Cash Assistance For Aging Veterans Helping Veterans Pay For Long Term Care

By Terry Douglas, Maryland Elder Law Attorney

Are you a veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran? If so, you may be entitled to benefits.

The “Aid and Attendance” benefit is one of the VA's best-kept secrets from our military veterans.

For the estimated 476,292 veterans who reside in Maryland, only 3,339 veterans receive compensation from the VA to help pay for long term care costs. Mostly, because few people have ever heard of the cash benefit. But, this is changing for our residents as a result of VA Accredited Attorneys and Veterans Services Organizations who are spreading the word about this benefit.

These VA benefits

Are not dependent upon a condition related to military service
Are tax-free and in addition to Social Security and other income
May be as much as $2,085.00 per month for a married veteran
May be as much as $1,758.00 per month for a single veteran
May be as much as $1,130.00 per month for a surviving spouse
May be as much as $2,790.00 per month for a veteran married to a veteran

The Aid and Attendance benefit helps wartime veterans pay for care at-home, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes.

For example, the government (VA) pays up to$2,085 per month tax-free or $25,022 per year for eligible married veterans (and up to $13,563 per year for eligible surviving spouses of veterans). A veteran over the age of 65 could use this extra tax free income to pay for long term care costs, such as hiring a personal caretaker, including a family member, to help with activities of daily living at home.

Who is eligible? The veteran must have served 90 days of active duty and 1 day during WWII, Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam Era and meet certain financial criteria. If you have high medical expenses and limited household assets (excluding home), consult with an elder law attorney to see if you might otherwise meet VA's eligibility requirements.

Once awarded aid and attendance, a veteran may obtain free medication, medical equipment, incontinence supplies, glasses and hearing aids from the VA hospital/clinic via home delivery.

By the way, Congress proposed a new law that may change how veterans get the VA aid and attendance benefit. If enacted, it could delay you receiving this cash benefit or make you ineligible to receive it. Act before the law changes.

Each claim is different, and there are no guarantees. To determine if you are eligible for this VA pension benefit, contact a VA Accredited Attorney, a Veterans Service Organization, or visit www.va.gov