Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefits FAQs

You can receive Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits in addition to your regular VA pension; however, if you are receiving Disability Compensation or other VA benefits, you may not be eligible for both simultaneously.

No, Aid & Attendance benefits are not considered taxable income by the IRS. This means you do not need to report these benefits on your federal tax return, providing you with additional financial relief.

The processing time for Aid & Attendance benefits can vary. Typically, it takes about three to six months from the date the VA receives your application. To help expedite the process, ensure that all your forms are completed accurately and that you provide all necessary documentation. In cases of severe financial hardship or terminal illness, you can request expedited processing.

To apply for Veterans Aid & Attendance, you need to complete VA Form 21-2680, “Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance.” This form must be filled out by your physician. Additionally, you’ll need to submit VA Form 21P-527EZ, “Application for Pension.” Along with these forms, provide documentation of your military service, medical expenses, and financial information. You can submit your application online through the VA’s online application portalor mail it to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365.

Qualifying conditions are those that result in the need for help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, or mobility. If you are bedridden, reside in a nursing home due to a physical or mental condition, or have a significant visual impairment, you may also qualify.

Just like eligibility for Medicaid, eligibility for VA&A uses a 36 month “look-back” period to prevent applicants from transferring valuable assets in anticipation of the need to qualify for benefits. If you transfer assets for less than fair market value during the look-back period, and those assets would have pushed your net worth above the limit for benefits, you may be subject to a penalty period of up to five years. You won’t be eligible for benefits during this time.

The amount you can receive depends on your current income and medical expenses and will change each year. As of 2024, the maximum annual pension rates are approximately:

• Veteran with no dependents: $27,600 ($2,300 per month)
• Veteran with one dependent (spouse or child): $32,724 ($2,727 per month)
• Surviving spouse: $17,743 ($1,478 per month)
• Married couple (both veterans): $43,791 ($3,649 per month)

Having served during a “wartime period” is one of the VA&A eligibility requirements. The VA recognizes the following periods as wartime:

• 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 those who served in the Republic of Vietnam) or August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 (for all other service)
• Gulf War: August 2, 1990 – present

To be eligible for Veterans Aid & Attendance, you must meet the following criteria:

• Military Service: You or your deceased spouse must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period.
• Health Requirements: You must require assistance with daily living activities, be bedridden, reside in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, or have limited eyesight.
• Financial Criteria: Your net worth must fall within the VA’s limits, which consider your medical expenses and dependents.From December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, the net worth limit to be eligible for Veterans Pension benefits is $155,356. The net worth calculation includes your and your dependent’s assets and income for VA purposes.

Yes, Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits can be used to pay for in-home care. This includes the costs of caregivers who help with daily living activities, medical expenses, and home health services. The goal of the VA&A pension is to provide financial support to veterans and surviving spouses, ensuring they receive the necessary care regardless of whether it’s at home or in a facility.

Veterans Aid & Attendance is an additional monetary benefit provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans and their surviving spouses. It helps cover expenses related to long-term care, such as assisted living, nursing homes, or in-home care. You may qualify for VA&A in addition toyour standard VA pension benefits.