Even though the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit has been around since World War I, and even though more than 182,000 veterans who qualify and their spouses are currently taking advantage of it, administration officials admit that many more veterans are eligible and are just not taking advantage of it. For those veterans who may require some form of home care, or their spouses, having the financial assistance to pay for a home care aide can make all the difference in the world.
How does the Aid and Attendance pension work?
For those who qualify, veterans can be eligible to receive extra pension funds per month in order to help pay for home care. This money could be used to hire a professional caregiver through a home care agency or it can support a family member who is taking care of the veteran.
There are certain criteria that must be met, but it can also help to support a veteran’s spouse and it may even be available to the widow of a veteran who would have otherwise qualified.
What are the basic requirements?
In order to be eligible for the Aid and Attendance pension, the veteran will have had to have served at least 90 days of active duty service in one of the branches of the Armed Forces. This would be the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines. During their time of service, at least 1 day would need to have been during a time of war as designated by Congress. Currently, this stands as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict, and the Gulf War. The Gulf War is currently an open ended campaign and no end date has yet been designated by Congress.
The veteran will need to have been honorably discharged from service. If the veteran or his or her spouse or widow requires some form of home care, they may be able to receive financial support to pay for it through this pension program.
They also would need a doctor to confirm that there is a need for care at home.
It’s important for any veteran or his or her family to know that there are many organizations and individuals who promise to be able to help fill out the application form and advocate on behalf of the veteran to receive this pension, but the VA stipulates that any veteran who pays for help to apply will be denied.
For many veterans who live on a fixed income, the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit can be an important assistance to get the care that they need and deserve at home, and it can also apply to spouses and widows as well.
For more information and to learn about the Veterans Aid and Attendance, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
