Many family members are unaware of the “VA Aid and Attendance” benefit for Veterans and surviving spouses.   This benefit applies to veterans and surviving spouses that require continual assistance of another person for basic daily activities.  Things like, bathing and dressing, preparing meals, taking medications and other normal activities of everyday living.

The benefit is available to those that reside in personal care homes, assisted living communities and nursing homes.  It is also available for those that are receiving professional care services in their own home.

To qualify for these benefits, the veteran with 90 days consecutive active duty service with at least 24 hour period during active war time.    These would be during a declared period of war.  World War 2, Korea, and Viet Nam.  The veteran does not have to have served in combat or overseas, but has to be serving during the declared periods of war.  The surviving spouse of a veteran can apply for benefits, and a spouse of a surviving veteran can also apply even if the veteran does not need care.

In addition to service requirements, there are medical and financial needs that must be met.

The applicant must provide proof showing that he/she requires daily assistance with tasks due to illness, injury or mental capacity.  This proof should be given in a written statement by the applicant’s physician.

There are also income qualifications that will determine the amount of pension that you will receive.  The income is determined from all sources and compared to out of pocket medical costs.  The medical costs include everything from unreimbursed medical expenses including insurance premiums and the cost of care while living in a personal care home, assisted living community or nursing home.  There is no specific limit on how much net worth a veteran and his dependents can have, but the net worth cannot be “excessive.”  The net worth is determined on a case by case basis.  In most cases, the VA does not consider assets like family home or vehicles.

Payment are made directly to the veteran, never to the care facility.   The veteran must be paying for care before one can apply.  The VA process is very slow, and can average 90 days from the time you apply to the time you receive benefits.  The benefits are deposited in the same account where the Social Security Checks are deposited.

To apply for benefits:

www.va.gov and use the veteran’s online application.  Or contact your local VA office.