Aid and Attendance
What is Aid and Attendance?
Aid and
attendance is an additional amount available to eligible veterans and dependents
who are entitled to VA pension or VA compensation.
Who is
eligible for aid and attendance?
A veteran, dependent spouse,
or surviving spouse who is a patient in a licensed nursing home because of
mental or physical incapacity or otherwise determined to be in need of the
regular aid and attendance of another person, may be entitled to higher income
limitations or additional benefits, depending on the type of benefit received.
(Note: If you currently
receive pension benefits under one of the prior pension laws, an election to
Improved Pension would be required before the aid and attendance allowance could
be included in your monthly payment.)
How Do I Apply?
If you are a nursing home
patient:
The attached nursing home
certification must be completed by your physician and the nursing home
administrator. It must contain the following information:
- Date
admitted to the nursing home
-
Diagnosis
- Type
of care such as skilled or intermediate
- Total
cost of daily care, amount paid out of claimant's own funds, and if Medicaid
is paying all or part of the cost.
- This
certification must be signed by the Administrator of the nursing home, the
physician and by the claimant who is the patient in the nursing home.
Patients unable to sign can make a mark and two witnesses should verify the
mark.
ALLOWANCE FOR AID AND ATTENDANCE
If you are not a nursing home
patient, furnish a medical statement covering the findings, diagnosis and
prognosis of any recent medical treatment or examination. The doctor's statement
or medical report should describe how your ability to perform the personal
functions of daily living, such as dressing, feeding, bathing and attending to
the needs of nature, is limited by your medical condition. It should also
include the number of hours you spend in bed and describe your posture and
general appearance. You may also furnish any other information indicating that
you are unable to care for yourself, or walk or travel beyond your home because
of your condition.
Note: You are not required to
incur the expense of the physical examination by a private physician to receive
consideration. If the detailed medical information about your ability to care
for yourself is not available from the doctor's or hospital's current records,
VA may arrange for a physical examination.
Related Benefits
Housebound Allowance
Compensation
Pension Death Pension
Dependency Indemnity
Compensation (DIC)
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-827-1000
To
Print a Nursing Home Certification Statement click here:
Nursing Home Certification Statement
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