When it comes to paying for long-term care, many families find themselves overwhelmed by the costs and unsure where to turn for help. For veterans and their surviving spouses, there’s an often-overlooked resource that can make a meaningful difference: the VA Aid & Attendance (A&A) benefit.
What Is the Aid & Attendance Benefit?
Aid & Attendance is an additional monthly payment offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to eligible veterans or their surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. This benefit is designed to offset the costs of care, whether it’s provided at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home.
Daily activities that may qualify include:
- Bathing and dressing
- Eating and preparing meals
- Using the restroom
- Adjusting prosthetic devices
- Needing assistance due to physical or cognitive impairment
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for Aid & Attendance, veterans or surviving spouses must meet specific service, medical, and financial requirements:
- Service Requirement:
- The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period. Combat service is not required.
- The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period. Combat service is not required.
- Medical Requirement:
- The veteran or spouse must need help with daily personal care or be largely housebound due to disability.
- The veteran or spouse must need help with daily personal care or be largely housebound due to disability.
- Financial Requirement:
- The VA evaluates income and assets to determine need. Planning may be required to meet these limits without jeopardizing financial security.
- The VA evaluates income and assets to determine need. Planning may be required to meet these limits without jeopardizing financial security.
How Aid & Attendance Can Help
Long-term care costs continue to rise, and this benefit can make a significant difference in covering expenses.
For example:
- Home care: Offsetting the cost of a home aide a few hours a day
- Assisted living: Covering part of the monthly facility fees
- Nursing home: Helping with higher levels of skilled care
The extra income from A&A can provide peace of mind, ensuring that veterans and their families can access care without depleting their savings.
Why It’s Often Overlooked
Many veterans and their families don’t realize Aid & Attendance exists—or they assume they won’t qualify. The application process can be complex and time-consuming, involving medical documentation, financial disclosures, and sometimes legal planning. As a result, thousands of eligible veterans never apply.
Taking the Next Step
If you or a loved one is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse who needs daily assistance, exploring Aid & Attendance could be life-changing. Consulting an accredited VA professional or elder law attorney can help you:
- Determine eligibility
- Gather necessary documentation
- Navigate the application process successfully
Bottom line: Aid & Attendance is a powerful but often-overlooked benefit. For families managing the emotional and financial strain of long-term care, it can provide meaningful support—and honor the service of those who served our country.
