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VA Benefits: A Primer

Today we’re looking at two types of VA benefits:   (1) the VA Pension program, and (2) the VA Aid & Attendance program .

Sadly, many veterans and their families who would otherwise qualify for VA benefits never realize they are eligible, fail to apply, and miss out on participating in these programs.  Today, we’re going to give just a brief overview of the eligibility requirements for these programs and tell you how to apply.  If you think you might qualify for these benefits, there is absolutely no harm in applying just to find out if you might be eligible.

The VA Pension is available to those veterans who served during specific wartime periods and their spouses who meet other resource and income criteria. VA Aid & Attendance (“A&A”) benefits are benefits for veterans and/or their spouses who need the aid & attendance of another person, or are housebound. Most folks who qualify for the VA Pension, who also have need for aid & attendance, will qualify for the additional income provided by A&A. Additionally, some folks who have too high an income to qualify for the VA Pension may still qualify for A&A.

Information from the VA website is helpful in providing an overview of the VA Pension and A&A programs:

Pension benefits are needs based, and your “countable” family income must fall below the yearly limit set by law. Veterans must have at least 90 days of active duty, including one day during a wartime period. If the active duty occurred after September 7, 1980, you must have served at least 24 months or the full period that you were called up (with some exceptions). You must also be:

  • Age 65 or older with limited or no income, OR
  • Totally and permanently disabled, OR
  • A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR
  • Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, OR
  • Receiving Supplemental Security Income

The Veteran must have met the service requirements above for surviving spouses and children applying for the Survivors Pension.

The Aid & Attendance (A&A) increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount if you meet one of the following conditions:

  • You require the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment
  • You are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities requires that you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment
  • You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity
  • Your eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less

 

If you meet these criteria, you may be eligible for Pension and/or A&A benefits. And even if you’re not sure you meet them, but you think you might, it doesn’t hurt at all to submit an application.  Contact your local VA office for help applying.

These benefits can provide significant help to veterans and their families in their aging years. The VA can help you with an application and also help you determine whether you might qualify for any benefits.

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