VA Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit

The Aid and Attendance Benefit, made available through Veterans Affairs, is far too often misunderstood. Because it is misunderstood, not nearly as many veterans who might qualify for it even Care-for-Aging-Veteransconsider applying for this particular pension.

“Many veterans and family members erroneously assume the VA’s ‘Aid and Attendance’ (A&A) benefit is one that will provide actual home healthcare for a veteran or a veteran’s spouse. In reality, A&A is simply an additional monetary award granted under various conditions (The Leaf Chronicles).”

There are plenty of reasons why it is misunderstood and not utilized very often.  Below are some of the most common reasons for this particular dilemma:

Reason #1: Many people assume it provides home care services.

Far too many veterans and their family members assume that the Aid and Attendance Benefit provides home healthcare services. It does not.

This particular program offers financial support that can be used to pay for home care. Applying for it doesn’t mean a home health care aide or other provider is going to be stopping by, unless and until the elderly veteran and/or his family hire somebody to support him.

Reason #2: It’s often thought to be only for veterans who were involved in active combat.

In order to qualify for the Aid and Attendance Benefit, a veteran needs to have served during an active time of combat. However, this doesn’t mean he has to have served in combat itself.

There’s a distinct difference between the two. Somebody who served during the Vietnam War, for example, on an aircraft carrier that was stationed off Africa may very well qualify for this particular pension, even though he wouldn’t have actually served any time in a direct combat situation.

Reason #3: There is not much press coverage about it.

Even though the Aid and Attendance Benefit was developed following World War I as a way to help soldiers returning home with various injuries and disabilities, it can still provide great support for millions of veterans today.

However, there isn’t a great deal of coverage in the media or advertised online about it. If people don’t know something exists, they are much less likely to look into it and pursue applying for it.

Reason #4: People assume it’s only for veterans.

The Aid and Attendance pension is primarily for veterans, especially those who served during a time of war, but it can also provide financial support for surviving spouses of veterans who would have otherwise qualified so they can receive home care support.

There are certain income and asset thresholds that need to be met in order to qualify. For any veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran, who may qualify, and is in need of some type of home care support, this can be a great program for them.

 

If you or a loved one are considering applying for the VA Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit, please contact the friendly staff at Veterans Care Coordination. Call today: 1-855-777-4693

 

Posted in VA Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit

About Kyle Laramie, Founder & CEO

Kyle founded Veterans Care Coordination in April 2011. As its founder and CEO of VCC, Kyle is driven by the memory of his grandfather, a World War II Veteran who unnecessarily missed out on essential VA benefits because Kyle’s family wasn’t aware of available opportunities. In recognition of his impact in leadership, Kyle was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s prestigious “40 Under 40” list and St. Louis Small Business Monthly’s “100 St. Louisans to Know” in 2014. VCC was named a St. Louis Small Business Monthly “Top 20” small business and a finalist for the St. Louis Post Dispatch Top Workplace (2015-2022), St. Louis Business Journal Best Place to Work (2019 & 2022), and the Arcus Awards (2014). The team has served more than 14,000 Veteran clients and their families. Kyle frequently speaks on Veterans’ benefits, addressing conferences such as the Home Care Association of America and Decision Health. He is passionate about giving back and has built a charitable-minded organization that supports various philanthropic efforts.