Veteran Benefits in Missouri: Get the Most Out Of Your VA Aid and Attendance Payments

You or your spouse served our country. You deserve to understand every benefit that may be available to help with your care.

Now, you’re getting older and starting to think about the future.

Will you be able to live at home?
Can you afford to pay a caretaker?
How are you going to pay for assisted living?
Are your loved ones going to have to pay for your care?

Long-term elder care is becoming more expensive, more complicated, and harder to manage alone.

Many veterans are unaware that additional financial support could be available to help cover the cost of in-home caregivers, assisted living, memory care, nursing home care, and other long-term care services.

For Missouri veterans and surviving spouses, this can be the difference between delaying care, relying on family, or getting professional support.

What Benefits do Veterans Get?

Veterans receive many different kinds of benefits, like health care, disability, pension, survivor benefits, burial benefits, and education.

When it comes to long-term care, the most important type of benefit is Aid and Attendance. 

What is VA Aid and Attendance?

VA Aid and Attendance is a special monthly payment that is added on to a veteran’s regular pension that can be used to help cover the cost of services like:

• In-home caregivers
• Assisted living facilities or nursing homes
• Personal health aides
• Memory care units
• Other long-term care services

Aid and Attendance is meant for military veterans and their spouses who need extra help with daily living tasks like eating, bathing, dressing, cooking, using the restroom, or moving around safely.

Do I Have to Be on Disability to Get VA Aid and Attendance Payments?

Many veterans assume they cannot qualify for VA Aid and Attendance unless they have a service-connected disability or already receive VA disability compensation.

Fortunately, you do not have to be on service-connected disability to qualify for Aid and Attendance. Instead, Veterans Affairs looks at your medical needs, level of income, assets, and your time serving in the military. 

Who is Eligible for Veteran Benefits in Missouri?

VA Aid and Attendance may be available to a veteran or surviving spouse who meets requirements for military service, financial need, and medical care needs. The VA will ask questions like:

• Did the veteran serve during a qualifying wartime period?
• Was the veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable?
• Does the veteran or surviving spouse need help with activities of daily living?
• Are income and assets within the VA’s limits?
• Are care costs, such as assisted living or in-home care, creating a financial burden?

The medical requirement and care costs are usually based on the need for assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, mobility, or ongoing supervision due to memory loss or physical decline.

Each situation is individual. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. Results can vary depending on the veteran’s service record, health needs, finances, and available documents. Because the rules can be complex, speaking with an experienced elder law attorney can help you evaluate your options and determine whether you or your loved one may qualify.

Can a Surviving Spouse Qualify for VA Aid and Attendance?

A surviving spouse may be able to qualify for VA Aid and Attendance benefits if the deceased veteran met the service requirements and the spouse now needs help with daily care.

Because surviving spouse eligibility can change depending on details like marriage history, remarriage, documentation, income, and care expenses, having your case reviewed by an attorney can help you determine your eligibility.

Are VA Aid and Attendance Benefits Taxable?

Aid and Attendance benefits are generally not taxable.

Aid and Attendance is added to a qualifying veteran’s or surviving spouse’s VA pension. Because a VA pension is a tax-free benefit, families generally do not have to report Aid and Attendance payments as taxable income.

Talk With an Ozarks Elder Law Attorney About Veterans Benefits

Planning for your long-term care can be stressful and confusing. Rising costs for assisted living, in-home caregivers, memory care, and nursing home care can make families feel like they are running out of options.

For many Missouri veterans and surviving spouses, VA Aid and Attendance could offer the support you need. It can be even harder when you are trying to understand VA rules, pension eligibility, income limits, asset rules, medical documentation, and long-term care planning at the same time.

At Ozarks Elder Law, we help veterans, surviving spouses, and families understand how VA Aid and Attendance may fit into a larger care plan. 

If you or your loved one served, it is worth asking what benefits may be available to help you cover rising costs. 

It is worth your time to schedule a FREE consultation with Ozarks Elder Law to review your case, get answers to your questions, and find clarity on your best next step.