What is Aid and Attendance and How to Apply

Aid and Attendance is a monetary benefit that helps eligible Veterans and/or their surviving spouses offset the cost of care for Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) such as bathing, toileting, dressing, transferring, and meal preparation. This monetary benefit, if the Veteran is eligible, and was a wartime veteran, can help bring some relief to their costs incurred for long term elder care that may take place in home, assisted living communities, or skilled nursing / rehab facilities.

Requirements that need to be met, prior to determining eligibility are:

• Age – The Veteran or Surviving Spouse must be at least 65 years or older
  
• Must be considered wartime veteran. Meaning they have to have served at least 90 days and had been in the military at least 1 day during wartime (not necessarily serve in combat
  
• Veteran cannot have been dishonorably discharged
  
• Veteran or Surviving spouse needs to require the assistance with at least 2 or more Activities of Daily Living listed on the Veteran Aid & Attendance application
  
• If you are a Surviving Spouse, you must have been living with the Veteran at the time of the Veterans passing and single at the time of filing the claim

If the Veteran or the Surviving Spouse meets the above requirements, then the Veteran is welcomed to apply for the Aid & Attendance Benefit. To qualify, the Veteran Administration will look at the net worth of the applicant. Net worth is determined by the value of money in the applicant’s bank accounts, savings accounts, pensions, IRAs, 401ks, etc. They do not look at the value of the applicant’s home or vehicle. In 2018, the Veteran Administration brought into effect the “look back” of applicant’s finances for the past 3 years. The Veteran Administration is looking to see that the applicant didn’t give away or sell any assets that were not fair market value. If this action is found, then there is a period of pension ineligibility. The asset level currently is $123,800. It is suggested that the applicant reach out to the local Veteran Administration office to confirm this information.

When the applicant is ready to apply, it is best to work with someone from the Veteran Administration office. The application time can take up to 9 – 12 months. Working with an advisor can help cut down this time and possibly help maximize the eligible benefit to the Veteran. Contact your local Veteran Administration office to get the most recent forms and to schedule an appointment. There are no costs associated with applying for this benefit.

Thank you to all of the Veterans who have served and protected our Country.