Veteran’s Benefit: Aid and Attendance
Aid and Attendance: Little-Known Benefit for Vets
One of the most overlooked financial resources for veterans in need of personal care services is the Aid and Attendance benefit. Offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Aid and Attendance is a monthly, needs-based payment above and beyond the VA pension that can help cover the costs of care.
Aid and Attendance is for veterans who need the aid of another person to safely complete the activities of daily living. Examples can include the need for assistance in getting around, dressing and undressing, eating, grooming, using the toilet, and bathing. Without the ability to perform these tasks on their own, an individual can’t live independently and therefore requires the aid of another individual. A veteran’s need for this benefit doesn’t need to be the result of their military service.
For veterans and surviving spouses who meet VA eligibility requirements, A&A can help pay for the cost of daily senior care, whether it’s provided at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing home.
A&A can pay up to:
-
STATUS
2021 MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT
2022 MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT
2022 ANNUAL BENEFIT AMOUNT
Surviving Spouse
$1,244
$1,318
$15,816
Single Veteran
$1,936
$2,050
$24,610
Married Veteran
$2,295
$2,431
$29,175
Two Married Veterans
$3,071
$3,261
$39,036
This a need-based benefit that veterans have earned through their service but some vets and their families are unaware of the A&A program. By some estimates, although as many as a quarter of today’s American seniors are potentially eligible for A&A, only 5% are enrolled.
If a veteran has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or another form of dementia, Aid and Attendance is typically awarded. This is because the disease usually requires individuals to be in a protected environment to stay safe and well.
The funds received from Aid and Attendance benefits are not awarded specifically to cover the cost of living in an assisted living or long-term care facility, but they can be used for that purpose.
VeteranAid.org explains in clear language how the Aid and Attendance pension works. A veteran with a sick spouse is eligible also. That’s a lot of much-needed money that can be put towards the cost of assisted living, long-term care, or personal care at home each month.
As of 2022, to be financially eligible for Aid & Attendance:
-
STATUS
2021 MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT
2022 MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT
2022 ANNUAL BENEFIT AMOUNT
Surviving Spouse
$1,244
$1,318
$15,816
Single Veteran
$1,936
$2,050
$24,610
Married Veteran
$2,295
$2,431
$29,175
Two Married Veterans
$3,071
$3,261
$39,036
This worksheet will help you calculate “countable income.”
In order to qualify for A&A benefits, a veteran (or spouse) must also meet one of the following criteria:
- Need assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, or adjusting prosthetic devices;
- Be bedridden;
- Reside in a long-term care facility due to mental or physical incapacity
- Have severe visual impairment, with a correction of 5/200 or less in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
Eligibility varies by state, but the benefits can be significant. Contact your local Veteran Affairs office or an elder law expert to determine whether you or your loved one qualifies. Because healthcare benefits and later-life housing are so critical for veterans, it’s helpful to review all the options currently available.
How to Apply
The forms required to apply for A&A benefits can be found on the official VA website. Once you’ve completed the forms and compiled the required documents, you should make copies and keep the originals.
You can find the application form for this program here:
https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
The application and process for A&A benefits can take quite some time to complete. Gathering the necessary paperwork and supporting documents can take families weeks, and it often takes around 9 months to receive approval once the application has been submitted. However, if the applicant is over age 90, you can request expedited approval with your application.
Submitting a complete and error-free application can help speed up the process – you’ll be able to avoid delays that result from needing to gather more paperwork or make corrections. Since applying for benefits can be a complicated and confusing process, many families enlist the assistance of a Veterans Benefits Advisor to guide them through the process.
What Aid and Attendance Does and Does Not Cover
While the A&A benefit does not cover the entire cost of an assisted living facility, it can help pay for some of the services that they provide. This is a boon for a veteran or veteran’s spouse who requires long-term care.
It’s important to note that A&A benefits are paid in addition to the monthly pension amount and won’t be paid without eligibility for the Pension. But since A&A allowances increase the monthly pension amount, people who aren’t financially eligible for a basic pension may become eligible for a pension at the increased rates.
Who’s Eligible
Determining whether or not a veteran is eligible to receive a pension can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding all of the financial requirements.
To be eligible to receive a Basic Pension, a veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one of those days being during active wartime.
Additionally, the veteran must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Be at least age 65 with limited or no income
- Be totally and permanently disabled
- Be a permanent resident in a nursing home facility
- Receive Social Security Disability Insurance
- Receive Supplemental Security Income
This information comes from AssistedLivingToday.com and VeteranAid.org
You can also read more about the program including the rates here:
https://americanveteransaid.com/newblog/va-aid-and-attendance-benefit-rates-for-2022/
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