The VA Aid and Attendance benefit is a ray of hope for many wartime veterans or their surviving spouses facing senior living costs. This blog from Emory Mills Senior Living explores the benefit, its eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
What is the VA Aid and Attendance benefit?
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit is a pension enhancement provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It is available to eligible wartime veterans or their surviving spouses who require assistance with daily activities or who are housebound.
This benefit is intended to increase monthly pensions to help cover the costs of in-home care, assisted living, or skilled nursing care for those who served during wartime periods.
Who is eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit?
Eligibility criteria:
To qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits, applicants must meet certain criteria set by the VA. These include:
#1 Wartime service:
Veterans must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period. Discharge must be anything other than dishonorable.
#2 Financial need:
The benefit is means-tested, and applicants must demonstrate financial need based on income and net worth limitations.
#3 Medical need:
The individual must meet one of the following conditions:
- Require the aid of another person to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, using the toilet, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment
- Be bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities require that you remain in bed apart from a prescribed course of treatment
- Be a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity
- Have limited eyesight to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes or concentric contractions of the visual field to 5 degrees or less
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How to apply for the Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit
You may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state. You may also visit your local benefits office to file your request or visit va.gov/find-locations/ to find a VA location near you.
The following tips can aid in a smooth application process:
- Seek assistance from a VA-accredited representative who can help you navigate the application procedures.
- Be thorough in your application to avoid delays that can occur from missing information.
- Stay informed about the current thresholds for income and assets, as these can change annually.
Learn more about the VA Aid and Attendance benefit
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit can provide much-needed financial assistance for many wartime veterans or their surviving spouses. Understanding the eligibility requirements and application process is key to accessing this valuable benefit.
The benefit is a way for our nation to honor those who have served by ensuring they receive the care they deserve in their later years.
Learn 5 ways your loved one may benefit from senior living >>
Find compassionate care and specialized support at Emory Mills
Offering a scenic view of the valley with the convenience of city living, family-owned Emory Mills provides assisted living and memory care to older adults. The comforting, secure, and homelike environment supports each individual with personalized care and the specialized and research-based I’m Still Here ® approach to meaningful and purposeful living, also known as The Hearthstone Difference.
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