Veteran's Benefit

VA Aid and Attendance Pension Benefits Overview

Aid and Attendant Veteran Benefit/Pension Program

If you are a Veteran who served in certain wartime periods (see below), require assistance with activities of daily living, or have certain health conditions, you may be eligible for VA Aid and Attendance Benefits

• You require the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment

• Specifically, you require the regular assistance with at least two of the following: walking, transferring, bathing or showering, eating , dressing, toileting or medication management

• You are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities requires that you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment

• You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity

• Your eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less

Acceptable Wartime Dates

In addition to honorable service, most Veteran’s Benefits require at least 1-day of active duty during ‘time of war.”

Currently recognized wartime periods are:

** If Veteran was in country of Vietnam between 02-28-61 and 08-04-64 this is also considered wartime service.

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Supporting Documentation Required for Veteran:

• Discharge Papers (original or certified with Courthouse seal only)

• 1099′s or other proof of annual income

• Letter from facility where claimant lives, including date of arrival/admission, monthly rate, or letter indicating cost of services provided by caregiver

• Voided blank check from claimant’s checking account

• Proof of medical expenses

• Proof of Identity (social security card, birth certificate, or similar documentation may be required)

Supporting Documentation for Spouse:

• All of the above, plus marriage certificate (copy acceptable)

Additional Information:

• • Income/Assets must be less than $80,000

— Does not include unsold primary residence or vehicle

— Once the above are sold, it is considered income/part of net worth

• Veteran must have served at least one day during wartime

• If you cannot locate discharge papers, order online at: http://vetrecs.archives.gov

• If Veteran is alive, he/she is the only person who can file, the family can only assist the Veteran

• If Veteran is deceased, spouse can apply and supply copy of Veteran’s death certificate

• Form 21-526 for Veteran and Form 21-534 for Widow requires 2 witnesses

• Additional benefits may be available if Veteran sustained war-tme injury

• Benefits will be paid retroactive to the first day of the first full month in which the application was submitted

• Example: Applications submitted in May, approved benefits begin June 1

• Process can take up to 6 months or more for VA to approve benefits

• Obtain all necessary forms from your local VA office or seek the assistance from a Registered VA Claims Agent to help you file the application

• A Registered VA Claims Agent should not charge you a fee to help file the application