One of the benefits of my line of work is I get to work with people over the course of years, seeing them through new grandkids, retirement, and a number of other life changes. Recently, a client who we will call Jim came in to visit me, and brought his daughter Maggie to update his will after his wife passed. At this meeting, Maggie brought up the idea of assisted living, and he brushed it off with a chuckle. “I survived Vietnam, Maggie. I think I can manage a recliner and a remote control.”
But a few months later I got a call from Maggie. After a couple of falls, a missed medication, and a stove left burning too long, Maggie called me with questions about how Jim could get set up to receive care. What she didn’t know—and what most families like hers don’t—is that Jim’s military service could actually help pay for his long-term care.
It’s called the Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit, and it’s one of the most overlooked programs available to aging veterans and their spouses.
Many people assume veterans’ benefits are only available if an injury or illness occurred during service. That’s true for compensation-based programs, but Aid and Attendance is different. It’s part of the Veterans Pension program, and it exists to help wartime veterans or their surviving spouses pay for care that is not connected to military service.
Jim, for instance, served stateside during the Vietnam War. He never saw combat, and he wasn’t injured. But because he served at least 90 consecutive days of active duty, including one day during a period of war, and received an honorable discharge, he met the first requirement for this pension.
To be eligible, veterans (or their surviving spouses) must meet these conditions:
- Be over 65 or permanently and totally disabled.
- Have served at least 90 consecutive days on active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period.
- Require regular assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating—or be housebound.
- Meet income and asset limits set by the VA.
The income part is where many families miss out. On paper, Jim’s monthly income seemed too high to qualify. But the VA allows medical expenses—like assisted living costs, home caregivers, or adult day care—to be deducted from that income. Once Maggie factored in Jim’s care expenses, his adjusted income fell well within the qualifying range.
Aid and Attendance can provide up to $2,120 per month in supplemental income for a veteran like Jim. This money can help pay for:
- In-home caregivers (even a family member)
- Assisted living communities
- Adult day care programs
- Nursing home care
- Home modifications for safety
The benefit doesn’t have to be spent in a certain way. It’s direct income that families can use toward whatever care makes the most sense for their situation.
Maggie’s other concern was Jim’s savings. The VA does look at assets, but it allows for a modest amount—typically under $150,000, not counting a home and vehicle. Planning ahead can help rearrange assets legally and ethically, but caution is key.
Transferring or gifting assets to qualify for VA benefits could impact both VA and Medicaid eligibility later. That’s why it’s important to work with professionals who understand both systems. A wrong move could delay or disqualify someone from receiving VA assistance or Medicaid assistance if nursing home care becomes necessary down the road.
Filing for this benefit can be complicated. The forms, the need for a “rating” from the VA showing the need for assistance, and the financial documentation often overwhelm families already stretched thin with caregiving.
But help is available. Accredited attorneys and VA professionals can guide families through the process, ensuring they qualify properly and don’t unintentionally hurt their eligibility for other programs.
Jim eventually did move into a small, cheerful assisted living community. His Aid and Attendance benefit covers a significant portion of the monthly cost, easing Maggie’s mind and protecting his savings for future care.
If you or a loved one is a wartime veteran struggling with long-term care costs, don’t assume you’re on your own. You may have more options than you think.
The information provided is not intended to be legal or tax advice and does not constitute any attorney/client relationship. You should consult with an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
Ms. Melancon is an attorney with Legacy Estate & Elder Law of Louisiana, LLC with offices in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lake Charles, LA. The primary focus of her practice is estate planning, probate, special needs planning, and elder law. For more information or to attend an upcoming estate planning seminar, call her office at (225) 744-0027.
