Where to find the right information about financial resources for veterans’ home care can be a challenge, especially if you’re not used to researching this kind of information. One of the most overlooked programs that could provide a veteran or a veteran’s surviving spouse care at home is the Aid and Attendance benefit that is available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Unfortunately, Aid and Attendance is not well known among elderly people who are eligible for the benefit let alone their family members who assist them.
However, some people researching long-term-care options will hear about the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit either at an adult day care facility, a home care agency, retirement community or an assisted living facility.
The next step is to learn more about the veteran’s military service and get reliable information.
If the veteran was injured or disabled as a result of military service, he or she should apply for VA Compensation. If the veteran has a disability that is not connected to military service, he or she still may qualify for a VA Pension.
Aid and Attendance is an additional benefit for those entitled to a basic pension or compensation but who are also housebound or who require the aid and attendance of another person in order to perform activities of daily living. In other words, in order to receive Aid and Attendance, a veteran or his surviving dependent must be entitled to either a VA Pension or VA Compensation.
Sometimes Aid and Attendance is known as “Special Monthly Compensation” or “Special Monthly Pension” or “Improved Pension.”
Another tip is to know the difference between the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). If you’re looking for financial resources, such a VA Pension with Aid and Attendance, you’ll want to contact the VBA. The VHA provides health care at 1,245 health care facilities. Often VHA medical staff are unaware of Aid and Attendance and the other available VBA benefits.
Fortunately, there are financial resources for veterans’ home care, incontinence supplies, adult daycare, medical alert bracelets and more. To find out who is be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, how to apply, and even organizations that would help with the application process, visit these websites:
Make sure that when you contact an organization that they don’t charge you for information or with assistance in applying for the Aid and Attendance pension. For example, Veterans Home Care, is a private company that matches veterans and their surviving spouses with an ideal home care aid and agency. Veterans Home Care helps veterans and their surviving spouses with the application process and ongoing compliance for the VA Aid and Attendance Pension at no charge.
Our VetAssist® Program can help you apply for the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit and access the home care you need. For more information and to learn about The VetAssist Program, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075
