Is VA Aid and Attendance assistance only for people that are already receiving a VA pension?

We got my mother an Aid and Attendance pension based on my father's military service. This is a special pension granted to veteran’s, their spouses and dependents. The pension is given if the military service is during a time of war, WWII in dad's case, and there is proof of financial need. The pension dates back to the Spanish American war.

My father did not qualify for a VA pension because he only served for 18 months before being discharged. But because he entered the army a few months before the end of the war he should have gotten this pension. No one at the VA mentioned this!

There is a LOT of paperwork involved but the VA xpcase worker was a huge help in getting it all sorted. Be careful about what websites to go to, lots ask for money for help but you don’t need to pay for this.

https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/

https://www.americanveteransaid.com/landing/lp_2/NEW/aid_and_attendance_2.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwvNaYBhA3EiwACgndgpii301Hgo57gMJ7_owucUEL7uOPzs3nGo0l4Lr-v-iCembZnXr6BRoCAhMQAvD_BwE


Check with your local Veteran's of Foreign Wars and ask for information. An agent at A Place for Mom suggested I look into this for Mom. She received the maximum at that time of $1250 a month which was a big help in paying her AL fees.

You may not be able to locate his service records. I tried to locate my dad's just for family history information. He passed in 1967. My dad's records were stored in St. Louis and lost in a fire along with the records of many others. I have no idea what they do in that case.

https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/archives-recalls-fire

Call the VA office in your County or state. They will help you do the application. You need the service discharge papers. If you don't have the discharge papers you will have to order them it takes longer. I did my mom's application with VA help. No Elder Attorney and no cost. The first check she received was retroactive to the date she applied. My dad did not receive a VA pension.

I consulted with an Elder Care attorney about A&A VA benefits for my father when he had to go into AL b/c I was overwhelmed too. Dad was NOT receiving a VA pension at that time. He referred me to a State Veterans Service Officer at the State Dept of Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA) in my state of Colo. That officer literally filled out the application FOR me while I sat there; all I had to do was bring in the documents she needed. Let me back up. I called her, she told me she needed discharge papers for dad from the Army, and about 5 other documents which he'd had in his lock box. I gathered them up, made the appointment with her, and off I went. About 3 weeks later, dad was approved for A&A benefits b/c the officer filled out the app perfectly.

Dad had under 80K in assets at that time, plus he only received Social Security benefits to the tune of $1800 a month combined with mom, and he served in WWII on the front lines. But the military person only had to have served during a wartime, not on active front line duty. The assets were for the BOTH of them, mom and dad combined (there is a limit for one person or a couple). Back then, the asset limit was $50K for one person. So he qualified for the income limits and b/c he needed help with 2 or more ADLs (activities of daily living).

I think he received $2200 in benefits at that time (2014). Then dad died in 2015 and the officer helped me reapply for mom as his surviving widow. She too (like your mom) was eligible for survivor benefits b/c she was in AL as well. Mom was approved & received $1300+ in 2022 for A&A benefits.

So the income limits differ by state, I believe. Go sit down with an EC attorney who's worth his weight in gold, in my opinion. He or she can steer you where you need to go, and also give you information about Medicaid down the road should your mom need it.

Wishing you the best of luck with all the mumbo-jumbo of the government chaos!

VA will help you for free. There are many companies that will help but will also charge you for their services. You do not need to pay anything for assistance from the VA.

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/veteran-aid-and-attendance-improved-pension-136402.htm

Here is the link for Aid and Attendance. It is also listed on the link Glad posted.

It can be overwhelming but the VA office will help you.

Am I eligible for Veterans Pension benefits?
You may be eligible for the Veterans Pension program if you meet these requirements.
Both of these must be true:
You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
Your yearly family income and net worth meet certain limits set by Congress. Your net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Your net worth includes the net worth of your spouse.
Find out about Veterans Pension rates
And at least one of these must be true about your service:
You started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and you served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or
You started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime, or
You were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and you hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months
And at least one of these must be true:
You’re at least 65 years old, or
You have a permanent and total disability, or
You’re a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or
You’re getting Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income

Eligible wartime:
Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)
World War I (April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918)
World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)
Korean conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955)
Vietnam War era (November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)
Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)


From va.gov

You Dad needed to serve during wartime. WWII, Korea or Viet Nam. The pension is based on medical need. AL care would count. There is an age limit and asset limit.

Before you call the VA dept in your County, have Dads records before you especially his discharge papers. If she does not qualify for A&A she may qualify for other help.

Call the VA in your area. They will be very helpful. Eligibility is based on date and location of service.

Even this website has information. Check the home page and scroll down to Paying for care.

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/va-benefits-for-veterans-and-their-caregivers-136403.htm