One of the most overlooked financial resources for veterans in assisted living facilities is the Aid and Attendance benefit. Offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Aid and Attendance is a monthly, needs-based payment above and beyond the VA pension that can help cover the costs of long-term care.
Aid and Attendance is for veterans who need the aid of another person to safely complete the activities of daily living. Examples can include the need for assistance in getting around, dressing and undressing, eating, grooming, using the toilet, and bathing. Without the ability to perform these tasks on their own, an individual can’t live independently and therefore requires the aid of another individual. A veteran’s need for this benefit doesn’t need to be the result of their military service.
The funds received from Aid and Attendance benefits are not awarded specifically to cover the cost of living in an assisted living facility, but they can be used for that purpose.
This website explains in clear language how the Aid and Attendance pension works. As of 2017, A&A pension can provide up to $1,830 per month to a single veteran, $2,170 for a veteran with a spouse, $1,176 per month to a surviving spouse, or $2,903 per month to a couple who are both veterans. A veteran with a sick spouse is eligible for up to $1,438 per month. That’s a lot of much-needed money that can be put towards the cost of assisted living each month.