What is the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension?
The Veterans Benefits Administration, a branch of the VA, provides monthly payments to certain wartime veterans with financial need, and their survivors. This pension is available if you (the veteran) or a surviving spouse of a veteran, meet certain criteria.
The Aid and Attendance amount is available for those who need the “aid and attendance” of another person for their routine daily living activities on a long-term basis.
How Does a Veteran Qualify for Aid and Attendance?
A simple way to determine if you are eligible is to start with the three main qualifications or “must-haves” for the VA Pension with Aid and Attendance:
- Military: Are you a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran who served at least 90 days on active duty, at least one day during wartime, with an honorable or general discharge? (Persian Gulf War veterans must have two years of active duty or the full period for which they were called for active duty.)
- Medical: Do you have a non-service-connected medical condition causing you to need assistance with activities of daily living?
- Money: 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. A primary residence and auto are not counted as part of net worth. Ongoing non-reimbursable medical and long-term care expenses may reduce your countable income.
Did you serve during one of the VA Defined War Periods?
- World War II: December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946
- Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950-January 31, 1955
- Vietnam Era: August 5, 1964-May 7, 1975 Veterans who served February 28, 1961-August 5, 1964, must have served “in country” (Vietnam).
- Persian Gulf War: August 2, 1990- date to be prescribed by Presidential Proclamation or law. Must have served active duty for two years or the full period of which the veteran was called for active duty.
Our partnership with Veterans Care Coordination (VCC) enables us to assist you in the following ways:
- AHC will help you determine if you may qualify for the VA Aid & Attendance Pension Benefit.
- AHC will assist you to identify and obtain documents needed to complete the application process.
- AHC will help you complete and submit the application to the VA.
During the time you are awaiting VA approval of your application, AHC will begin providing in-home care services such as: Help with bathing, toileting & dressing, Companionship, Medication reminders, Escorted transportation to appointments and social outings, Grocery Shopping & Errands, Meal preparation, planning and assistance feeding, Light housekeeping including laundry, you will pay the agreed fee while waiting for the application process to be completed. (Discussed with your assigned AHC Advocate.
AHC will monitor your application’s progress and assist with any additional correspondence until your pension is approved.
