This Aid & Attendance legal update written by attorney Nicole Wipp at the Family & Aging Law Center is not, and should not be construed as, legal advice.  For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified and accredited Veterans Administration attorney.

One of the most important benefits for long term care is something known as "aid and attendance" or "Veterans Improved Pension."

For several years now, we have been hearing rumblings that the Veterans Administration was going to have a massive change to the rules surrounding this benefit.  

And finally, yes - the Veterans Administration moved the ball.  The old rules are out, and the new rules are in...as of October 18, 2018.  So if you're looking to get this benefit under the "old" rules, all transfers must be completed before that date.

How Does This Affect People Seeking Aid & Attendance Benefits?

Here is a rundown of the most important changes that will affect Veterans and their...

VA Pension Benefits

The Facts...

VA Pension is a benefit that many veterans just are not aware of, or are often told that they don’t qualify for, even if they can become qualified. If you are a Veteran or a Widow of a Veteran, you may be able to obtain tax free income from the VA to help pay for the cost of home health care, assisted living care, and nursing home care. The benefit is called “Improved Pension.” In addition to the Pension, a person who is housebound or in need of the assistance of another person with activities of daily living may receive additional pay called Housebound Benefits or Aid and Attendance Benefits, which is s supplement to the Pension.

All of the following criteria must be met before a veteran or widow(er) of a veteran can receive Improved Pension benefits:

• The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active service with at least one day of service during a wartime period.
• The veteran must have received a discharge that is other...

Q: I called the VA and was told my dad doesn’t qualify for Veteran’s Improved Pension, but someone else told me they heard he might qualify, even if they said he doesn’t. How do I go about getting the right answer?

A: Improved pension is also known as “Aid & Attendance,” and it pays up to almost $25,000 of additional tax-free income a year for at home care, assisted living, or nursing home. This can be a great financial relief to those that are worried about outliving their money. The real fact is, even if the VA claims your loved one doesn’t qualify, or that they have “too much money,” they may be able to become qualified. This is true for the Veteran as well as a spouse or widow(er).The best thing to do if you want to know your options is to go to a Veterans Administration Accredited attorney that specializes in long term care benefits. You may be pleasantly surprised to find out that you were given wrong information, and...