what is the aid and attendance benefit for veterans

Some key things to know about the Aid and Attendance benefit:

• Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit and is not dependent upon service-related injuries.
• Wartime veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible.
• Certain medical and financial requirements must be met.
• Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, nursing home or assisted living facility.

Full Answer

Who qualifies for VA aid and attendance?

Veterans who served on active duty for at least 90 consecutive days, including at least one full day during a time of war, may be eligible for Aid and Attendance if they also qualify for the basic Veterans Pension and meet the clinical and financial requirements. Service in a combat zone is not a requirement.

What are the requirements for aid and attendance?

This indicates total assets for most nonprofits from:

• Operating activities: (such as unlimited funds received by fundraising operations or premium cash charges)
• Investing activities (such as costs or gains attributable to the acquisition or selling of equipment or other long-term assets)
• Financing activities (such as gains from bond issuance or redemption)

Who qualifies for aid and attendance benefits?

• Age 65 or older
• Permanently and totally disabled (not due to personal misconduct)
• Patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care
• Receiving Social Security disability benefits

What are aid and attendance allowances with VA compensation?

What are Aid and Attendance Allowances with VA Compensation? An aid and attendance allowance is paid to a veteran on claim with compensation of at least 30% or more due to the need of a spouse needing aid and attendance. A form of aid and attendance or housebound income is also available with Service Connected Compensation (SMC).

How much does the VA pay for aid and attendance?

The 2022 Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit rates are: A Veteran with a spouse may qualify for as much as $2,431 per month. A single Veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 per month. A well Veteran with an ill spouse may qualify for as much as $1,608 per month.

How much does the VA pay for aid and attendance 2021?

The 2021 maximum monthly benefits for those qualifying for the Aid & Attendance level of Pension is: Surviving Spouse of a Veteran: $1,244. Veteran with no Spouse or dependent children: $1,936. Married couple where the Veteran requires care: $2,295.

What qualifies you for VA aid and attendance?

What Are the Aid and Attendance Requirements for Veterans? To apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit, you must meet the following military service requirements: You must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one of those days falling during a wartime period. You must have an honorable discharge.

Is VA pension and aid and attendance the same thing?

The VA Aid and Attendance Benefit has various nicknames: VA Enhanced Pension, VA Improved Pension, VA A&A Pension, VA Special Pension, and VA Special Monthly Pension. They all refer to the same thing: the Aid and Attendance benefit.

How much extra Social Security Do veterans get?

For those who served between 1957 and 1977, credits equal $300 for each quarter of active-duty pay. Those serving between 1978 and 2001 receive credits equal to an additional $100 in earnings for each $300 they receive in active-duty pay (total credits may not exceed $1,200 a year).

Which pays more housebound or aid and attendance?

Housebound is based on a higher maximum income level, which is why its pension is lower than that of Aid and Attendance. Connect with us today to find out if you're eligible for the Aid and Attendance pension benefit.

Will the VA pay my wife to be my caregiver?

Spouses, unfortunately, cannot be paid to provide care, as their income is also considered when calculating a veteran's pension amount. However, other relatives, such as adult children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren, can be paid to be caregivers.

Can you get 100 VA disability and aid and attendance?

Aid and Attendance, commonly called A&A, is a form of special monthly compensation that a veteran can be eligible for beyond a 100% rating. Meaning, you can be compensated at greater than 100% rating.

Is VA aid and attendance permanent?

Veterans who meet the following criteria are able to qualify for this additional benefit: The veteran has a single, permanent disability evaluated as 100 percent disabling. The veteran is permanently confined to their home (or immediate location) due to this disability.

Can you get VA compensation and aid and attendance?

Yes. Veterans are eligible to receive both Compensation Aid & Attendance and Individual Unemployability benefits at the same time. You can apply for both benefits at the same time.

Am I eligible for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits as a Veteran or survivor?

VA Aid and Attendance eligibility You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you meet at least one of these requirements. At...

How do I get this benefit?

You can apply for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits in one of these ways: Send a completed VA form to your pension management center (PM...

How long does it take VA to make a decision?

It depends. We process claims in the order we receive them, unless a claim requires priority processing.

What is VA Aid and Attendance?

What Is Aid and Attendance? Aid and Attendance is a VA pension benefit that often goes underused. Let’s look at what the requirements for Aid and Attendance benefits are. Then we’ll go over how to apply for Aid and Attendance and how you can use the cash payout.

How many days of active duty do you need to be in the military to qualify for aid and attendance?

To apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit, you must meet the following military service requirements: You must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one of those days falling during a wartime period. You must have an honorable discharge.

How much is the VA benefit in 2021?

To qualify for Aid and Attendance, your countable income and MAPR must qualify you for a VA pension. Also, this VA benefit has a net worth limit of $130,773 in 2021. If you meet all these financial requirements, you qualify for Aid and Attendance, whether you’re a Veteran or a surviving spouse.

Does non-reimbursable medical pay count towards income?

Non-reimbursable medical payments can also count towards your countable income, reducing it to make you eligible for Aid and Attendance. Your MAPR is the maximum pension amount you can receive, and it depends on how many dependents you have, whether you’re married to another Veteran who’s eligible for a VA pension, ...

Can spouses receive VA Aid and Attendance?

There isn’t a separate Aid and Attendance benefit specifically for spouses, but spouses who receive a VA surviving spouse pension can receive Aid and Attendance. As long as you meet the net worth and income limits for VA Aid and Attendance, you can receive this benefit and use it the same way your spouse would.

What is VA Aid and Attendance?

VA Aid and Attendance is a lesser-known benefit. Aid and Attendance is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to this pension benefit; the term itself is a medical rating that allows for additional allowances in the event that the Veteran or surviving family member is housebound and/or needs the regular aid and attendance of another person.

How much is Aid and Attendance 2020?

Income payments made to Aid and Attendance recipients can vary greatly. In 2020, monthly payments started at $768 and ended at $2,266, depending on the type of claim and the type of medical rating the applicant meets. Generally, income payments depend on the type of claim and the medical rating involved. Many people don't even know of the existence ...

What are the requirements for VA aid?

Final requirements for qualifying for VA Aid and Allowance include income limits. A Veteran’s household income, or that of their spouse, has to be below the Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR) as defined by the VA.

What is considered a period of war for the VA?

The VA defines “period of war” the following way: World War II: December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946.

How much does a disabled veteran earn in 2019?

These are variable, according to your circumstances; for example, a disabled Veteran without any dependents that also meets the “aid and attendance” medical rating can earn as much as $22,939 a year under the 2019-20 MAPR. Rates change all the time, however, so this figure may not always be accurate.

What is the VA net worth limit for 2019-20?

The 2019-20 net worth limit is $129,094, though this limit is increased by a percentage every year that coincides with Social Security’s annual COLA increase. As far as the VA is concerned, a Veteran’s “new worth” is the entirety of a Veteran’s assets plus what the VA calls “income for VA purposes” (IVAP).

Is the life of a US armed service member Veteran easy?

The life of a US armed service member Veteran isn't necessarily an easy one. Veterans and their families face unique challenges. For many Veterans, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is there to provide the support they may need. One of the ways that the VA provides this much-needed support is through a benefits program known as VA Aid and Attendance.

When did the wartime veterans get their aid and attendance?

Congress defines the wartime dates that the VA uses to decide which veterans qualify for benefits like Aid and Attendance: World War II: December 7, 1941 — December 31, 1946. Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950 — January 31, 1955. Vietnam Era: February 28, 1961 — May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period;

How many days of active duty can you get for aid and attendance?

Here are the general guidelines to help you decide whether to apply for Aid and Attendance. Veterans who served on active duty for at least 90 consecutive days, including at least one full day during a time of war, may be eligible for Aid and Attendance if they also qualify for the basic Veterans Pension and meet the clinical ...

Aid & Attendance and Housebound

Veterans and survivors who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment. These benefits are paid in addition to monthly pension, and they are not paid without eligibility to Pension.

Aid & Attendance (A&A)

The Aid & Attendance (A&A) increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount if you meet one of the following conditions:

Housebound

This increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount when you are substantially confined to your immediate premises because of permanent disability.

How to Apply

You may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by submitting the prescribed VA form (s) to the Pension Management Center (PMC) that serves your state. You may also visit your local regional benefit office to file your request. You can locate your local regional benefit office using the VA Facility Locator.

What is a veteran's disability pension?

Disability Pension and Survivors (Death) Pension are Department of Veterans Affairs disability income programs available to veterans or to the single surviving spouses of deceased veterans. The veteran had to have served on active duty at least 90 days with one of those days during a period of war.

What is a medical need rating?

A medical rating or a medical need for this disability care allows certain medical expenses (like assisted living or home care) and ancillary non-medical expenses to be annualized and subtracted from future annual income in order to meet the income test.

Can a non-veteran spouse receive a veteran's benefit?

If the non-veteran spouse of a living veteran has a regular medical need for assistance or supervision, under certain conditions , a benefit (not an allowance) may be available for the veteran that otherwise would not have been available. Allowances are granted for the regular need for "aid and attendance" or if the beneficiary is "housebound.".

Can an older veteran have dependent children?

Typically, an older veteran household will only have dependent children if they have one or more totally dependent adult children living in the home. Or the older veteran may be married to a very young woman. If the household has such a situation, the additional dependent child rates are listed in Table 1 below.

Is a veteran's service in combat required?

Service in combat is not required, only that the veteran was in the service during wartime and was discharged honorably. Charts showing the available amount of income and the dates for wartime service are included below. "Aid and attendance" and "housebound" are medical ratings. Being rated means VA recognizes that an individual needs ...

Can a veteran receive pension and compensation at the same time?

This is for veterans who are disabled because of injuries or illnesses incurred while on active duty. A veteran household cannot receive Pension and Compensation at the same time.

What is the name of the pension called for veterans?

The phrase "aid and attendance" is especially confusing because most individuals have been led to believe this is the name for Veterans Pension or Survivor's (Death) Pension . Unfortunately, the media has chosen to call both forms of Pension "Aid and Attendance.".

What is the second allowance for a surviving spouse?

The second are housebound allowances for a surviving spouse receiving Survivor's Pension. The third is an alternative higher level of payment under SMC Schedule S where a veteran who is totally disabled can get an additional monthly income if that veteran is considered housebound but is not in need of aid and attendance.

Is there such a thing as VA disability?

There is no such VA disability benefit as an "Aid and Attendance Benefit.". When we talk about aid and attendance or housebound benefits with Compensation or DIC or SMC, most people think we are talking about Pension. This is not the case. Aid and attendance and housebound allowances are medical ratings and additional amounts ...

Is there a housebound allowance for disability?

There are no housebound allowances for regular Disability Compensation. The only allowances are for aid and attendance. There are 4 housebound possibilities listed below concerning Veterans Pension, Survivor's Pension, Disability Compensation or DIC for housebound allowances. The first of these are housebound allowances for a veteran receiving ...

Aid & Attendance Allowances for Spouses of Veterans

Gradually increasing allowances for the spouse of a veteran where the spouse needs aid and attendance and the veteran is at least 30% disabled. A different benefit corresponds to each 10% rating increase from 30% up to 100%. See applicable rate table below.

Aid and Attendance or Housebound SMC for Veterans who are Totally Disabled

An income under SMC Schedule L is available for a veteran who needs aid and attendance and is receiving Disability Compensation at 100% disability under a single disability rating.

Is VA disability considered income?

REMEMBER that income is the combined household GROSS income – before deductions – to include a spouse and a dependent child under certain circumstances. Income from VA Disability Compensation IS considered income when applying for Pension. You cannot ignore compensation income for application.

Do you count welfare benefits?

In general, do not count any type of benefit for which eligibility is based on the claimant's financial need, such as Welfare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and savings from prescription drug discounts received under the Medicare Prescription Medication, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA).

Do you count VA pension benefits?

Generally, do not count VA Pension benefits. Also do not count Pension benefits paid as an accrued amount, or burial benefits. However, the amount of VA burial benefits paid by VA cannot be allowed as a deduction from a claimant's income.

Is a VA disability payment countable?

Payments are not countable if they are paid to a dependent of the disabled VA claimant where counting the payments would reduce the disabled VA beneficiary's rate of Pension, and eligibility for the payments is based on the VA beneficiary's financial need.

Can a veteran's gross household income exceed the maximum annual pension rate?

A claimant's gross household income cannot exceed the Maximum Annual Pension Rate for the category of application, such as veteran claimant, survivor claimant, marriage and a rating. There are ways around this income limit. Pension is based on a maximum yearly income amount called the "Maximum Annual Pension Rate" (MAPR), ...

Does VA count payments?

VA will not count payments if Federal law requires that they be excluded from income and/or net worth for purposes of VA benefit calculations, regardless of whether the payment or program is specified in M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, 1.I.3, or M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, 1.I.11.

Is chore service counted as earned income?

The chore services payments are countable earned income since eligibility for the payments derives from the neighbor's financial need and not the financial need of the VA beneficiary. Do not count royalties received for extracting minerals. Royalties are considered to be a conversion of assets.

Aid & Attendance and Housebound

• Veterans and survivors who are eligible for a VA pension and require the aid and attendance of another person, or are housebound, may be eligible for additional monetary payment. These benefits are paid in additionto monthly pension, and they are not paid without eligibility to Pension. Since Aid and Attendance and Housebound allowances increase th...

See more on benefits.va.gov

Aid & Attendance

Housebound

How to Apply