Who is Eligible for the Basic and Housebound Level of Veterans Pension Benefits?: Aid and Attendance FAQ
Posted in Uncategorized on April 7, 2016
Tags: aid and attendance, FAQ, tips for seniors, veterans, veterans benefits
The Aid and Attendance pension benefit actually has three tiers to it. The Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit is the top tier, but there are two other benefit tiers that a veteran may be eligible for depending on their situation. Here is 
what you need to know about the Housebound and Basic levels of pension benefits.
Basic pension
The most distinct difference with this tier of the pension benefit is there is no "care" qualification. The veteran or spouse does not have to be paying for care. Only financial eligibility is required. And the veteran must be unemployed, at least 65 years old, and had honorable discharge from military. Make sure they served during an approved period of war.
Financial eligibility: below $1055 in monthly income, combined income is $1380 for veteran and spouse; surviving spouse is $708. If applicant falls below these levels, they can file for the basic level of pension.
Housebound pension
A veteran or spouse can be awarded this pension if the level of care they need is not as extreme as facility care (assisted living, nursing home, etc.). The awarded amount of this benefit will be less because the amount of day-to-day help the applicant needs is less.
Care can be provided by family members or outside caregiver's agencies. Family members need to be reimbursed for the care and services they are providing just as they would an outside agency. *Tip: Do not pay the family member or caregiver in cash as the applicant must have a record of payments via check, money order, etc. in order to apply.
Example: A veteran can get around the house for most the part, but he is on an oxygen tank.
Example: A veteran's spouse is legally blind but still able to function on their own for the most part.
Example: A veteran can no longer drive his- or herself.
The VA will automatically consider this level if the claimant does not fully qualify for Aid and Attendance.
A veteran or spouse/widow cannot receive both the Aid and Attendance benefit and the Housebound benefit at the same time.
Still need help?
Want to know if you are eligible for the A&A or housebound pension? Try our eligibility calculator.
Want to use your Aid and Attendance benefit to find the right assisted living community for you?
Be sure to call (866) 913-2555 or visit SeniorAdvisor.com to start your search. A local care adviser can assist you in finding the right care type for you in your area using your Aid and Attendance benefit to pay for the costs. This phone call and assistance is NO cost to you.
10 Responses to “Who is Eligible for the Basic and Housebound Level of Veterans Pension Benefits?: Aid and Attendance FAQ”
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Need information about taking care of veteran in the home
Inge, you can find resources on how to take care of a veteran on our blog post here: https://www.veteranaid.org/blog/2016/02/02/resources-support-caregivers-veterans/
I apologize for stating my question here. I have searched allover this site and can't seem to figure out what I can do to join.
Every time I have tried to sign up, I get a message for me to contact Admin as it says my email address is SPAM. I can assure
you my email address is not scam. Just need help figuring this out. Thank you
Sherry
I apologize for stating my question here. I have searched allover this site and can't seem to figure out what I can do to join.
Every time I have tried to sign up, I get a message for me to contact Admin as it says my email address is SPAM. I can assure
you my email address is not scam. Just need help figuring this out. Thank you
Sherry
P.S. My email doesn't show above so I'll post here. pbn9@outlook.com
Sherry, did you go to this page here on our forums to sign up to ask questions?
https://www.veteranaid.org/forums/index.php
If you try it again and it says your email address is invalid, can you try another email? I can also answer your questions here on this forum post if that helps.
I can also send you a personal email to talk about your questions if that is better?
My dad served in the Navy & he was a veteran whom served in the Korean War- Yr/ 1951-1952. wih a honorable discharge from the Naval services after that tour of duty. Though my dad is now deceased my mother(never remarried) now struggles with the Dementia/Alzheimers Disease. Her condition requires 24/7 immediate supervision in the assistance of attending to her daily activities, bathing/toileting, putting on/taking off/selection of appropriate clothing, cooking, housekeeping, handling finances, making appropriate financial decisions, Wandering & many other factors involved with this disease. I took my mother into my home & my husband & myself made every attempt in providing mother with respet, dignity & love to improve the quality of her life in her journey of meeting the challenge of dementia. we live in the city of Davenport, Iowa & thankfully we have a veterans administration for acess in our immediate area. However the process & committual was so overhelming for the rep here, I found it necessary to return my mom to the Moberly, Missour area for adequate & efficient assistance ffor program application process. During that time period, The representative additionally, assisted with my mom obtaining all/necessary/applicable paperwork. Initiation of application process for Aide & Attendance was May 2011. REceipt letter from Veterans Affairs dated May-2012-stating they were in receipt of letter but needed additional info.The representative from Moberly, Mo submitted required information on my mothers behalf. Now my mother then left & went to Flint, Michigan to live with my older sister,(whereas; I informed my sister how she needed to apply for the aide & attendance as she would now become moms primary caregiver. Long story short, My mother was APPROVED for the A & A program & additional pension wartime dollars- My question is this: How do I get my sister to relize she in fact must share those funds as they are applicable to myself for providing care as well & the application followed my mother as she was the person as surviving spouse. I have the file number for that case & other applicable info & would like to know what to do at this point?? My sister does not feel she is required to provide the A & A funds to me as she is moms guardian/conservator. Do I conact theVeterans affairs & appeal their decision . I am at a loss. Thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide on this issue.
Four year veteran of Korean War (1951-1954) serving in USAF, Strategic Air Command.
Now 84, need help in surviving. How can I apply for Aid & Attendance benefit?
Frances, Please read through our website, http://www.VeteranAid.org. There you will find all the information you need to apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit, including the forms you need for the application.
Exactly what I was searching for, appreciate it for posting.