Understanding VA Disability Pay and Pension
If you are a Utah veteran overwhelmed with the high cost of long-term care, such as paying for assisted living facilities, home care aids, adult daycare, or skilled nursing, VA benefits such as the Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit could be the solution to help offset these rising care costs. A wartime veteran or their surviving spouse with limited income may be eligible to receive a non-service connected pension (this means that the need for care does not have to result from one’s military service). There are three levels of VA Pensions that can pay as much as $3,253.00 per month:
BASIC PENSION / IMPROVED INCOME
for healthy veterans over the age of 65 with low incomes
AID AND ATTENDANCE
for veterans over the age of 65 that require assistance with their activities of daily living
Housebound
for veterans with a disability rating of 100% that prevents them from leaving their home but does not have to be related to their military service
Qualifying for Disability Pensions
The Aid & Attendance and Housebound pensions provide additional monthly income over and above the Basic Monthly pension. Please read below to learn if you may qualify. Because the steps to obtaining these VA benefits can be confusing, families often make costly mistakes. We highly recommend you consult a VA accredited attorney before applying for any VA benefits.
It is important to note the general requirements for Aid and Attendance VA benefits—which must be met by the claimant, being the veteran or their surviving spouse.
Age
Veterans or their surviving spouses (AKA “claimants”) must be at least 65 or officially disabled if younger.
Period of Military Service
In order to qualify for these VA benefits, veterans must be considered “wartime veterans” meaning they served at least 90 days and served at least 1 day during the wartime dates below, but not necessarily in combat.
- World War II: Dec 7, 1941 – Dec 31, 1946
- Korean War: Jun 27, 1950 – Jan 31, 1955
- Vietnam War: Aug 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 (or Feb 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 for Veterans who served in Vietnam)
- Gulf War: Aug 2, 1990 – Undetermined
Discharge Status
Veterans cannot have been dishonorably discharged
Disability Status
Aid and Attendance is a VA benefit that is available to veterans with or without a disability, but a higher benefit is available to those who are disabled
Marriage Rules
a surviving spouse must have been living with the veteran at the time of their death and must be single at the time of the VA benefits claim
Contact Voyant Legal For VA Benefits Planning
In order to qualify for VA benefits like Homebound, Aid and Attendance, or basic pension, the service member must meet additional requirements regarding military service and net worth. Contact Voyant Legal for help determining which benefits you qualify for and information on how to maximize your VA benefits.