligible once medical expenses reduce their countable income under VA rules. For surviving spouses, eligibility depends on the veteran’s service record, the spouse’s income, and documented medical needs.

At Elder Law Guidance, we bring both legal experience and personal insight from military service to every VA case. Our team helps clients document eligibility, calculate medical deductions, and structure assets correctly to confirm every application is complete, compliant, and positioned for success.

How We Help Veterans and Surviving Spouses

At Elder Law Guidance, we begin with education. Through our free consultations and live educational webinars, families learn how Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits work, which expenses qualify for deductions, and how to structure assets without risking eligibility. 

Clients who attend a webinar or complete an initial consultation have their first strategy session fee waived.

Our attorneys are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and handle every stage of the process, from gathering documentation and calculating medical deductions to preparing accurate, compliant applications for VA review. 

Our team includes professionals with military service backgrounds, so we approach every case with the respect and understanding veterans and their families deserve.

We also coordinate Medicaid planning and estate planning to make sure all benefits work together for maximum protection. We work closely with these and other providers to keep the legal, medical, and financial aspects of each case aligned and up to date.

Local VA and Veterans Resources in Richmond

  • Berea VA Clinic
  • Lexington VA Medical Center – Leestown Division
  • Lexington VA Medical Center – Troy Bowling Campus
  • Madison County Veterans Service Office
  • Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 55 – Richmond
  • Eastern Kentucky University Veterans Affairs Office

Schedule an Online Consultation

If you or a loved one may qualify for the VA Pension or Aid and Attendance benefit, our team is ready to help. Elder Law Guidance offers secure online consultations for veterans and surviving spouses in Richmond, Berea, and throughout Madison County.

You can meet with our VA-accredited attorneys from the comfort of your home to review eligibility, organize documentation, and understand how VA benefits can work in harmony with Medicaid or long-term care planning.

Begin with a free consultation or educational webinar to learn the basics before applying. Schedule your session or request a virtual appointment through our website, and take the first step toward protecting your benefits and peace of mind today.

The Elder Law Practice of Scott E. Collins, PLLC

Serves residents throughout Central and Southeastern Kentucky

    Bath

    Bell

    Bourbon

    Boyle

    Breathitt

    Casey

    Clark

    Clay

    Estill

    Fayette

    Fleming

    Floyd

    Garrard

    Harlan

    Jackson

    Jessamine

    Knott

    Knox

    Laurel

    Lee

    Leslie

Schedule Now

Not seeing your area? Give us a call at (859) 544-6012

Client Testimonials

S.B. | Richmond, KY

Elder Care Law

“I have been working with Scott Collins’ law firm for a couple of months. They have always treated me with respect and have been very knowledgeable in the Elder Care Law. They calmed all fears that I had during a traumatic time with my elder mother. If you need any legal help in the elder law field I highly recommend this law firm.”

G.C. | Richmond, KY

Elder Law, Trusts, Power of Attorney

“Exceptionally pleased with Scott and his team! They are very patient to explain complex ins and outs of elder law, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Wills, risk assessments, etc. They patiently and carefully guide you through the Trust process, especially those of us unfamiliar with estate planning to achieve what YOU want. They are also willing to work with other estate partners like financial advisors, financial institutions, CPAs and family members in these efforts. We’ve used his services for our parents and now for our estate planning. Scott’s team is trustworthy, professional, thorough, receptive and knowledgeable. We highly recommend them!!”

V.F. | Union City, KY

Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Probate

“I tried to do everything myself and the bills got so overwhelming with parents in assisted living and the nursing facility. I quickly realized I was not going to be able to make the money work so that’s the point I started searching for help ….Scott sat down with us and made us feel very comfortable … we went over the options we had and the things he could help us with…. There was no pressure.”

S.H. | Kirksville, KY

Medicaid Planning, Probate

“We were dealing with a lot of emotions, a lot of really hard times and then you have to worry on top of that if somebody is going to hurt your family more…  I never felt that with Scott and his team … Every time I came in, I felt welcomed and at that time I really needed that because it showed compassion when you’re going through a crazy, Topsy turvy life.”

C.W. | Richmond KY

Veterans Pension, Estate Planning

“I would recommend anyone nearing retirement to talk to Scott and get what needs to be done prepared for the future … A lot of times we think the future is way off, it’s not. I found that out myself.”

B.C. | Irvine, KY

Guardianship, Medicaid Planning

“He was right there with me all the time to help me take care of everything… I had a small farm my mommy and daddy left me, which is the first thing they wanted…. He saved me a lot of things I could have lost if it hadn’t been for him.”

View More Reviews
scott-collins talking to elderly client

Get Trusted Legal Support Today

For straightforward legal advice and representation, contact Elder Law Guidance. Call (859) 544-6012 to schedule your consultation.

Schedule A Consultation