Paying for senior living and care can be worrisome for many seniors, but for those who are a wartime veteran, there are options available to them or their surviving spouses. Even those veterans with a non-service-related disability may be surprised that they too can receive a VA benefit called Aid and Attendance if they meet other qualifications. When care becomes a need, check out how VA benefits may be able to help pay for it. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
How to apply for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit
The first step in the process is to determine if a senior can receive the VA Aid and Attendance benefit is to apply. Veterans must have been honorably discharged and have served during wartime, which according to the va.gov article, “Eligibility for Veterans Pension,” includes:
- Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917)
- World War I (April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918).
- World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946).
- Korean conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955).
- Vietnam War era for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam (November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975).
- Vietnam War era for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam (August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975).
- Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation).
In addition, veterans must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 65 years old, or
- Have a permanent and total disability, or
- Be a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or
- Be receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.
- Meet the net worth limits detailed in the va.gov article, “Current pension rates for Veterans.”
Note that the application will require documentation of service records which can be requested through the sources provided in the va.gov article, “Request your military service records (including DD214).” Application for the VA pension is available online or at a VA regional office and help is available if needed online or via telephone 24/7 at 800-698-2411, ext. 0 (TTY: 711).
Determine eligibility for the Aid and Attendance benefit program
The second step after receiving the VA pension is to determine eligibility for the Aid and Attendance program to receive the VA benefit for senior living. Every Veteran must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Needs another person to help them perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing, or
- Must spend at least a large portion of the day in bed due to an illness, or
- Is a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability, or
- The veteran’s eyesight is limited to 5/200 or less in both eyes even with glasses or contact lenses, or they have concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
As noted above, the need for care does not have to be related to military service to qualify for the VA benefit for senior living but if it is the VA’s disability compensation program may provide additional tax-free monthly payments.
Apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit program
Although the application for the Aid and Attendance VA benefit for senior living may seem complicated, many of the documents required are the same as those required for the pension application. Required documents include:
- A DD214 (discharge papers) or other separation document, and
- Service treatment records, and
- Any medical evidence related to an injury or illness such as doctor’s reports, X-rays, and medical test results.
In addition, veterans applying for the Aid and Att4endance VA benefit for senior living must provide the following documents:
- Evidence of a physician examination documenting health status.
- A completed VA Form 21-2680 “Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance.”
- A VA form 21-0779 “Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for Aid and Attendance” for veterans who live in assisted living or long-term care.
Application submission
When all forms and documents for the VA benefit for senior living are prepared, they must be submitted in person at the nearest VA regional office or by mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365
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