Senior living care costs can add up quickly, so it’s important to know what funding options are available to you. Wartime veterans and surviving spouses may be eligible for a monthly pension to help pay for long-term care, including assisted living, home health care, adult day services, and skilled nursing.
Learn more about the pension, called the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, in this blog from Golden Bell Senior Living. Find out how it can help pay for your senior living costs.
What is the VA Aid and Attendance benefit?
The Aid and Attendance benefit is an additional monthly, tax-free pension paid to veterans who served during wartime. Single surviving spouses and dependent children may also be eligible for the benefit. You must meet specific criteria to qualify for the benefit.
What qualifies as service during wartime?
Per the eligibility requirements established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you qualify as a wartime veteran if you served during one of the following periods:
- 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)
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How do I know if I’m eligible for the monthly pension?
Per the eligibility requirements established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit if you already receive a VA pension and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You need assistance performing daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing
- You have to stay in bed the majority of the day due to illness
- Your eyesight is limited (only 5/200 even when corrected with glasses or contact lenses – or your concentric contraction of the visual field is 5 degrees or less)
You may also be eligible for Housebound benefits if you already receive a VA pension and spend most of your time at home due to a permanent disability. However, the VA doesn’t allow you to simultaneously earn Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits.
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How do I apply and get more information?
To apply for the Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, send a completed VA form to your pension management center. Your physician can fill out the examination section and include other details and evidence of your need for daily activity care or assistance.
- Download your VA Form 21-2680 here.
- Find your state’s pension management center here.
- Find your nearest VA regional office here to apply in person.
- You can visit this website for additional information: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
Considering senior living options
When you’re considering senior living communities, make sure to talk to the marketing and sales team about the costs. Find out the monthly fees and any additional charges you can expect to incur. Most communities, like Golden Bell Senior Living, have an experienced staff that will provide you with guidance and resources when planning for the costs of your care.
Life at Golden Bell Senior Living
Senior living communities like Golden Bell provide the comforts of home with the added benefits of supportive care, engaging activities, and a maintenance-free lifestyle. With your daily needs met, your loved one will live more independently and have opportunities to meet friends, discover new interests, and live each day to the fullest.
Golden Bell Senior Living offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, and respite care. Residents have personalized care plans, are treated like family, and are greeted by name in a warm, welcoming environment.
Amenities and activities include:
- Beautiful accommodations
- Landscaped grounds and gardens
- Community outings
- Recreation and social activities
- Chef-prepared meals
- Scheduled transportation
- Beauty and barber shop
- Housekeeping and maintenance services
Please contact us to learn more about our communities or set up a tour. We’d love to hear from you and are happy to help answer any questions you have about senior living. For more information about choosing senior living, download our complimentary Family Decision Toolkit.
