Senior Living Resources

Veterans Benefit Aid & Attendance Program

This article was written for Brightview Senior Living by Charles Sawyer, president of The Sawyer Group, Inc. The Sawyer Group offers a consultative service at no charge. Contact Charles Sawyer or Jennifer Carnegie at 1-800-276-8043 for additional information.

As the president of The Sawyer Group, Inc. I have been assisting retirees and seniors for over 20 years. I am proud to say that my father was a Veteran of the Korean War. I was also the care taker for my father and am now caring for my mother, a surviving spouse.

My biggest concern was how will we, his children, pay for home care, assisted living or nursing home care? The cost of care can be as much as $8,000.00 per month and can be a heavy burden on ones shoulders.

Since my father was a Veteran I found out there was help. Veterans may be eligible to receive over $23,000.00 per year to help towards their cost of care.

Our family at The Sawyer Group is here to make sure Veterans and their families are aware of the VA pension plan and Aid & Attendance programs.

Following is some information about the Veterans Benefit Aid & Attendance Program that I hope you find helpful.

What is Aid & Attendance?

Aid & Attendance (A&A) is a federal pension program that provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. It can also include individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home. Assisted care in an assisting living facility also qualifies. The applicant must show that while they may not need assistance for everything they cannot function completely on their own.

Who is Eligible for Aid & Attendance?

Veterans or surviving spouses of a Veteran who…

Served 90 days in the service
Served 1 day during war time
Over the age of 65
In need of Aid & Attendance as described above

To qualify for A&A it needs to be established by your physician that you require daily assistance by others for dressing, undressing, bathing, cooking, eating, taking on or off of prosthetics, leaving and returning home etc. You DO NOT have to require assistance with all of these. There simply needs to be adequate medical evidence that you cannot function completely on your own.

What is the Amount of Potential Financial Benefit?

Below are the 2010 pension rates for Veterans and surviving spouses of Veterans needing regular Aid & Attendance:

Veterans with one dependent	Maximum monthly rate $1,949.00
Veteran with no dependent	Maximum monthly rate $1,644.00
Surviving Spouse	Maximum monthly rate $1,056.00

Are There Income Qualifications?

The VA will look at a person’s assets and income. However, the review could also include an evaluation of whether un-reimbursed medical expenses can be deductable from a person’s countable income. In-home care, assisted living and nursing home costs could also be determined to be deductible.

Is There a Process to Prove Eligibility?

Eligibility must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application for Pension or Compensation. (Federal Form 21-534 surviving spouse) (Federal Form 21-526 Veteran.)
The application will require a copy of the veteran’s “separation” or discharge papers. (DD-214) or Statement of Service
Medical Evaluation from a physician is required with any current medical issues
Statement of net worth, net income and out-of-pocket Medical Expenses.

Where Can I Get More Information?

www.veteransbenefitoutreachprogram.com
www.vba.va.gov

What Additional Questions Should I Ask?

Can you apply for the Improved Pension if you are already receiving compensation from the VA?
How long does it take to process the application and get approved?
Is there any way to start the process while I gather all the documents?

Is There Someone I Could Talk To?

The Sawyer Group offers a consultative service at no charge. Ask for me, Charles Sawyer or Jennifer Carnegie. 1-800-276-8043