Cona Elder Law Attorneys Earn Accreditation From Department of Veterans Affairs

February 2009

Law Firm Now Able To Help Veterans Obtain Aid & Attendant Benefits

Two attorneys from Cona Elder Law (Cona Elder Law), a Melville, LI based elder law and estate planning firm, have recently passed the stringent requirements to become accredited by the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Jennifer Cona, Esq., managing partner and Melissa Negrin Wiener Esq., senior associate, can now prepare, present and prosecute claims for veterans’ benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Cona Elder Law is the second law firm on Long Island to earn this accreditation.

To maintain their accreditation, the attorneys are required to take classes covering the specific regulations that are unique to the Veterans Administration. A qualifying continuing legal education course by any State bar association for a minimum of three hours must be completed within one year of their accreditation. They must also submit annual certification of their good standing at every court, agency or jurisdiction they are admitted to or authorized to appear.

Cona Elder Law is currently helping war veterans complete the complex forms to obtain pension benefits through the Aid and Attendant program. This benefit, in addition to the regular pension, helps elderly veterans, their spouses and widows pay for the high costs of a caregiver to assist them with daily living activities (i.e., dressing, bathing, feeding) at home or in an assisted living facility.

“Because our goal is to advocate for seniors by providing full service elder law and estate planning services, this accreditation and knowledge of a new area of the law expands our credentials” notes Ms. Cona.

Cona Elder Law, is a Melville, LI based law firm in practice for over 30 years. The firm provides a full range of elder law and estate planning services under the direction of Jennifer B. Cona, Esq. Cona Elder Law has been featured in print and broadcast media including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsday, L.I. Business News, Reader's Digest as well as WNBC-TV, CNNfn, News 12, WLNY-TV, News 55, WFAN and other radio programs.