The Aid and Attendance Benefit is a pension program made available through the VA that can help qualifying veterans pay for home care services, when it is needed. This particular pension was developed following World War I.
Initially, it was intended to help injured and disabled soldiers returning from battle get the support and care they needed at home. Through the years, though, it expanded to provide financial support to veterans of all ages, whether they were injured or disabled during their time of service. It also provides support to veterans who never saw direct combat, but who served at least one day of active duty service during an official time of combat.
Unfortunately, not many veterans know about this particular pension. So why is that? It could be due to several factors.
Home care is not a common need.
Not every veteran is going to require a home care aide, visiting nurse, physical therapist, or some other professional coming to their house. When people don’t need these types of support, they don’t think much about them. When they don’t think much about them, they’re not going to be thinking about the cost or how they could possibly pay for it in the first place.
If veterans don’t see the need for home care, at least until it is absolutely necessary as they get older or face some type of injury or disability, they certainly aren’t going to be worried about how to pay for something they don’t think they will ever need, and they don’t pay attention to pensions like this.
It may be difficult for some veterans to admit to their own limitations.
This is especially true as people get older. When they were extremely strong and healthy in their younger years, they felt invincible. However, as people get older they will lose strength. That loss of strength will affect balance. That loss of balance can affect their safety and ability to do many things.
For some veterans, especially those who have a great deal of pride, it’s not easy to admit they are suddenly facing various limitations and other challenges.
There’s also not a lot of marketing for this pension.
You don’t see commercials advertising the Aid and Attendance Benefit. You don’t see ads on social media sites or other websites. If people don’t see information about something when they’re not actively looking for it, then it never crosses their mind.
This is one reason why it’s so important for everyone, when they learn about this and other important pensions, share it with veterans they know and encourage them to spread the word.
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.
