Veterans Benefits

The VA sets both income and asset limits for Aid and Attendance benefits each year. The numbers vary depending on whether you are married, single, or have dependents. It can get a little confusing, but the basic idea is that the VA looks at your income after certain medical expenses are deducted. At Ozarks Elder Law, we can help you figure out exactly where you stand and whether you meet the financial guidelines.

The Aid and Attendance pension benefit may be available to honorably discharged wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need in-home care, assisted living care, or nursing home care. Many elderly veterans and surviving spouses whose incomes and assets exceed Medicaid eligibility limits may still be able to qualify for Veterans’ Aid and Attendance benefits if they have large medical expenses, including nursing home, assisted living or home health care expenses for which they do not receive reimbursement.

To apply, you will need to complete a specific VA form (VA Form 21-2680) and gather medical records, financial information, and military service documents. It is a detailed process, and missing even a small piece can cause big delays. That is why a lot of families choose to work with us — we help organize everything and submit the application properly the first time around.

Yes. Surviving spouses of veterans often qualify for Aid and Attendance, but there are a few important rules about how long you were married and whether you have remarried. If you are not sure whether you qualify, we would be happy to walk you through it and look at your specific situation.

• Any veteran who has a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or more; A veteran who is rated 60 percent service-connected and is unemployable or has an official rating of “permanent and total disabled;”
• A veteran with combined disability ratings of 70 percent or more;
• A veteran whose service-connected disability is clinically determined to require nursing home care;
• Nonservice-connected veterans and those officially referred to as “zero percent, non-compensable, service-connected” veterans who require nursing home care for any nonservice-connected disability and who meet income and asset criteria;
• If space and resources are available, other veterans on a case-by-case basis with priority given to service-connected veterans and those who need care for post-acute rehabilitation, respite, hospice, geriatric evaluation and management, or spinal cord injury.

You can use Aid and Attendance to help pay for anything related to care — like hiring someone to help at home, moving into assisted living, paying for nursing care, or even covering extra medical expenses. The idea is to make sure you can afford the help you need without putting yourself under financial stress.

The VA does not require you to hire a lawyer. But the truth is, the system can be complicated and overwhelming if you try to do it alone. At Ozarks Elder Law, we have a lot of experience helping families through it, and we make sure everything is done right so you have the best chance of approval and as little stress as possible along the way.