For many aging veterans and their families, the costs of in-home care seem out of reach. Thanks to the Veterans Affairs Non-Service Connected Pension, also known as the Aid and Attendance Pension, qualified veterans and their surviving spouses can receive grants to help pay for home health support.
How do I qualify for the Aid and Attendance Pension?
To qualify for the Aid and Attendance Pension, veterans must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day of wartime service during World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam War. Those who served during the Gulf War must have served two years of active duty. Those suffering from non-service-related medical conditions that cause them to need assistance with the activities of daily living are eligible for the pension. Those with a low income and small amount of assets also are eligible, and homes and cars are exempt from the asset count. Surviving spouses of veterans who meet the above criteria also are eligible to receive the benefit.
VetAssist® Program
Applying for the Aid and Attendance Pension can be confusing and time-consuming. There is a lot of documentation required to prove eligibility, such as discharge papers, proof of all income and net worth, and proof of all medical bills incurred and expected.
The VetAssist® Program was created more than 14 years ago to assist veterans in receiving the benefits they need and have earned. The VetAssist® Program helps veterans gather the necessary documentation, complete, and submit the application to the VA.
As the VA says to expect a 6 to 8 month wait for a determination of benefits, or more if there is a high volume of applications, the VetAssist® Program steps in immediately and provides care. The VetAssist® Program provides an interest-free loan so veterans who need help with activities of daily living such as getting dressed, meal preparation, transportation, and medication reminders can receive the care while waiting for a determination from the VA. The VetAssist® Program also monitors the progress of applications submitted to the VA, helping the veteran or surviving spouse respond to any requests for additional information.
Once a veteran or surviving spouse receives an Aid and Attendance Pension, The VetAssist® Program continues to monitor individual home care schedules and tracks medical expenses to keep in compliance with VA requirements.
At Advanced Nursing & Home Support, we are working with VetAssist® to set up a program to serve senior veterans and surviving spouses in the Maryland/DC metro area. If you believe you or a loved one may qualify for the Aid and Attendance Pension, or you would like assistance seeing if you qualify, contact us by calling (240) 430-1500 or email VetAssist@advancedhomesupport.com.
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