The tristate area of West Virginia (WV), Kentucky (KY), and Ohio (OH) is home to more than 1.3 million United States (U.S.) military veterans. Those veterans and their families should be aware that there is an aid and attendance benefit available through the US Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) to those who qualify.

Veterans and survivors of veterans who require long-term care and meet the aid and attendance eligibility requirements can receive additional monthly pension payments to cover the costs of veterans' assistance for activities of daily living and other long-term care expenses.

We all have personal preferences, and sometimes we don't really know why we favor one thing over another; we just do. These subconscious inclinations impact our daily decision-making, even at work. West Virginia workplaces are affected by the bias of employees, whether it is intended or not. Unconscious bias in WV should be addressed by employers who wish to maintain a positive, diverse work environment and avoid discrimination and harassment complaints.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are both programs of the Social Security Administration (SSA). While these programs have some similarities, it is important to realize there is a difference between SSI and SSDI, especially if you are preparing your estate plans and Social Security is a possible factor.

In West Virginia (WV), a statutory exception allows employees or their representatives to circumvent workers' compensation immunity and file suit for monetary damages in limited circumstances. These WV deliberate intent claims can be complex and costly. A thorough comprehension of state law and the intricacies of workers' compensation in WV are needed to successfully defend deliberate intent cases.

Medicaid myths and misunderstandings about long-term care coverage and Medicaid asset protection are abundant. The belief that individuals with significant financial means will never need Medicaid coverage and the idea that all assets must be exhausted before Medicaid coverage becomes an option are among these fictions.

Private payment of long-term care can quickly exhaust substantial financial resources, as mentioned in the first blog of this six-part series. But there are legal and ethical ways to preserve resources that allow the person in need of care and the remaining spouse or family to retain a quality standard of living.