There are many plans and benefits available for Veterans who are honorably discharged. One of those benefits that is not so widely advertised is called Aid and Attendance (A&A). It may be used for either home care or assisted living when a person is unable to attend to his own affairs. The principal benefit is available to Veterans who are not disabled from their military service, and their spouses, in addition to other benefits.
A Veteran does not have to be retired from military service, but only to have served at least 90 days on active duty, although the requirement is longer and different for more recently discharged Veterans. He also has to have served at least one day during wartime. The need of the Veteran or the spouse must in fact be from a disability, but not necessarily from their military service. This is called a non-service connected condition.
A&A provides financial assistance based on whether the Veteran has dependents or not, up to $1,413 per month with no dependents and up to $1,675 per month with one dependent. A widow or widower of an honorably discharged Veteran may receive up to $908 per month.
The principal benefit available allows a person to have additional funds if living in an assisted living community, or at home, and requiring care or assistance on a regular basis, which would otherwise prevent them from attending to their own affairs and leaving them in a dangerous living environment if they lived alone.
The hope is that these funds allow a home-care aid worker to come in and attend to the Veteran’s needs, not on a 24/7 basis, but at least frequently enough for them to remain at home. If the Veteran is in an assisted living facility, the benefit allows them to maintain or increase their level of assistance received so they will not have to be institutionalized in a long-term care facility.
There are significant forms that need to be completed as well as necessary verifications from physicians. Additional information may be found on the Veterans’ Affairs website at www.va.gov.
By: Hyman G. Darling, Esquire
My 83 Mom who lives in CT is a veteran. She has gone to the VA & elder affairs dept. When she asks about the in home care benefit, they all look at her like she has 3 heads. None of the staff seems to know what she is talking about. Mom is VERY sharp, totally "with it" & is quite able to express herself intelligently. Her health problems, however, are many & we are trying to keep her out of assisted living or a SNF (she currently lives with my sister). Pleased tell me whom in CT my Mom can go to, what rule/regulation she should quote & what is the "buzz word" with these people. Any help is greatly appreciated!!! Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Reineke RE:Dori Reineke | September 11, 2007 at 09:48 AM