The Veterans Administration offers Aid and Attendance as part of an "Improved Pension" Benefit that is largely unknown. This Improved Pension allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing, medication dosing, or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an Assisted Living facility also qualifies.

This most important benefit is overlooked by many families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies to help care for ailing parents or loved ones. This is a "Pension Benefit" and IS NOT dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, Nursing Home or Assisted Living facility. A Veteran is eligible for up to $1,704 per month, while a surviving spouse is eligible for up to $1,094 per month. A Veteran with a Spouse is eligible for up to $2,020 per month and a Veteran with a Sick Spouse is eligible for up to $1,338 per month*.

Many families overlook the A&A Pension as it pertains to veterans who are still independent, but have an ill spouse. Keep in mind that in this situation, if the spouse's medical expenses completely depletes their combined monthly income, the Veteran can file as a Veteran with a sick spouse.

The Aid and Attendance Benefit is considered to be the third tier of the VA's Improved Pension. The other two tiers are known as "Basic" and "Housebound". Each tier has its own level of benefits and qualifications. While the objective of this site is to disseminate information on the Aid and Attendance level of the Pension, often referred to as A&A, we encourage you to view the other two levels in the event you or your loved one does not qualify for A&A. Click Here for more information about the Basic and Housebound tiers. The Improved Pension is not a new benefit, and has in fact been an entitlement for 60 years sitting idle while millions have and still are missing out on.

Please browse this site using the menu on the left to learn more about the Aid & Attendance Pension, FAQ's, Eligibility Requirements, How to Apply, What to Expect, and Resources to help you with filing for this critical benefit. Our forum offers a wealth of information and insights to the process of filing for Aid and Attendance. Be sure to take advantage of this resource.

It is a privilege and an honor to recognize the sacrifice of service and to hopefully make a difference for your loved one.

Debbie Burak- Founder
Read My Story

Don't forget to take a look and interact with others in the VeteranAid.org Forums!

It's a good bet that any questions you may have about the VA Special Pension have been addressed in the VeteranAid.org Forums. Thousands of members post questions and answers daily. If you don't have a question, you may have an answer for someone else.

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