Explaining The Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension Benefit

How The Government Can Help With Your Home Care Costs With the rising costs of assisted living and home health care, it’s extremely difficult for many of our elders to receive the care they need. It also places an unusual burden on the spouses of the elderly or other caregivers, many times children caring for their aging parents. What many don’t know is that if your elder is an honorably discharged veteran who is over 65, he or she may be eligible for the VA’s benefit program. Unknown to many, the Veterans Administration offers Aid & Attendance as part of an “Improved Pension” Benefit. Now you may be asking, “okay, what is this “improved pension benefit”? The Veteran Aid website explains the benefit as: ”This Improved Pension allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing, medication dosing, or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an Assisted Living facility also qualifies.” This may be welcome news for families trying to find creative ways to cover home care related expenses, especially in these tough times. But, keep in mind, that there are eligibility requirements. So it is extremely important to research this program to find out if your elder qualifies. Some things you need to know about the program: • This Pension Benefit is not dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. • Single surviving spouses of these veterans are also eligible. • If younger than 65, the veteran must be totally disabled. • There is no disability requirement for a single surviving spouse. • The pension is a tax-free benefit paid directly to the qualified applicant. According to Veteran Aid, a Veteran is eligible for up to $1,632 per month, while a surviving spouse is eligible for up to $1,055 per month. A couple is eligible for up to $1,949 per month (it is still recommended that you contact the VA to verify current Aid and Attendance monthly payments). rnIt is little known programs like these that can help families that are caring for senior members breath a little easier; and after the commitment our veterans have made for us, isn’t this the least we can do? For more information about the Aid & Assistance Program, please visit: VA.Gov