Planning for VA Aid and Attendance Eligibility

Most veterans are not aware of the eldercare benefits available through veterans’ health care, through state veterans’ homes, or for two disability income programs called Compensation and Pension. One particular program, called Veterans Pension, or more commonly known as the “Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit,” can provide money to pay for home care for veterans.

Aid and Attendance can also be used to pay for assisted living for a veteran or the veteran’s spouse and for nursing home care for a veteran or the veteran’s spouse.

The reason for using “Aid and Attendance” to refer to “Pension,” is that many veterans or their single surviving spouses can become eligible if they have a regular need for the aid and attendance of a caregiver or if they are housebound.

A veteran can receive up to $2,266 per month from the VA for veterans who served on active duty during wartime (i.e., World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, either of the Gulf Wars, etc.). To receive the Pension benefit, a veteran must have served on active duty for at least 90 days during a period of war. Further, there must be an honorable discharge.

Single surviving spouses of veterans who served on active duty also are eligible and can receive up to $1,229 per month from the VA.

If younger than 65, the veteran must be totally disabled. If age 65 and older, there is no requirement for disability. There is no disability requirement for a single surviving spouse.

By planning to qualify for this benefit (there are stringent asset and income tests that restrict eligibility to only a limited group of qualified individuals), Elder Law can help you secure benefits that will allow you to pay anyone, including your child or other relative, for home care services. It can also be used to help you pay for professional care in the home, for assisted living, or for nursing home expenses.

Imagine having an extra $2,127 per month that you did not even know existed! Roughly one-third of people over age 65 in this country have the potential to receive a benefit. Only 5 percent, however, of potentially eligible veterans are actually receiving benefits.

Elder Law provides VA Aid and Attendance planning services throughout New York and Florida, and particularly in the following cities/municipalities and surrounding communities in South Florida near our offices:

• Palm Beach County: Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Highland Beach, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach
• Broward County: Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Margate, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Tamarac, Weston
• Miami-Dade County: Aventura, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, Miami Shores

For more information, contact us today. At Elder Law, we give families peace of mind.