The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reviews the following four areas to determine Aid and Attendance eligibility:
1. Military Service
- Veteran must have served a minimum of 90 days of active duty. 1 of those days must be during a period of war:
- World War II – 12/7/41 through 12/31/46
- Korean Conflict – 6/27/50 through 1/31/55
- Vietnam – 8/5/64 through 5/7/75*
- The Veteran must have received a discharge from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable
*also Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam – 2/28/61-5/7/75
2. Health
- The need for assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) – bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, medication management etc. or
- The claimant is legally blind or nearly blind, or
- A diagnosis by a doctor of Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia
3. Income versus Medical Expenses
The VA compares the relationship between a claimant’s income (Social Security, pension(s), and all other fixed income) and medical expenses (assisted living, home care, skilled nursing, adult day, and health insurance premiums). If the claimant spends all of their income on countable medical expenses, they should be entitled to the maximum monthly income from the Department of Veterans Affairs. If the claimant spends a portion of their income on care-related medical expenses, they may be eligible for a partial benefit from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
4. Savings/Net Worth
The VA has set an asset limit of $130,773. If there are significant assets, benefits may still be awarded if certain estate planning strategies are put in place before benefits are applied for. If you are in this situation, please seek the assistance of Veterans Financial a mistake can cost you as much as $137,745 in lost benefits.
Learn More:
How To Apply For Aid & Attendance Benefits
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