Aid and Attendance is a frequently used phrase used to describe a benefit that might be available to a veteran as part of the VA's disability pension, or to the surviving spouse of a Veteran as part of the VA's death pension - as long as the veterans served at least 90 days of active duty and at least one of those days was served during war time.
As part of the Veterans Administration's Pension program, the VA offers additional income for veterans and their surviving spouses who are eligible for the VA's base pension, but who also either demonstrate a regular need for the aid and attendance of a caregiver or are what the VA refers to as housebound.
The Pension benefit is a monthly income for disabled or older veterans who have a low income. Pension is for veterans who served during a period of war and who may have disabilities that are not connected to their active-duty service. Unlike Compensation, Pension is based on the veteran's financial picture including household income, as well as assets. When determining eligibility, the claimant's income can be adjusted for un-reimbursed medical expenses. If the veteran's net income after un-reimbursed medical expenses exceeds the Pension amount, then there is no award.
For 2009 the maximum annual benefit for those qualifying for the Aid & Attendance level of pension is:
Surviving Spouse of a Veteran: $12,681
Veteran with no Spouse or dependent children: $19,736
A married Veteran where the Veteran requires care: $23,396
If the Veteran is healthy, but their Spouse requires care, then the Veteran qualifies for a regular pension only: $15,493
From here, a veteran and/or their spouse is able to receive assistance with everyday tasks and it will be paid for. These tasks include simple things such as bathing, taking care of nature when it calls, assistance with food and eating, assistance with getting dressed and undressed, and any other activities that need to be taken care of. Nursing home care is also paid for when the veteran and/or surviving spouse is mentally or physically incapacitated.
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit program is an amazing program that, unfortuneately, isn't as well known as it should be. The fact that it gives veterans the hope of a dignified existence that otherwise wouldn't be available is reason enough to make sure all veterans are aware that it exists. Qualifying for the benefit isn't hard, and with the help of qualified professionals, it can be a painless and simple process.
As part of the Veterans Administration's Pension program, the VA offers additional income for veterans and their surviving spouses who are eligible for the VA's base pension, but who also either demonstrate a regular need for the aid and attendance of a caregiver or are what the VA refers to as housebound.
The Pension benefit is a monthly income for disabled or older veterans who have a low income. Pension is for veterans who served during a period of war and who may have disabilities that are not connected to their active-duty service. Unlike Compensation, Pension is based on the veteran's financial picture including household income, as well as assets. When determining eligibility, the claimant's income can be adjusted for un-reimbursed medical expenses. If the veteran's net income after un-reimbursed medical expenses exceeds the Pension amount, then there is no award.
For 2009 the maximum annual benefit for those qualifying for the Aid & Attendance level of pension is:
Surviving Spouse of a Veteran: $12,681
Veteran with no Spouse or dependent children: $19,736
A married Veteran where the Veteran requires care: $23,396
If the Veteran is healthy, but their Spouse requires care, then the Veteran qualifies for a regular pension only: $15,493
From here, a veteran and/or their spouse is able to receive assistance with everyday tasks and it will be paid for. These tasks include simple things such as bathing, taking care of nature when it calls, assistance with food and eating, assistance with getting dressed and undressed, and any other activities that need to be taken care of. Nursing home care is also paid for when the veteran and/or surviving spouse is mentally or physically incapacitated.
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit program is an amazing program that, unfortuneately, isn't as well known as it should be. The fact that it gives veterans the hope of a dignified existence that otherwise wouldn't be available is reason enough to make sure all veterans are aware that it exists. Qualifying for the benefit isn't hard, and with the help of qualified professionals, it can be a painless and simple process.
About the Author:
To get more details on the Veterans Adminstration Aid and Attendance benefit program and how you can make sure your veteran loved ones are taken care of, please visit Veteran's Financial To get more details and your free, no-cost, no-obligation Aid and Attendance eligibility assessment consultation.
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