Upcoming FREE Webinar: REGISTER TODAY Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 4:00 PM EST (Approximately 2 hours, depending on Q & A) Learn to Utilize Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts to Access Medicaid, SSI, DDD  Services and Other Public Benefits to Plan for the Future of Your Child With Special Needs  Attorneys Donald D… read more →

Every year we release the key dollar amounts that are frequently used in elder law, estate administration and special needs trust planning, including Medicaid figures, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income. Be sure to check back often, as we will add any information that has not yet been released and update the.. read more →

The Caregiver Support Program available to Veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) consists of 2 sub-programs: the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS). Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is for.. read more →

All Veterans, their spouses and caregivers can get COVID-19 vaccinations from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under Public Law No: 117-4 (03/24/2021), also known as the Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse Act or the “SAVE LIVES Act.” The SAVE LIVES Act was signed into law by.. read more →

In a recent case, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that service in the state National Guard, including a period of active duty for training, without disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, did not achieve “veteran” status for purposes of non-service-connected survivors pension and burial benefits. Perry v. Wilkie (Court.. read more →

On December 1, 2020, Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. (http://VanarelliLaw.com/) presented at the 22nd Annual Elder and Disability Law Symposium held via ZOOM Webinar by the New Jersey State Bar Association Elder and Disability Law Section and the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Mr. Vanarelli spoke on planning to attain eligibility for pension benefits.. read more →

Every year we release the key dollar amounts that are frequently used in elder law, estate administration and special needs trust planning, including Medicaid figures, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income. Be sure to check back often, as we will add any information that has not yet been released and update the.. read more →

On October 15, 2020, Attorney Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. presented a live Webinar in which attendees learned how to Protect their Assets from the Catastrophic Costs of Probate, Long-Term Care and Nursing Home Expenses. Webinar Topics Included: Care options and typical costs of care in New Jersey in various settings. How to qualify for government.. read more →

 22nd Annual Elder And Disability Law Symposium The COVID Cloud: Pandemic Practice Tips for the Elder Law and Special Needs Practitioner Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. (http://VanarelliLaw.com/) will present at the 22nd Annual Elder and Disability Law Symposium to be held via ZOOM Webinar on December 1, 2020 by the New Jersey State Bar Association Elder.. read more →

You may qualify for VA disability benefits if you have physical or mental health conditions that developed as the result of your active duty service. To receive these benefits, you must file a claim to determine your disability rating. In addition, VA pension benefits are also available to wartime veterans how are aged or disabled.. read more →

 Upcoming FREE Webinar Learn How to Protect Your Assets from the Catastrophic Costs of Probate, Long-Term Care and Nursing Home Expenses Date: October 15, 2020 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time (expected to last approximately 2 hours, depending on Q & A) Attorney Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. will present at the Live Webinar. Don is a.. read more →

The Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018 (Strengthening Protections Act) amended the Social Security Act to allow for the advance designation of representative payees for recipients of Social Security and other governmental benefits. The  Strengthening Protections Act requires the Social Security Administration (SSA) to promulgate regulations specifying the information Social Security beneficiaries.. read more →

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that the widow of veteran was not eligible for VA compensation and death benefits because veteran received a dishonorable discharge. Garvey v. Wilkie (Court of Appeals Federal Circuit 08/28/2020) John P. Garvey served in the Army from 1966 to 1970. After training, Garvey was.. read more →

Millions of Americans manage money or property for a loved one who’s unable to pay bills or make financial decisions. To help financial caregivers, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or the CFPB, worked closely with the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging to prepare four (4) consumer guides: Help for agents under a.. read more →

Many VA Medical Centers across the country are re-opening their doors and expanding services. To ensure the protection of both patients and staff, the VA’s Office of Information and Technology launched the COVID-19 digital pre-entry screening tool. The digital pre-entry screening tool allows Veterans, caregivers, and employees to answer questions on their mobile phones and share their.. read more →

Members of the military may qualify for special tax benefits. For instance, they don’t have to pay taxes on some types of income. Special rules could lower the tax they owe or allow them more time to file and pay their federal taxes. Here are some of these special tax benefits: Combat pay exclusion: If.. read more →

U.S. states offer Veterans a wide range of benefits. State representatives provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with a list of the most popular benefit available to Veterans in each state. Readers can find the list of the most popular VA benefit in each state on the VA website, here: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/76439/veterans-benefits-2020-popular-state-benefit/ A description of.. read more →

COVID Coach is a free, easy-to-use mobile application created for everyone, including Veterans and Servicemembers, to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The app was developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2020. The app connects you to resources to help you cope with stress, stay healthy, stay.. read more →

This promotional video is presented as an introduction to the “Estate and Disability Planning” Video Series Program. “Estate and Disability Planning” is a 4-part video series presented by noted Certified Elder Law Attorney and Accredited Veterans Attorney Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. The video series covers a number of crucial elder law topics for New Jersey.. read more →

Launched in late 2016, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) weekly podcast is a part of its ongoing effort to engage and reach out to Veterans. “Borne the Battle” recognizes each battle, challenge, and sacrifice our Veterans endure during and after their service, as well as spotlighting important resources, offices, and benefits the VA offers.. read more →

Did you know more than 9 million health care appointments made by veterans through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) go unutilized each year due to missed appointments? To increase access to health care for all veterans, the VHA has developed VEText, an interactive mobile solution to remind Veterans of upcoming appointments via text messaging. The .. read more →

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Regional Offices will be closed to the public starting March 19. Regional offices will remain open, but will no longer accept walk-ins for claims assistance, scheduled appointments, counseling and other in-person services. This decision protects our older Veterans and those with underlying conditions as well as our employees. Veterans can.. read more →

Every year we release the key dollar amounts that are frequently used in elder law, estate administration and special needs trust planning, including Medicaid figures, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income. Be sure to check back often, as we will add any information that has not yet been released and update the.. read more →

We are pleased to announce that Donald D. Vanarelli has been recognized as a 2020 New Jersey Super Lawyer in Elder Law. This is the 14th consecutive year in which Mr. Vanarelli has been named to New Jersey’s Super Lawyers list. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have.. read more →

The needs-based pension program from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a disability benefits program available to compensate veterans for non-service-connected disabilities. Like the VA compensation program, the pension program is based upon disability. However, unlike the VA compensation program, the pension program is also based on income and need, and the veteran’s disability.. read more →