The Veterans Administration has a special pension program that pays a benefit for long term custodial care. The benefit is for veterans or their surviving spouse. It is called Aid & Attendance. To qualify, the veteran must have served 90 days of continuous active duty military service and 1 day of which was during a period of declared war.

This program provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular care of another person to assist with eating, dressing, undressing, personal hygiene and other activities of daily living. 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 community also qualifies.

To qualify, the veteran should have any discharge other than dishonorable, be disabled or at least age 65 and have a doctor certification that the veteran or spouse has conditions requiring the aid and attendance of another person. The benefit can provide $1949 per month for a married veteran or $1056 to the spouse of a veteran. The eligibility rules are similar to Medicaid, but the income is calculated net of current health expenses.

We work with an attorney that specializes in elder law and can help you apply for this benefit. Call us for details.