Columnists

Will The VA Pay For Assisted Living?

Issue 47.12

If you are a United States Veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran, you may qualify for the Veteran’s Aid & Attendance Program. This enables you to receive monthly benefits to help cover some of the costs of your assisted living care!

The Aid & Attendance Program is a benefit for veterans and their surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, and continence. This benefit is often used to supplement the costs associated with assisted living or nursing home care.

There are 4 basic requirements in order to qualify for this benefit.

1. The veteran would have had to serve at least 90 days of active duty. One of those days needs to be during a recognized period of war.

2. The veteran or surviving spouse (or married couple) would have to have less than $80,000 in assets. This excludes a primary residence and a vehicle.

3. Your physician must establish that you require daily assistance by others to dress, undress, bathe, cook, eat, take on or off of prosthetics, leave your home, etc. You DO NOT have to require assistance with all of these. There simply needs to be adequate medical evidence that you cannot function completely on your own.

4. The veteran or surviving spouse must spend the financial assistance on out-of-pocket medical expenses.

The Aid & Assistance Program can provide up to $1,632 per month to a veteran, $1,055 per month to a surviving spouse, or $1,949 per month to a couple.

Eligibility must be proven by filing the proper application form. These forms are:

Form 21-534 (for surviving spouse)
Form 21-526 (for veteran)

The application will also require a copy of DD-214 or separation papers, medical evaluation from a physician which includes current medical issues, net worth limitations, and net income along with out-of-pocket medical expenses.

If you think you qualify for Veteran Benefit Assisted Living and would like further assistance in making application, please give us a call at 435-216-3905 and we would be glad to get you in touch with one of our trained associates.

Comments are closed.