About Aid and Attendance Pensions
Aid and Attendance is one part of a 3-tier pension program offered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Those eligible to receive the disability benefit must be limited-income military veterans who served during certain times of war, including the Gulf War, and who currently require assistance, or "aid and attendance," to perform necessary daily functions, such as eating and changing clothes.
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History
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Aid and Attendance is part of the VA's Improved Pension Program, which took effect on January 1, 1979, with the establishment of Public Law 95-588. The updated benefits program allows for increased payments to eligible veterans and their spouses, as well as the surviving spouses of deceased veterans.
The other tiers of the Improved Pension Program are Basic and Housebound. Aid and Attendance offers the highest level of benefits, although eligibility is more restricted and requires extensive medical documentation.
Function
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Aid and Attendance consists of tax-free benefits distributed to honorably discharged U.S. military veterans and their spouses, or their widows or widowers. Beneficiaries must meet eligibility criteria for physical limitations and income level, and the veteran must have served at least 90 days in the military, at least one during a VA-determined time of war. Active combat and a minimum age of 65 are not requirements, however. Approved beneficiaries receive an individually determined monthly benefit that must be used to offset the cost of daily living assistance.
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Applying
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The notoriously difficult Aid and Attendance application process begins with gathering the required documentation to prove identity; military record and discharge; income and assets totaling no more than $80,000, excluding primary residence and vehicle; medical expenses and requirements; and, for surviving spouses, marriage and the veteran's death. If a prospective beneficiary is mentally incapacitated, proof of a legally appointed fiduciary is also necessary.
Next, complete the relevant application forms: VA Form 21-526 (Veteran's Application for Compensation and/or Pension) and/or VA Form 21-534 (Application for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Death Pension and Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child (Including Death Compensation if Applicable)).
Once the application package is ready, make copies of all documentation as backup and mail the package to the applicable regional VA office, preferably by registered return receipt mail for proof it was sent.
Benefits
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If granted, monthly, non-taxable Aid and Attendance benefits are usable for many types of assisted care, including nursing homes and in-home care provided by personal attendants, nurses or family members.
Considerations
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To make the Aid and Attendance application process more bearable, realize that review of the application often takes a minimum of 6 months. Therefore, respond to all requests for additional information quickly to prevent further delay and conduct research beforehand to verify the correct required documentation and application forms.
Given the general lack of awareness of Aid and Attendance pension benefits, if relying on a regional VA office for information, be persistent when employees don't understand exactly what the request is. Ask to speak to a supervisor or another employee until you get the answers you need.
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Comments
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Great information.
