The Veteran Affairs Aid and Attendance benefit is a valuable resource for veterans and their families that provides financial assistance to help cover the cost of daily care. If you are a veteran or a loved one of a veteran, such as a surviving spouse, and you need help performing essential activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing or using the bathroom, dressing, eating, or moving from one place to another, you may be eligible for Veteran Affairs Aid and Attendance.
If you are unsure whether or not you qualify for this particular VA benefit, we highly suggest taking time to familiarize yourself with the eligibility criteria and the Aid and Attendance application process.
Below, we have answered some of the most common questions regarding Aid and Attendance, but if you have questions about your specific situation, we encourage you to seek the support of a Veterans Service Organization representative or an accredited attorney or claims agent. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has excellent resources that walk you through how to get help.
Q: What is Aid and Attendance?
A: Aid and Attendance is provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is part of the VA pension benefits that are available to eligible wartime veterans and their survivors. VA Aid and Attendance benefits are provided on a monthly basis to support veterans and their families whether they require care in a nursing home or another medical facility or directly at home.
If you are eligible, the Aid and Attendance amount is added to the amount of your monthly VA pension and eligibility is not contingent on a service-related disability.
The specific VA Aid and Attendance amount varies based on factors such as marital status, family involvement, and the level of care that is required. For example, if you are a veteran who is single and must stay in bed for the majority of the day due to an illness, you generally will qualify for a smaller amount than another veteran who has loved ones in need of care.
Q: Am I eligible for Aid and Attendance?
A: If you are a veteran trying to find out if you are eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits, you must answer “yes” to at least one of the following:
- Do you require the assistance of another person to perform ADLs such as eating, taking medication, using the restroom, bathing, getting dressed, etc.?
- Are you unable to get out of bed, or do you spend the majority of your day in bed because of an illness?
- Are you a patient in a nursing home because of a disability that caused you to lose specific mental or physical abilities?
- Do you have significant vision impairment? According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you must also have only 5/200 or less in both eyes even with glasses or contacts or concentric contraction of the visual field to five degrees or less.
Also, your financial status plays a role in your eligibility for VA Aid and Attendance. With VA income limits for Aid and Attendance in place, the Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees only veterans and their loved ones who need financial support for care actually qualify for it. If you qualify, your VA pension income limit, also known as the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR), is determined based on your status: single, married, and/or have family who rely on you for financial support, and if you receive Aid and Attendance, it can also impact your overall income limit.
Q: I’m a surviving spouse of a veteran—am I eligible for Aid and Attendance?
A: To be eligible as a surviving spouse, the following conditions generally need to be met:
- You must be eligible for the VA’s Survivors Pension.
- You must require assistance with at least two ADLs.
- You must have been married to a veteran at the time of their passing and not remarried, unless it was to another wartime veteran.
Q: How can I apply for Aid and Attendance benefits?
A: Once you determine that you are eligible, the Aid and Attendance application process can be completed and submitted by mail or in person at your closest VA regional office. (For the required form, mailing address, or how to find an office near you, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.)
In addition to completing the specified form, particular documentation is required to ensure you are eligible, such as a doctor’s sign-off; an explanation of your illness, injury, or disability; as well as any other supporting information for your claim.
Q: Is Aid and Attendance worth it?
A: If you qualify for Aid and Attendance then it is completely up to you to decide if it’s worth it or not—especially when it comes to your financial status and personal care needs or those of a family member. As you age, your everyday needs can amplify or change, making the cost of your daily care rise too. The Aid and Attendance VA benefits allow you to focus on your well-being or your loved ones’ well-being instead of worrying about a pile of hefty medical bills for care at home, in assisted living, or in another form of long-term care facility.
Remember, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website is an excellent resource to use as you navigate this process, and the sooner you get started the sooner you could be receiving the assistance you need for your finances, and most importantly, your health.
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