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:
1. Needing assistance with performing daily activities
2. Being bedridden because of an illness
3. Residing in a senior living facility
4. 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.