Disabled veterans can receive assistance from the VA to help with assisted-living situations. VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits are available to many veterans who currently aren’t receiving anything. If you have questions after reading through the material below, give us a call. We can help you get Aid & Attendance benefits. Learn more by filling out the contact form or calling toll-free at (866) 232-5777.
FAQ: Compensation VA Aid and Attendance Veterans Disability Benefits
What are Compensation Aid and Attendance benefits?
If you are a veteran who has trouble caring for yourself because of service-connected disabilities, you may be eligible. Special Monthly Compensation is available to veterans with service-connected disabilities who have caretakers. These benefits can be used in nursing homes, assisted care facilities, and even to compensate veterans who are taken care of by a spouse in their own home. There are many different situations that make disabled veterans eligible for VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits.
Why do people get Compensation VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits?
Veterans who obtain Compensation Aid and Attendance benefits have trouble taking care of their day-to-day lives without assistance from another person. Some of the most common reasons veterans obtain these benefits are for not being able to:
- Clean their own home.
- Dress themselves alone.
- Feed themselves without assistance.
- Go to the restroom alone.
- Prevent harm to themselves.
- Go to the grocery store on their own.
How much do Compensation Aid and Attendance benefits pay?
The VA will give you Special Monthly Compensation based upon how much care you need. You can find current SMC rates on the VA website.
Do I need to be a wartime veteran for Compensation Aid & Attendance benefits?
No. Compensation Aid & Attendance benefits do not require veterans to have served in or during a war. Pension Aid & Attendance benefits do have wartime requirements. They are different benefits with different eligibility guidelines.
Are these benefits available to surviving spouses?
Yes. Spouses who took care of a disabled veteran may have been kept out of the workplace for years. This can seriously diminish a surviving spouse’s ability to get a meaningful career back. You may even need care of your own now from age or disabilities.
Can I receive Aid and Attendance if I’m receiving a 100% rating?
Yes. Compensation VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits are available on top of your 100% VA rating. Too many veterans are under the impression that they can only receive one benefit or the other – that’s not true. Veterans with a 100% rating are also eligible for Special Monthly Compensation like Aid & Attendance benefits.
Do I have to obtain a 100% rating to be eligible?
No. Veterans are not required to obtain a 100% rating to be eligible for VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits. Your eligibility depends on your ability to take care of yourself. For example, suppose a veteran who is receiving schizophrenia veterans benefits cannot cook and clean for themselves. That veteran is not required to have a 100% rating to make sure he can take care of himself.
Can I receive Individual Unemployability and Aid & Attendance?
Yes. Veterans are eligible to receive both Compensation Aid & Attendance and Individual Unemployability benefits at the same time. You can apply for both benefits at the same time. Remember, Individual Unemployability benefits are for veterans that cannot work from their service-connected disabilities. It is only natural to think that many of those veterans cannot also care for themselves at home. That is why the VA allows disabled veterans to receive both benefits.
Does my income matter?
No. Compensation Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits do not consider your income like Pension Aid and Attendance benefits.
FAQ: Pension Aid and Attendance
What are Pension VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits?
VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits are available to wartime veterans and surviving spouses of wartime vets. VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits can pay for assisted living due to a veteran’s disabilities.
VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits can cover care in these settings:
- In-home care
- Assisted living facility
- Skilled nursing home
Who is eligible for Pension VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits?
Service-connected disabilities are not required to receive VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits. Aid and Attendance benefits are different than VA disability compensation benefits. Surviving spouses of wartime veterans that died may also apply. But only if the marriage ended at death. Surviving spouses that divorced the veteran before death are not eligible.
Veterans who wish to obtain Aid and Attendance benefits must have:
- Been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions;
- Served at least ninety (90) consecutive days of active duty; and
- Served during a period of war.
Who can help with my application?
The person who helps you file your application must be VA accredited to help with VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits.
How can I get my application started?
The easiest way to begin your application is to contact a VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits lawyer. We can’t stress how important it is to get your application right the first time. The application process is more complicated than most veterans realize.
How long does the VA take to process applications?
Every veteran will experience a different wait time. Generally, applications are decided within four to eight months. The VA’s decision-making process timeline can be inconsistent and you should know that patience is required.
Are there limits to how I can spend my Aid and Attendance benefits?
Veterans who are eligible can spend their VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits however they see fit for their medical care. That means you can do home improvements, pay for medical expenses, pay caregivers, or even cover items like clothing.
Should I file a VA Compensation disability claim?
Veterans who have service-connected disabilities may be eligible for VA disability compensation benefits. These benefits are specifically offered to veterans who can link their mental and physical conditions to their time in the service. These benefits are separate from VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits.
There are also specific VA disability benefits designed for veterans that cannot work. Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits pay veterans the same as a 100 percent veterans benefits rating. However, veterans that obtain Individual Unemployability benefits do not have to obtain a 100% rating.
Our VA disability compensation lawyers have represented thousands of disabled veterans. Your lawyer will only charge if you obtain benefits. Since 1985, Woods & Woods has fought for the sick, injured, and disabled. Woods & Woods VA disability lawyers know this is a tough time in your life and will never ask for money upfront for VA disability claims.
Here one of our VA disability lawyers goes over the questions Woods and Woods, The Veteran’s Firm, is often asked about veterans’ disability claims and appeals.
Get your free legal consultation.
Need help? Want more information? Talk to Woods & Woods VA certified disability attorneys at no cost. We can explore what all legal options are available to you at this time. Even if you have a legal issue our firm doesn’t handle, we may find you an attorney who can help. Thousands of veterans contact Woods & Woods VA benefits lawyers every year and get the legal assistance they deserve.
Talking to a VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits lawyer won’t cost you anything. Legal consultations are always free. A VA Aid and Attendance veterans disability benefits lawyer can get you headed in the right direction and get you the monetary help you need.