The Department of Veterans Affairs reviews four criteria to determine if a veteran or their spouse is eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits. The VA’s eligibility requirements are complex, which is why we recommend you take our short 5-minute survey to determine eligibility.

Wartime service – the veteran must have served at least 90 days active duty service and at least one day of active duty wartime service. The veteran must have received an honorable, general, or medical, discharge. Qualifying wartime periods:

• World War II: December 7,1941 through December, 31 1946
• Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955
• Vietnam Era: August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975
• Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam: Febuary 28, 1961 and August 4, 1964

Health – the veteran, spouse, or surviving spouse must require assistance with multiple activities of daily living OR require a protected environment for their own safety due to physical or cognitive issues such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, COPD, diabetes, arthritis, CHF, or other health/medical issues.

Activities of Daily Living: Bathing, dressing/undressing, ambulation (walking), transferring, toileting, personal hygiene, eating/drinking (not meal prep)

Income – if the applicant’s unreimbursed medical expenses are MORE than their income, the veteran or surviving spouse will qualify for the maximum Aid and Attendance benefit if otherwise eligible. If medical expenses are LESS than income, the applicant may still be eligible for a partial benefit. We recommend you take our 5-minute questionnaire to see if you are a good candidate for Aid and Attendance benefits.

Net Worth – the VA permits applicants for Aid and Attendance benefits to have net worth of $129,094 and still qualify for benefits. Most families have qualifying net worth or can become eligible with planning. The primary residence is an exempt asset until it is sold. Contact us today to review planning strategies if net worth exceeds $129,094.

For Surviving Spouses

Marriage – this criterion only applies to surviving spouses applying for benefits. The marriage to the veteran must have ended in death and the surviving spouse cannot have remarried OR the marriage must have ended in death and subsequent marriages by the surviving spouse must have started and ended between: 01/01/1971 and 11/01/1990.