The VA Aid and Attendance Benefit and How It Can Help Pay for Senior Living

If you’re a U.S. armed forces Veteran, you’ve probably taken advantage of many of the benefits available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, many Veterans are unaware of a significant benefit that can help pay the costs of senior living expenses for veterans and their spouses.

You never know when an illness or disability may require you to need long-term care. The VA Aid and Attendance benefit can help you pay for senior living expenses.

Here’s everything you need to know about how the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit can help you pay for senior living!

What Does the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit Cover?

The VA Aid and Attendance benefit provides a monthly payment to existing VA pension payments for eligible Veterans and surviving spouses. 

This additional payment can help cover the expense of assisted living, memory care, a nursing home, or in-home care services for a Veteran or surviving spouse.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for the Aid and Attendance Benefit?

To qualify for the 2022 VA Aid and Attendance benefit, a Veteran must meet these requirements:

• Received an honorable discharge
• Currently receiving the basic VA pension (you can apply for a VA pension when you’re applying for the VA Aid Attendance benefit
• Be at least 65 years old

Below is a further breakdown of additional requirements:

Service Requirements:

• The Veteran started on active duty before September 18, 1980, and served at least 90 days in active duty, with at least 1 day during wartime, or
• The Veteran started active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full required period called to active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or
• The Veteran was an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981 and hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months.

Wartime Periods Recognized by the VA:

• Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)
• 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 (November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)
• Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)

Financial Requirements

The Veteran’s net worth from December 1, 2021, to November 30, 2022, can’t exceed $138,489. Your net worth includes:

• Assets like personal property, land, investments, furniture, and boats. Assets do not include your primary home or vehicle.
• Annual family income, including salary, bonuses, commissions, overtime, and tips.

Physical Requirements (at least one must be true)

• The Veteran needs assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), like bathing, dressing, or toileting
• The Veteran is bedridden
• The Veteran lives in a nursing home due to a loss of mental or physical abilities related to an illness
• The Veteran only has a vision of 5/200 or less in both eyes (even with glasses or contact lenses) or a concentric contraction visual field of 5 degrees or less

How Do I Apply for the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit?

You can apply by downloading and completing VA Form 21-2680. You can mail the completed form to the pension management center (PMC) for your state or by taking your completed form to your nearest VA regional office.

For more information about funding options for senior living, download our Funding Guide, or contact us today.

About Notre Dame Health Care

Notre Dame Health Care (NDHC) offers a range of post-acute programs and services to the community, including an Assisted Living Residence; Adult & Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care; Post-Acute Recuperation; Short-Term Rehabilitation; Skilled Nursing and traditional Long Term Care; Specialized Memory Care; and an educational resource center which serves our employees and community. We embrace the individuality, spirituality, and wholeness of each member of our community, including our residents, patients, families, volunteers, and staff. Notre Dame Health Care is proudly non-profit and honored to carry on the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to care for the sick and vulnerable and to educate for life through our NDHC Educational Bridge Center.

Notre Dame Health Care
555-559 Plantation Street
Worcester, MA 01605
(508) 852-5800
notredamehealthcare.org