Veterans Aid & Attendance benefit helps pay for care in your home, independent living, assisted living, or in a nursing home
Veterans Aid
There is a little-known benefit administered by the U. S. Veterans Administration that will pay for long-term care benefits to qualified veterans, their current spouses, or an unmarried surviving spouse.
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If you meet the following requirements for the Aid and Attendance pension you can receive a tax-free monthly benefit of up to:
Married Veterans
$ 2,230
Single Veterans
$ 1,880
Current Spouses
$ 1,466
Surviving Spouses
$ 1,210
Qualifying For Veterans Aid & Attendance
Military Service
Periods of War
World War II: 12/7/1941 - 12/31/1946
Korean War: 6/27/1950 - 1/31/1955
Vietnam War: 8/5/1964 - 5/7/1975*
Gulf War: 8/2/1990 - Present
Period of Service
90 days of service with a least 1 day during the war
90 days of service with a least 1 day during the war
6 months of service with a least 1 day during the war
2 years of service with a least 1 day during the war
*The start date for Veterans serving "in country" is 2/28/1961
An individual must be either a Veteran, the current spouse of a Veteran or the unmarried spouse of a deceased Veteran who, with limited exceptions, never remarried.
The Veteran must have:
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Been honorably discharged
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Served during a period of declared war (whether in combat or not)
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Served for a minimum period of service
Medical Needs
In order to qualify under the Medical Needs:
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An individual under age 65 must be permanently and totally disabled.
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An individual over the age of 65, the current spouse of a Veteran (who may be under age 65) or the unmarried spouse of a deceased Veteran (who may be under age 65) need not be permanently and totally disabled, but must meet at least one of the following health requirements:
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Blind or nearly blind
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In a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity
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Needs the daily assistance of another individual with at least 2 of the following Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) ie. Medication, Bathing, Dressing, Using the Restroom, Transferring, Eating
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Has a mental condition that requires daily supervision or must be in a protected environment
Income Test
There are ways you can plan so that you receive the full benefit to help pay for care.
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The formula for determining whether an individual meets the Income Test is almost impossible to understand.
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The VA will look at the Total Income of an individual including, if married, the income of the spouse and compare that to the individual's total Unreimbursed Recurring Medical Expenses (URME).
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If the individual's total Unreimbursed Recurring Medical Expenses is close to or exceeds total income, the Veteran, spouse or widow(er) should qualify for the applicable maximum Aid and Attendance benefit.
This is an area where we can be of assistance. We can help you meet the Income Test before you apply for the benefit. There are ways you can plan so that you receive the full benefit to help pay for care.
Asset Test
Veterans Aid divides your assets into two categories:
Exempt Assets and Countable Assets
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The VA will not count any Exempt Assets owned by you or your spouse.
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An individual or a couple can not have more than $127,061 (2019) in Countable Assets.
Exempt Assets
Your home, including up to 2 acres of land surrounding the home.
Exempt Assets
A car (any make or model)
Exempt Assets
Personal effects suitable to and consistent with the Applicant’s mode of life
Exempt Assets
Certain final expense and burial plans
Countable Assets:
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Cash
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Checking & Savings
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CD's
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Mutual Funds
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Stocks & Bonds
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Real Estate
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Business Assets
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All Other Items of Value
Gifts
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The VA may impose a penalty waiting period if you transferred any property for less than its fair value (gifts) during the last 3 years. Commonly referred to as the VA “Three-Year Look Back”.