Qualifying for VA Aid and Attendance
Veterans' Aid & Attendance Benefits
Did you know that there is a VA benefit available to Veterans and their widows to help pay for in-home care, assisted living or nursing home care?
This benefit will pay $2266 per month to a married veteran who needs care, $1755 per month to a single veteran, and $1230 per month to a widow of a veteran. To qualify for this benefit, the veteran or their widow must meet four requirements:
1. Wartime Service.
90 active days of service, 1 day of which was during a wartime. The following is a list of the qualifying wartime:
February 28, 1961 through May 7, 1975 – Vietnam Era (The above dates are for veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam. If they didn’t, the valid dates are August 5,1964 through May 7, 1975.)
This isn't a disability related to service, that is a different benefit. This is stating that the applicant needs assistance getting in and out of bed, getting in and out of a chair, bathing, dressing, eating, etc. The big bright line test is whether the individual is still driving.
The individual's income must be eaten up by medical expenses to qualify for the full amount. If a person is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, they usually have those costs. However, if a person is still at home, they may not have these costs. In those situations, we may be able to set up a contract to pay a family member (not spouse) or family friend to provide care.
This is the most complicated requirement. The individual or couple may not have more than $129,094 of countable assets. If they have given assets away to get to the $129,000 mark within the past 3 years, there will be a penalty assessed for those gifts.
If you would like to discuss possible eligibility for this benefit, please contact us at liz@durnellmaierlaw.com or (937) 507-9004. Attorney Elizabeth Durnell-Maier is accredited with the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist with these claims.
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