May is National Military Appreciation Month, and Memorial Day is an important day in our nation. According to A Place For Mom, more than one-third of Americans over 65 are either wartime Veterans or are married to one, which means they may qualify for benefits that can help offset the cost of senior care. Yet less than 10 percent of those who qualify have even applied for Veterans Aid & Attendance, which can be used to help pay for in-home care, board and care, assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities.
At Clearwater Living, we value and honor our resident Veterans’ service to our country and we want to ensure they receive every incentive they have earned. That’s why we’ve partnered with Patriot Angels to simplify the Aid & Attendance application process for you.
VA benefits for assisted living: 5 things to know
- What is Aid & Attendance?
According to the Veterans Administration, VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you served on active duty for at least 90 consecutive days, including at least one full day during a time of war, and you now need help with daily activities, or you’re housebound, you may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you meet at least one of the requirements listed below.
- You need another person to help you perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing.
- You have to stay in bed—or spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness.
- You are a patient in a nursing home or senior living community due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability.
- Your eyesight is limited (even with glasses or contact lenses you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less).
- Housebound benefits eligibility.
- You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability (a disability that doesn’t go away).
- Are spouses of Veterans eligible for VA benefits for assisted living?
Yes. Surviving spouses must have been married to a Veteran for at least one year. You must have been married to a Veteran at time of death. You must present your Veteran spouse's death certificate.
- Is assisted living included under Aid & Attendance?
Yes. The VA does not differentiate between a nursing home and assisted living community in their definition of “nursing home” meaning that VA benefits for assisted living are included in Aid & Attendance.
- What are the 2021 monthly benefits?
According to Patriot Angels, as a U.S. wartime Veteran or spouse, you can earn up to $3,032 per month tax-free to help you pay for assisted living. Every month, thousands of U.S. wartime heroes (and widows) collect millions of dollars paying for their senior living expenses.
- How do I apply?
The application and approval process for Aid & Attendance can be frustratingly slow (almost nine months) and require a great deal of paperwork. However, a complete and accurate application can be processed much more quickly. Applicants who are age 90 or older may request an expedited review in a cover letter with their application. Because of the lengthy approval process, the first benefit payment includes a lump sum to cover the months that the application was pending.
Clearwater Living is partnering with Patriot Angels to help cut through the red tape and assist you with obtaining VA benefits for assisted living. The Patriot Angels VA benefit application process efficiently navigates the system in order to help Veterans and their loved ones receive the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit. Under the supervision of VA accredited attorneys, Veterans receiving counsel from Patriot Angels are provided with pre-planning guidance per your family’s specific circumstances.
Assisting you with securing VA benefits for assisted living is just one example. The Clearwater Living commitment to service creates an atmosphere of support and opportunity in which aging adults thrive. We’d love to tell you more. Call the community nearest you today!