VA Aid & Attendance: Three Basic Levels of “Pension” Benefits Many Veterans Are Entitled To Receive
There are three (3) levels of benefits for veterans or surviving spouses under the VA Pension.
VA Aid & Attendance: Three Basic Levels of “Pension” Benefits Many Veterans Are Entitled To Receive
There are three levels or categories of benefits for veterans and surviving spouses of veterans for what is known as the VA Special Pension which is also known as the VA Aid & Attendance..
The basic requirements are that you as the veteran are:
- 65 or older (or 100% disabled)
- a wartime veteran “better than dishonorable discharge”
- In addition, you need to meet certain financial requirements.
Or you are the surviving spouse of a wartime veteran who received a better an honorable discharge.
First, there is the basic level of benefits if you qualify.
This is often called the “base pension” and this is where the veteran (or widow) has no serious health problems. In all the years we have helped veterans, we have not used this.
Second, if you are considered “housebound” you can receive additional benefits.
This is because you do not have the ability to freely leave your house.
This does not mean you can never leave your house.
It means that because of the physical or mental condition, it is not safe or easy for the veteran to leave.
Again, in all the years we have helped countless veterans, we have not used this level. We always use the best level which is . . . .
Finally, if you require what is known as “aid & attendance” (A&A) then you will likely receive additional benefits every month.
This is because you need assistance with activities of daily living (feeding, going to bathroom, bathing, dressing, etc.)
Because it can make a tremendous difference in your monthly and yearly benefits, the requirements of “housebound” and “aid & attendance” need to be examined very closely to see if you qualify for these well earned and deserved benefits.
We have listed a chart below that can be very helpful in determining the amount of money that you may be entitled to.
You may also want to look at our article on why the VA asks for income and how that relates to the amount of money you can receive.
2017 VA Pension (Aid & Attendance Numbers)
You’ll notice that there are three basic sections or types of claimants. Claimants are the person actually making the claim. If the veteran is alive, he or she is the claimant. If the veteran has passed away, then the surviving spouse is the claimant.
- Veterans with no dependents (and a spouse is considered a dependent).
- Then Veterans with a dependent (usually this is a spouse).
- Finally, we have surviving spouses. Often this is a Widow but the VA certainly recognizes Widowers as well in this benefit.
For each type of claimant, we list the three levels of benefits (base, housebound, and aid and attendance).
VETERAN (no dependent — no spouse)
Base: $12,907
Housebound: $15,773
Aid & Attendance: $21,531
VETERAN (with a dependent — a spouse is automatically considered by VA to be a “dependent”)
Base: $16,902
Housebound: $19,770
Aid & Attendance: $25,525
Note: For each additional dependent child, the amount is increased by $2,205.
SURVIVING SPOUSE (whether widow or widower)
Base: $8,656 (with a child the amount is $11,330)
Housebound: $10,580 (with a child the amount is $13,249)
Aid & Attendance: $13,836 (with a child the amount is $16,506)
Note: For each additional dependent child, the amount is increased by $2,205.
Contact us if you have questions!
If you have questions about this benefit, call us at 205-879-2447 or fill out our form and we’ll get right back with you. Our goal is to help you understand your options so you can make the best decisions for your family.