THE AID & ATTENDANCE PENSION

The Aid and Attendance (A&A) Pension provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisting living facility also qualifies.

To qualify for A&A it needs to be established by your physician that you require daily assistance by others to dress, undress, bathing, cooking, eating, taking on or off of prosthetics, leave home etc. You DO NOT have to require assistance with all of these. There simply needs to be adequate medical evidence that you cannot function completely on your own.

The A&A Pension can provide up to $1,632 per month to a veteran, $1,055 per month to a surviving spouse, or $1,949 per month to a couple*.

Eligibility must be proven by filing the proper Veterans Application for Pension or Compensation. (Form 21-534 surviving spouse) (Form 21-526 Veteran.) This application will require a copy of DD-214 (see below for more information) or separation papers, Medical Evaluation from a physician, current medical issues, net worth limitations, and net income, along with out-of-pocket Medical Expenses.

A DD-214 is issued to military members upon separation from active service. DD-214s were issued to separated service members beginning in the 1950's. The term "DD-214" is often used generically to mean "separation papers" or "discharge papers", no matter what form number was used to document active duty military service. If the VA has a copy of a DD-214, it is usually because the veteran attached a copy (or sometimes, the original) to his or her application for disability or education benefits. If you've lost your original DD-214 or a copy and you are receiving (or applied for in the past) disability or education benefits from the VA, they may have a copy (or the original, if you gave it to them) on file. At the very least, if you are currently receiving benefits (or did in the past), they should be able to provide a Statement of Service, which can be used instead of a "DD-214".

To request a copy of a DD-214 visit www.vetrec.archives.gov.

For more general information about the Aid & Attendance Pension, please see our FAQ Section.

VeteranAid.org was created to provide information, free of charge, to veterans, their spouses and families.  If you are a veteran, the surviving spouse of a veteran, or the responsible family member of a veteran, we urge you to apply for the VA Aid and Attendance Special Pension at the earliest time possible.  This benefit could make the difference between a veteran or surviving spouse living in a high-quality assisted living facility or in a state-operated nursing home.

VeteranAid.org cannot answer any legal or medical questions.  VeteranAid.org is not associated with any government agency and cannot guarantee eligibility nor monetary compensation from the Aid & Attendance Special Pension.

*Figures are from the Veteran's Administration as of 12/01/09  Please contact the VA to verify current Aid and Attendance monthly payments.

†While not a non-profit, VeteranAid.org conducts itself as a not-for-profit organization. That is, proceeds from the sale of goods or donations are reinvested into the organization to assist with meeting the mission statement goals. The primary mission statement goal is to bring awareness of the Aid & Attendance Special Pension to the general public so that all those who are entitled to the benefit have the opportunity to apply. Purchases from or donations to VeteranAid.org are not tax-deductible, but you will have the thanks of millions of Veterans and their families for your support.