The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a monthly pension to pay for long term care for those who qualify. One form of this pension is commonly called Aid and Attendance. There are three qualifying steps to receiving the Veterans Aid and Attendance pension; you must have served during wartime (or be the surviving spouse of a veteran who served during wartime), you must be financially needy, and you must be medically needy. In this article, we’ll focus on what “medically needy” means.
There are Four Ways to Medically Qualify
- Need assistance with activities of daily living, or
- Be blind or nearly blind, or
- Be bedridden due to a permanent disability, or
- Be a patient in a care facility.
Here are the Details for Activities of Daily Living
You must need “aid and attendance” to perform the activities of daily living. Here is a list of what the VA considers “activities of daily living.”
- Bathing
- Eating
- Getting Dressed
- Going to the Bathroom
- Adjusting Prosthetic Devices
- Protection from Hazards in Daily Living Environment
Many veterans and surviving spouses of veterans don’t realize that Aid and Attendance benefits even exist. They are struggling to pay for long term care and/or going without proper care and support. Consulting with a qualified, experienced elder law attorney who is accredited to practice before the VA is a good place to start. He or she will can help determine whether you currently qualify (or through Veterans Benefit Planning will qualify) for Aid and Attendance benefits. Attorney Timothy Murphy has the necessary VA accreditation.
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