Veterans Benefits

Find a VA Accredited Representative to Help You Apply

A diagram of the paying for long-term care process

Step 3 – Learn: Veterans Benefits

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pensions provide a monthly benefit for wartime veterans (or their surviving spouses), which can be used as funding for care. Although there are 3 different types of pensions available for veterans and/or their spouses, most veterans’ families rely on the Aid and Attendance Pension to plan for long-term care. To qualify for the Aid and Attendance Pension, a veteran or his/her surviving spouse must meet certain eligibility requirements:

  • Military Service – Must have served at least 90 days on active duty with at least one day during a period of war.
  • Medical Requirement – Must have a medical condition that requires assistance from another person and meet at least one of four different conditions:
  • Needing assistance with performing daily activities
  • Being bedridden because of an illness
  • Residing in a senior living facility
  • Having extremely limited eyesight
  • Income Requirement – The VA considers total income from all sources less
    unreimbursed medical expenses, using this to calculate a monthly pension
    award.

The application for benefits can be complex, but there are resources which can make the process easier.

Find a VA Accredited Representative to Help You Apply

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