The Veterans Administration (VA) Aid and Attendance Pension is a benefit that offers financial assistance to qualified veterans and their surviving spouses. It provides support for those who need the aid and attendance of another person to carry out everyday tasks. It can assist in covering the costs of in-home care, assisted living, and nursing facility care. This pension is essential for those who are struggling to pay for their long-term care needs. For elderly or injured veterans who may find it difficult to pay for their medical expenditures, the VA Assistance and Attendance Pension is especially crucial. In general, this benefit significantly raises the standard of living for individuals who have served our country.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
In order to be eligible for this benefit, one must qualify for a VA pension and meet at least one of the following requirements:
- One must require assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing, feeding, and dressing, or
- One is ill and must remain in bed or spend the majority of the day in bed, or
- One is a resident of a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical capabilities as a result of a disability, or
- One’s vision is poor, even with glasses or contact lenses
What is the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) Amount?
Depending on the beneficiary’s income, marital status, and the number of dependents, the amount of the pension rate varies. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the 2023 VA pension rates for veterans that have no dependents would receive an MAPR amount of $26,752. Moreover, for veterans with at least 1 dependent spouse or child, the MAPR amount is $31,714. An extra $2,743 is added to the MPR for each additional child.
How to Apply?
Veterans and surviving spouses must complete VA Form 21-2680 and provide supporting paperwork to be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance Pension. This form can be mailed to the Pension Management Center, or one can visit their local VA regional office to apply in person.
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By Kathy Vu
Senior Care Advising Intern at WellPath Partners
Health Science Student, California State University, Long Beach
