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ArticlesAn Overlooked Benefit for Elderly Veterans: Aid-and-AttendanceBy Kim Boyer A benefit provided by the Veteran's Administration (VA) that is often overlooked is called "Aid and Attendance." This benefit can be an excellent source of funds for long-term care for the elderly, either at home or in a facility. It is available to certain wartime veterans or their dependents who are totally disabled because of a non-service connected condition, who are in financial need, and who need the aid and attendance of another person in order to avoid the hazards of the daily environment. Under this program, a veteran can receive a maximum of $1,675 per month in benefits, and a widow(er) can receive up to $908 per month (2005 amounts). Service Requirements. A veteran is defined as a person who served in the active military, naval or air services and who was discharged or release under conditions other than dishonorable. In general, the veteran must have 90 days or more of active duty, one day of which was during wartime. Disability Requirements. The applicant must be found to be "permanently and totally disabled." The VA will generally accept a letter from the applicant's personal doctor as the veteran's disability. A patient in an assisted living facility (ALF) is presumed to be in need of Aid and Attendance. Net Worth Requirements. The VA will deny the application if the net worth is such that part of it could be consumed for the applicant's care. As a rule of thumb, the cutoff is $80,000 and the home is not counted. Income Requirements. In general, the applicant's countable income cannot exceed the maximum annual pension rate, which is currently $1,675 per month. In computing income, certain items can be deducted from income including unreimbursed medical expenses paid by an applicant. Many items are included in unreimbursed medical expenses such as the cost of an ALF, in-home aid, adult day care, and nursing home. Case Example. Jim's doctor says he needs to move to an ALF to protect himself from the hazards of daily living and because he needs the aid and attendance of another person on a regular basis. His income from social security is $1,000 and his assets total $45,000. The ALF charges a monthly fee of $2,700. Subtracting the cost of the ALF from Jim's income yields a deficit of $1,700 per month. Jim is entitled to the maximum payment of $1,675 per month. Official Dates of Recent Wars
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