The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has a program for veterans and their surviving spouses that may help defray the costs of assisted living or supportive living services. If you or your spouse has served in the military, you may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance Pension.

This program was specifically designed to help veterans and their surviving spouses who require the attendance of a caregiver to assist with activities of daily living (including eating, bathing, dressing and monitoring medications).

• The VA Aid and Attendance Pension was established in 1952 to provide financial benefits outside the traditional VA residential system.
• Assisted care and supportive care in a community – whether provided by a third party or the community itself – qualify as part of this program.

The challenge to obtain Aid and Attendance benefits is the application process – but we have information that may help.

In order to qualify, the veteran must have:

• An honorable discharge from military service after serving at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day served during a war-time period.
• A medical diagnosis requiring daily assistance with two or more activities of daily living.
• Insufficient monthly income to purchase the required care.
• Limited liquid assets (e.g., savings, CDs, etc.).

Additional qualifications may apply. For more details, contact Veteran Affairs at 1.800.827.1000.

For more information about the Aid and Attendance Pension, speak with a VA representative. You may contact Veterans Affairs at 1.800.827.1000 and ask for the veterans services office nearest you. A specialist will help guide you through the process to determine whether you qualify for the program.