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Understanding Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefits

Let’s imagine that you’re a senior. Maybe your health is in good shape, but maybe it’s not. You’re wondering about the future and how you will pay for costs associated with medical conditions, care and the like. What if we told you that there was a benefit you had earned that you can easily qualify for, with very little red tape, that could give you as much as $2,984 extra a month – without affecting any of your other benefits? Would you be interested?

Yes, it sounds a little bit like a scam, but we assure you that, for Veterans and spouses of Veterans, this could be true for you.

“Approximately 1 in 4 seniors may qualify for the Veterans Aid & Attendance Benefit,” says Phil Noto, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull, a memory care assisted living community in Trumbull, CT. “However, only a small percentage of them are actually using this benefit, which means that many are struggling financially when they don’t have to be.”

As with many government programs, there is a misconception that the Aid & Attendance benefit is difficult to qualify for, or is filled with confusing red tape. That’s not the case, says Phil. “If you meet the requirements, it’s very easy to qualify for. Plus, the money can be used to pay for a variety of medical services you may need, including home healthcare or the cost of living in a memory care assisted living facility. This really can be the difference between a senior getting the care they need and deserve … or not.

“Seniors who qualify for Aid & Attendance benefits should know that it will only make their lives better,” says Phil. “If you have questions about this benefit, we invite you to reach out to us at Bridges®by EPOCH at Trumbull. We serve many Veterans in our community and have helped families and loved ones secure the benefit they have earned so they can comfortably live in our community.”

What Is the Aid & Attendance Benefit?

“Aid and attendance” is more than just a description of a service. It also is a medical rating. An official medical rating of “aid and attendance” means that the individual has been recognized as needing regular assistance (aid and attendance) of another person in order to live safely. Qualified individuals will receive a monthly stipend from the VA on top of any other benefits they may currently receive. This money can be used to pay for home healthcare assistance or the cost of living in an assisted living community.

Who qualifies for the Aid & Attendance Benefit?

The first requirement is that you are a Veteran or are the surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran. Either you or your spouse must have served on active duty for at least 90 days, with at least one of those days being part of a period of war. However, service in combat is not required – the Veteran just has to have been in the service and discharged honorably.

With regards to your health needs, the qualification benefits are as follows:

  • You need the help of another person in order to take care of daily functions like bathing, dressing, using the bathroom or simply staying safe in your home environment (e.g. navigating stairs).
  • You or are bedridden due to a disability or disabilities.
  • You’re a patient in a nursing facility due to physical incapacity or mental 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.

Something that’s often overlooked is the fact that the Aid & Assistance pension can apply to the spouse of a Veteran, if the spouse needs assisted living services. The Veteran would need to file as a “Veteran with a sick spouse,” and the spouse would need to meet one of the requirements above.

Do I have to meet a certain income level to qualify? 

In order to qualify, the household income and net worth of the applicant must be below a certain level. This is a complicated formula and depends greatly on the individual situation, for there are different formulas and exceptions that can be made. The best information can be found by visiting your local regional benefit office and speaking to a professional so they can weigh your situation and determine your specific eligibility.

How do I prove medical need?

In order to prove that this benefit is needed, the applicant will need to visit a doctor and receive a report that additional assistance is required in order to remain safe and healthy. For example, a doctor may report that moving into a memory care assisted living facility is essential in order to maintain a good quality of life.

How is the benefit calculated? 

Benefits are calculated each year and adjusted for inflation, and it can be confusing to figure out just how much you may receive. It’s also confusing because you may not qualify for the full amount. However, we do know the maximum allowable payout. The 2019 benefit rates for Aid & Assistance are:

  • $1,881/month for Veterans
  • $2,230/month for a Veteran and spouse
  • $1,438/month for a Veteran with an ailing spouse
  • $1,209/month for surviving spouses of Veterans
  • $2,985/month for two married Veterans

Does Aid & Assistance take the place of my existing pension?

Aid & Assistance is a benefit, which means that it is paid in addition to any monthly pension you are eligible for. This includes your military pension as well as Social Security.

How do I find out if I qualify for and apply for Aid & Assistance?

Locate your state’s Pension Management Center (PMC) or visit your local VA Facility to learn more about this benefit and to file. You can also start the conversation with your physician or with representatives at a memory care assisted living community like Bridges®by EPOCH at Trumbull. We have extensive experience helping veterans and their loved ones receive the caring support they need to live the highest quality of life possible and give peace of mind to their family members.

Personalized Lifestyle

Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull’s highly specialized, resident-centered Bridges® program is a positive, uplifting approach to memory care and wellness that focuses on a resident’s current skills and abilities, not on those that have been lost to dementia.

Each programming plan is as unique as the resident it serves, requiring all Bridges® team members to take an active interest in getting to know each resident on a personal level. Then, accounting for a particular resident’s preferences, interests, needs and abilities, we customize the most efficient blend of expert-recommended care, exercises, activities and communication techniques in order to connect with the individual, encourage their involvement in daily life and create happy, meaningful moments.

Intimate Environment

Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull features four distinct households, each with its own spacious common areas, along with 14 private and two companion suites. Suites feature private bathrooms and walk-in showers.

Each household has a home-like look and feel, creating an atmosphere of warmth, security and comfort for our residents and their families. While furnishings are provided, we encourage families to furnish their loved ones’ suites with favorite possessions from home to help them feel at home.

Featuring stunning residential design that complements the surrounding community, every inch of the interior is designed to benefit those with Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. Attributes such as soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel comfortable and safe.

Contact us today to learn more.

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