SunnyBrook Senior Living

Veterans' Benefits: Aid and Attendance

Click HERE for link to VA Iowa Department of Veterans' Affairs

What is Aid and Attendance?
Aid and attendance is an additional amount available to eligible veterans and dependents that are entitled to VA pensions or VA compensation. A VA compensation or pension benefit is awarded to a veteran determined to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person to perform basic functions of everyday life. This can include help with medications, supervision, ability to benefit from healthy well-balanced meals and so forth. Care provided in an assisted living community qualifies.

Who is eligible for Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is a benefit paid by the VA to veterans, veterans' spouses or surviving spouses who are medically and financially eligible. The veteran must have met the service requirements of an honorable discharge and must have served at least 90 days of active military service, 1 day of which was a war-time period. The applicant must be determined to be in need of regular Aid and Attendance of another person to perform basic functions of life.

What benefits can I receive?

Veteran can receive maximum $1704.00/month.
Veteran and dependent (wife) can receive maximum $2020.00/month.
Widow of veteran can receive maximum $1094.00/month.

What requirements are there for eligibility?

A veteran may be eligible if they need financial help to pay for an assisted living facility. There are service requirements, disability (non-service related) requirements, and income and asset limitations. Asset limitation is veteran-specific, but may be approximately $80,000, not including house or car.

How do I apply?
You may contact your local veterans' offices you may also call a VA representative from Des Moines at 1-800-838-4692. Applications are also available online at http:11vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp.They will need a doctor's note stating that assisted living care is necessary, discharge papers, and a list of all assets.