aid and attendance eligibility

ByMargaret

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reviews the following four areas to determine Aid and Attendance eligibility:

1. Military Service

Veteran must have served a minimum of 90 days of active duty.  1 of those days must be during a period of war

  • Eligible Wartime Periods
  • Mexican Border Period (May 9, 1916 – April 5, 1917 for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or adjacent waters)
  • World War I (April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918)
  • World War II (December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946)
  • Korean conflict (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955)
  • Vietnam era (February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period; otherwise August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975)
  • Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – through a future date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation)

2. Health

  • The need for assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) – bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, medication management etc. or
  • The claimant is legally blind or nearly blind, or
  • A diagnosis by a doctor of Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia

3. Income versus Medical Expenses

The VA compares the relationship between a claimant’s income (Social Security, pension(s), and all other fixed income) and medical expenses (assisted living, home care, skilled nursing, adult day, and health insurance premiums).  If the claimant spends all of their income on countable medical expenses, they should be entitled to the maximum monthly income from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  If the claimant spends a portion of their income on care-related medical expenses, they may be eligible for a partial benefit from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

4. Savings/Net Worth

The VA does not designate a specific dollar figure to determine if someone is eligible for the benefit.  The number is different for every person/family who applies.  The VA looks at every claim individually and makes a net worth determination based on the facts and circumstance of the case.  If there are significant assets, benefits may still be awarded depending on care expenses.