Wartime veterans and their surviving spouses, 65 years and older, may be entitled to a tax-free benefit called Aid and Attendance provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
The Benefit is designed to provide financial aid to help offset the cost of long-term care for those who need assistance with the daily activities of living such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring.
I served in the military during a wartime conflict and if you did too you could be eligible for a little known benefit called Aid and Attendance. This benefit can award up to $2,837 for the veteran or $1,149 for the spouse of a veteran. This video explains:
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE AID & ATTENDANCE PENSION
Any War-Time Veteran with 90 days of active duty, 1 day beginning or ending during a period of War, is eligible to apply for the Aid & Attendance Improved Pension. A surviving spouse (marriage must have ended due to death of veteran) of a War-Time Veteran may also apply. The individual applying must qualify both medically and financially. To see the periods of war that have been qualified by Congress, Click Here.
To qualify medically, a War-Time Veteran or surviving spouse must need the assistance of another person to perform daily tasks, such as eating, dressing, undressing, taking care of the needs of nature, etc. Being blind or in a nursing home for mental or physical incapacity, or residing in an assisted living facility also qualifies.
Eligibility must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application for Pension or Compensation. This application will require a copy of DD-214 (see below for more information) or separation papers, Medical Evaluation from a physician, current medical issues, net worth limitations, and net income, along with out-of-pocket Medical Expenses.
To qualify financially, an applicant must have on average less than $80,000 in assets, EXCLUDING their home and vehicles.
Benefit Table
Status |
Monthly Benefit Amount |
| Surviving Spouse | $1,149 |
| Single Veteran | $1,788 |
| Married Veteran | $2,120 |
| Two Vets Married | $2,837 |
