Admitted in Florida and Kansas

Call Fisher & Peterson at:
954-315-1169

Veterans Benefits Aid & Attendance

Aid & Attendance is a non-service-connected benefit available to veterans or surviving spouses of veterans whose medical expenses exceed their income, and who need regular help with activities of daily living.  The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, with one day of wartime service.  The veteran or the surviving spouse of the veteran must show a medical need before Aid & Attendance benefits will be paid.

To be eligible for Aid & Attendance benefits, the veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran must have:

  1. Medical expenses that reduce his/her income. The income limit for a single veteran is approximately $11,000; the limit for a married veteran is approximately $13,000.  (Medical expenses can include in-home care, prescriptions, nursing home or assisted living costs, and more.)  Medical expenses reduce income dollar for dollar.
  2. Liquid assets of less than $80,000 for a married couple; $50,000 for a single veteran.  (This does not include the veteran or surviving spouse’s home.)  See us for additional details.
  3. A need for regular aid and attendance, which means the veteran or surviving spouse must need help with the following activities:
    1. Dressing or undressing, or keeping himself or herself ordinarily clean and presentable;
    2. Eating;
    3. Toileting.
    If the veteran or surviving spouse is bedridden, or is mentally or physically incapacitated and assistance is required on a regular basis, then the criteria will be met.

A married veteran can receive up to $1,775 per month in Aid & Attendance benefits.  A single veteran can receive up to $1,375 per month.  The surviving spouse of a veteran can receive up to $908 per month.

Aid & Attendance payments are not counted as income for Medicaid purposes, so it will not affect one’s eligibility for Medicaid. 

Wartime periods are as follows:

  1. World War I. April 6, 1917 through November 11, 1918, inclusive. If the veteran served with the United States military forces in Russia, the ending date is April 1, 1920. Service after November 11, 1918 and before July 12, 1921 is considered World War I service if the veteran served in the active military, naval, or air service after April 5, 1917 and before November 12, 1918.
  2. World War II. December 7, 1941, through December 13, 1946, inclusive. If the veteran was in service on December 31, 1946, continuous service before July 26, 1947, is considered World War II service
  3. Korean conflict. June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955, inclusive.
  4. Vietnam era. The period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in the case of a veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. The period beginning on August 5, 1964, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in all other cases.
  5. Future dates. The period beginning on the date of any future declaration of war by the Congress and ending on a date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of the Congress.
  6. Mexican border period. May 9, 1916, through April 5, 1917, in case of a veteran who during such period served in Mexico, on the borders thereof, or in the waters adjacent thereto.
  7. Persian Gulf War. August 2, 1990, through date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law.


VETERANS BENEFITS
IMPROVED PENSION  RATES
If you are a Veteran …  Your yearly income
must be less than:
Without spouse or child
(no dependents)   		 $10,929
*to be deducted, medical expenses must exceed 5% of maximum annual pension rate, or $546
Veteran with 1 dependent  $14,313
*to be deducted, medical expenses must exceed 5% of maximum annual pension rate, or $715
Housebound without dependents $13,356
Housebound with one dependent $16,740
Aid and Attendance with no dependents $18,234
Aid and Attendance with 1 dependent $21,615
Add $2,480 for any early war veteran
Illustration:  Veteran who is married and requires the aid and attendance of another has annual income less unreimbursed medical expenses, of $15,000.  That veteran would only be eligible for $1,740 per year in improved pension which totals $145 per month.

VETERANS BENEFITS
IMPROVED PENSION, MAXIMUM
ANNUAL PENSION RATE
If you are a surviving spouse … Your yearly income
must be less than:
Without child $7,329
*to be deducted, medical expenses must exceed 5% of maximum annual pension rate, or $366
With 1 dependent $9,594
*to be deducted, medical expenses must exceed 5% of maximum annual pension rate, or $479
Housebound without dependents   $8,957
Housebound with one dependent   $11,219
Aid and Attendance with no dependents $12,471
Aid and Attendance with 1 dependent  $13,976
Illustration:  Surviving spouse who is housebound has annual income, less unreimbursed medical expenses, of $8,000 and no dependents.  That spouse would only be eligible for $957 per year in improved pension which totals $79 per month.

                                                      

Please feel free to call if you have any questions, or if we can assist you in applying for Aid & Attendance.

Valerie L. Peterson, Esq.

Fisher & Peterson Law Office, P.A.
954-315-1169
954-452-3311


 

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