Our team at United Veterans Assistance has compiled this article to offer clarity on the topic of Aid and Attendance benefits from the VA.
If you’re a veteran and have reached 65 years or older or meet disability criteria, you may be eligible for the United Veterans Assistance Aid and Attendance.
But, like most veterans, you don’t know where to start.
There’s conflicting information everywhere, and claiming assistance seems complicated and out of reach.
The good news: we’ve condensed the information you need into this guide, on our website Unitedveteransassistance.com so you can get started confidently and apply for Aid and Attendance.
We’ll cover the following:
- What Aid and Attendance entails
- If you may be eligible and how to apply
- What kind of payments you can expect
- How to get started today
- Who you can talk to for veterans assistance
United Veterans Assistance’s Guide for Aid and Attendance Benefits
If you have any questions while reading this article, call or message United Veteran’s Assistance for personal help.
What is Aid and Attendance?
A) Aid and Attendance Isn’t a Program (Technically)
First, we must bust a common misunderstanding.
There is no program called Aid and Attendance.
The phrase became a popular name instead of using Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension.
Aid and Attendance Benefits is a medical rating that can qualify a claimant for a monetary add-on to VA benefits like VA disability, DIC, and Veterans and Survivors pension.
The Aid and Attendance add-on is an additional tax-free payment. It is intended to help with medical expenses as senior citizens age or as veterans live with severe disabilities.
Depending on your assistance, it may cover assisted living, care providers, nursing homes, and more.
B) Why the Confusion?
Guide for Aid and Attendance Benefits Program became a common name for the pension program because most veterans have the add-on benefit.
Since a veteran’s income reduces their benefits, it can be difficult to qualify for benefits.
However, Veterans with a rating for Aid and Attendance can reduce their countable income by deducting certain medical expenses from their total income.
Any veteran’s income will reduce the benefit dollar for dollar, so a healthy individual rarely has an income low enough to allow for a benefit.
Because most veterans need an Aid and Attendance rating to receive Veterans Pension, the entire benefit came to be known as Aid and Attendance Program.
*For the purpose of this article, we will continue to use the term Aid and Attendance.
“While claimants often experience 12-18 months until acceptance (and often receive less than entitled), we average 2-4 months!”
Who is Eligible for Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is an amazing benefit for our veterans, but first, verify if you are eligible for the assistance.
Eligibility Depends on the “Three M’s”
1. Military
- You’ve served up to 90 days total of active duty (and one day during a period of war)
- You have been discharged (not including dishonorable)
- Active duty is not required, and you can combine different service periods to meet your 90-day parameters.
Recognized war periods are as follows:
- 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; for those who served in the Republic of Vietnam, dates are November 1, 1955-May 7, 1975
- Gulf War: August 2, 1990-TBD (*Veterans need to have served at least 24 months or completed their assignment)
2. Medical
The veteran or spouse must have medical needs that require regular assistance from a third party.
The VA determines this through a doctor’s exam (VA form 21-2680) and usually grants the Aid and Attendance rating if they need assistance with two activities of daily living or a specific qualified diagnosis.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) include eating, drinking, showering (including stand-by assistance), ambulating, transferring, toileting, personal hygiene (including reminders for it), and more.
Along with ADL limitations, mental diseases like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s qualify the veteran.
3. Money
Aid and Attendance benefit amounts also depend on the income and resources the veteran already has.
- Asset limit is $150,537
- Income reduces the benefit dollar for dollar
- Income can be deducted with medical expenses
While a veteran may feel their income may be too high, with deduction abilities based on medical expenses, they might be entitled to full benefits.
How to Get Aid and Attendance Approval
It can be tempting to start with the application process. But we don’t recommend jumping in without the right help.
The process can be tedious, time-consuming, and involve multiple forms. The smallest mistake can result in long delays and reductions in benefits.
If you partner with the right team, you can complete your process in a reasonable timeframe and get the support you deserve. At United Veterans Assistance, we can help you with this process.
A). What Documents are Needed to Apply for VA Benefits?
Every claimant is different. Depending on their needs and eligibility, it will require different VA forms.
Veterans or surviving spouses can expect to fill out numerous forms and evidence of medical, financial, and military status to support their claims.
In addition to specific forms per situation, all claimants can expect to need the following documents: DD214 Separation papers, recent bank statements for all accounts, and 1099s for all sources of income.
The claimant must provide a marriage license or certificate if the claim involves a marriage. A surviving spouse would also need to include their spouse’s death certificate.
Claims can take a very long time. The VA Assistance is processing many claims simultaneously, and they are very overworked which leads to long delays.
You can speed up the process by submitting a Fully Developed Claim – which the VA prioritizes and puts at the head of the line.
United Veterans Assistance helps you develop this claim by getting everything you need at once – done accurately and meeting VA expectations.
While claimants often experience 12-18 months until acceptance (and often receive less than entitled), we average 2-4 months! The difference can mean everything when it comes to your health and livelihood.
B). Can a Spouse of a Veteran Get Aid and Attendance?
Yes, a surviving spouse of a veteran can get aid and attendance.
The surviving spouse must have been living with the veteran during their marriage and not remarried after (exceptions apply). This and some additional requirements should be met for the benefits. Contact Us to learn more.
What Kind of Monthly Payments Can I Expect?
Payments will depend on your situation, like your current pension and medical needs.
Maximum monthly payments range from $1,432 to $3,536.
What Can Veterans Aid and Attendance Money Be Used for?
Aid and Attendance is designed to support veterans with disability and medical costs as they age or struggle to perform daily tasks.
Getting Started Today
Don’t hesitate to start immediately if you believe you are eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit. As a veteran, your sacrifice should be honored, and you deserve to be taken care of.
You can get started by applying for the benefit. Or, contact United Veterans Assistance, to help you with the process, speed it up and maximize benefits.
United Veterans Assistance: What We Do
United Veterans Assistance was established by experts in the long-term care community. We assist veterans like you with the complexities of the Aid and Attendance application process.
It’s not always easy, and you shouldn’t be left alone to figure out how to navigate the VA maze by yourself. We help you through the entire application process and provide the way for a better, peaceful retirement or living condition.
If you are interested in starting your application for Aid and Attendance, Click Here to get started.
United Veterans Aid and Attendance Fact Sheet
Below is a quick summary of the program that you can reference when going back to the this guide for Aid and Attendance benefits.
1. What is Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is an additional benefit to the basic pension plan for veterans and focuses on medical expenses. It is a component of Veterans Pension, though these days, most people call the whole program Aid and Attendance.
2. Would I be Eligible for Aid and Attendance?
You may qualify if you are a veteran and have medical needs due to limitations. Review this guide for Aid and Attendance Benefits to learn more.
3. How Much Veterans Assistance Can I Get?
It’s possible to receive $1,432 to $3,536 per month .
*The Aid and Attendance add-on and Veterans Pension are always subject to change. Please refer to the VA for the most current information. Or, Contact Us for questions. United Veterans Assistance is a private company and is not affiliated with, or recognized by the Veterans Administration or any government organization. Only the VA can determine who is eligible for Veterans Pension.