The Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an extremely helpful benefit for our veterans that provides monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified veterans and survivors to help pay for their assisted living care.
An important thing to keep in mind is that eligibility must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application for Pension or Compensation. This may take a couple months to process due to the documentation that is needed. Though it may take time to be fully approved and awarded the benefit, the VA will retroactively pay the amount from the day the application was submitted. The application will require a copy of DD-214 or separation papers, Medical Evaluation from a physician, current medical issues, net worth limitations, and net income, along with out-of-pocket Medical Expenses. Any War-Time veteran with 90 days of active duty, 1 day beginning or ending during a period of War, is eligible to apply for the A&A. A surviving spouse (marriage must have ended due to death of veteran) of a War-Time veteran may also apply. The individual must qualify both medically and financially.
Am I Eligible for Veteran A&A?
You may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program if you meet the requirements listed below.
Both of these must be true:
You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Your net worth includes the net worth of your spouse. Find out about Veterans Pension rates
And at least one of these must be true about your service:
You started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or
You started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime, or
You were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and you hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months
And at least one of these must be true:
You’re at least 65 years old, or
You have a permanent and total disability, or
You’re a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or
You’re getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income
How Is Aid and Attendance Disbursed?
The VA awards Aid and Attendance as a cash benefit. This means that either a check is mailed out or the money is direct deposited into the eligible veteran’s account. The amount awarded changes yearly. Also, depending on whether or not there are dependents, the cash amount can vary. Give us a call today and we can assess how much you or your loved one might be eligible for.
What Type of Care Will A&A Pay For?
Since Aid and Attendance is a cash benefit, it can be used to pay for any type of long-term care. A recipient can use the money to pay for a care home, assisted living, in-home care, skilled nursing, respite care, or anything else that falls under the long-term care designation. Also, the benefit can be used to help pay for medical needs that are related to a recipient’s long-term care needs. It is extremely versatile.
