Long-Term Care

Who qualifies for Aid and Attendance benefits?

Veterans who are at least 65 years old or have a permanent and total disability can receive Aid and Attendance benefits if they meet specific service, asset, income and medical requirements.

Service requirements: Veterans who started active duty before Sept. 8, 1980, must have served on active duty for at least 90 days, with at least one day during wartime. Some veterans who started after Sept. 7, 1980 must have served up to 24 months, including at least one day during wartime. (The requirements for Vietnam War era veterans were recently expanded as a result of the PACT Act.)

Wartime periods:

• WWII: Dec. 7, 1941, to Dec. 31, 1946
• Korean conflict: June 27, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1955
• Vietnam War era for veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam: Nov. 1, 1955 to May 7, 1975
• Vietnam War era for veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam: Aug. 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975
• Gulf War: Aug. 2, 1990, until the present

For a list of full requirements see the VA’s Eligibility for Veterans Pension. The veteran doesn’t need to have retired from the military but can’t have a dishonorable discharge.

Asset requirements: The VA changed the asset calculation a few years ago to make it easier to apply for benefits. In 2024, a veteran (and spouse, if married) must have less than $155,356 in assets, including bank accounts, investment accounts, IRAs, other retirement accounts, and the cash value of life insurance. The calculation does not include the veteran’s primary residence or car. This asset level is adjusted for the cost of living each year.

Income requirements: The income criteria is complicated, but paying for medical expenses and long-term care can make it easier to qualify.

Income can include Social Security benefits, any pension payments and other forms of income. But you can subtract the cost of eligible medical expenses, including long-term care costs, when calculating adjusted income. The annual income limit is the same as the maximum benefit amount: $27,609 to receive Aid and Attendance benefits in 2024 for veterans without dependents; $32,729 for veterans with dependents.

The countable income then reduces the maximum pension benefit you can receive. For example, a veteran with $12,000 income and no unreimbursed medical expenses could receive $15,609 in Aid and Attendance benefits in 2024, which is paid in monthly payments of $1,300.75, says Wilson.

Veterans who have large long-term care costs can receive more. For example, if a veteran pays $30,000 in nursing home costs, their countable income becomes $0 and they can receive the full $27,609 in annual Aid and Attendance benefits, which is paid in monthly payments of $2,300.75, says Wilson.

Medical requirements: The service, income and asset requirements are the same as they are for the veterans pension. But in order to receive the higher Aid and Attendance benefits, you must meet extra medical requirements. A doctor typically must certify that you need help with activities of daily living such as bathing, eating and getting dressed. Nursing home patients need to provide extra paperwork from the facility about the costs and type of care they receive.

Surviving spouses who need care may be eligible, too. The survivor must have been married to the veteran for at least one year prior to his or her death. Surviving spouses with dependents can receive up to $21,166 in Aid and Attendance benefits in 2024, or up to $17,743 with no dependents.