Here’s a benefit that could fund the very care you’re trying to arrange for a veteran patient — and that a large share of eligible families never claim, simply because no one raised it in time. If you work with older adults, knowing the one-minute version of VA Aid & Attendance makes you more valuable to every veteran family you touch.
The 60-second version
Aid & Attendance is an increased monthly VA pension, paid on top of the basic pension, for wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who need help with the activities of daily living. It can meaningfully offset the cost of in-home care or assisted living. The general building blocks:
- 90+ days active duty with at least one day during a recognized wartime period (no combat or service injury required).
- Discharge other than dishonorable.
- A demonstrated need for help with daily activities.
- Income and assets within VA limits — and because care costs are deducted, many families who assume they earn too much still qualify.
- Surviving spouses of qualifying wartime veterans may be eligible too.
How to use this in your work
You don’t need to become the expert — you just need to flag it early. When you spot a veteran or a surviving spouse in your caseload, mention that Aid & Attendance may be worth exploring, and point them to the free, accredited help that files the claim: a County Veterans Service Officer (VSO), or a VA-accredited organization like the VFW, DAV, or American Legion. (A fair caution to pass along: steer families away from anyone charging large fees to “guarantee” approval.)
Where we come in: while a claim is pending, the veteran still needs care now. We get dependable companion care in place immediately and coordinate with the family, so no one waits on paperwork to be safe. More detail on our veterans page.
If it would help your veteran families, we’re glad to be the local partner who gets care started and points them to the right no-cost benefits help. Just call.