If you are a Veteran who served 90 days on active duty, one day during war time, and were not dishonorably discharged, you may be able to access a government benefit to help you or your spouse pay for caregivers in your home, or help pay for assisted living bills. The benefit is called a non-service connected pension called aid and attendance. To qualify it is necessary to pass a number of tests. These include income and asset tests.
What is the benefit? The maximum pension rates for “Pension plus Aid and Attendance” are as follows:
Single Veteran $1703 per month or $20,447 per year
Married Veteran $2,019 per month or $24,239 per year
Surviving Spouse $1,094 per month or $13,138 per year
Veteran married to a Veteran $2631 per month or $31,578 per year.
Who can help a Veteran or the Veteran’s spouse apply for this benefit? In Idaho, we have the Office of Veteran’s Advocacy, which is part of the Idaho Division of Veterans Services. They will help you complete the forms for FREE. Their address is 444 W. Fort Street, Boise, Idaho 83702 and their phone number is 208-577-2300. An assisted living or nursing home or any other facility or other organization that is paid out of the VA benefits is considered an interested third party and cannot charge or pay for the preparation, presentation or prosecution of a claim.
