VA Aid And Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance

The Aid and Attendance program is a benefit offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides financial assistance to veterans and their surviving spouses who need help with daily living activities. The program helps cover the costs of in-home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.

To be eligible for the Aid and Attendance program, veterans must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period. The veteran must also meet certain income and asset limits, as well as have a medical need for assistance with daily living activities.

The program can provide up to $1,936 per month for a veteran, $1,244 per month for a surviving spouse, or $2,295 per month for a veteran and spouse. The funds are tax-free and can be used to pay for a variety of services.

To apply for the Aid and Attendance program, veterans and their surviving spouses should contact their local VA office or speak with a VA benefits counselor. The application process can be lengthy, and it's important to provide all necessary documentation to ensure a timely review of the application. Click here to get more information

VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care (H/HHA) Program

The Veteran Administration Homemaker and Home Health Aide (H/HHA) program is a benefit provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that offers in-home health care services to eligible veterans. The program provides skilled care services that are medically necessary and ordered by a VA physician.

The HHHA program is available to veterans who are enrolled in the VA healthcare system and have a clinical need for in-home care. To be eligible, veterans must have a VA physician determine that they require skilled care services, such as wound care, medication management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other medical services.

The HHHA program provides a range of services to eligible veterans, including:

Homemaker and home health aide care may include assistance with a wide range of daily tasks to help veterans continue living safely and independently in their own homes.

VA in-home care services:

• Homemakers and home health aides can help ensure patient safety and provide assistance with the following instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs):
• Light housekeeping necessary to maintain a safe and sanitary environment in areas of the home used by the patient
• Laundering essential to the comfort and cleanliness of the patient
• Meal preparation
• Grocery shopping

VA home health aide care services:

• Home health aides can aid with the following activities of daily living (ADLs):
• Bathing
• Toileting
• Eating
• Dressing
• Ambulating or transfers
• Active and passive exercises
• Assistance with medical equipment
• Routine health monitoring
• Escorting the patient to necessary appointments

The goal of the HHHA program is to provide veterans with the care they need in the comfort of their own homes, while also reducing the need for hospitalization or institutional care.

The HHHA program is available to veterans at no cost, as it is covered by the VA healthcare system. However, veterans may be responsible for a copayment for certain services, depending on their level of income and other factors.

To access the HHHA program, veterans can contact us and let us work with you and your VA medical team. The VA will determine if the veteran is eligible for the program and what services are needed. We will work with your to develop a care plan that meets you individual needs and preferences.

Overall, the HHHA program is an important benefit that can provide you with the care you need to age in your own homes. It is important for you and your family to explore all available benefits and resources to ensure that you receive the support you need.

WHERE TO START?

There are three main steps in the VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) application process:

• Learn which documents you’ll need to send to the VA
• Fill out the correct VA application forms
• Mail your printed application forms and all the documents to the correct pension processing center

Step 1: Learn which documents you’ll need to send to the VA.

All A&A applications must include these documents, which can take some time to track down:

• Copy of current year Social Security award letterDD-214 Military Discharge papers (originals, no photocopies).
• Note: You can request official replacements for lost originals from the National Archives
• Proof of all assets (bank and investment statements) and income
• Proof of insurance premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses
• Each family’s situation is a bit different so not everyone needs to send in all the same supporting documents. You may or may not need to include a marriage certificate, death certificate or statement of occupancy from a nursing home, for example.

Step 2: Fill out the correct VA application forms.

Again, some forms are required for every application:

• Basic Pension Form for Veterans, including Section X Medical Expense Report, or the form for Surviving Spouses
• Examination for Housebound Status of Permanent Need for A&A
• Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for A&A

Other forms listed in the tables below are highly suggested, such as the Authorization to Disclose Information to a 3rd Party, which will allow you to talk with the VA about your parent’s application if they need help.

If you have power of attorney for your parent and need to request a VA fiduciary assignment, it’s recommended that you request a Statement in Support of a Claim form. Read through the entire list below to see which forms you’ll need to fill out.

Step 3: Mail the application.

Keep copies of every item in the application packet as well as any other correspondence with the VA. We highly recommend that you send your completed application via USPS Certified Mail Return Receipt to confirm that the VA receives your application.

The VA has three regional processing centers that handle pension benefit applications. Make sure you send the application to the center assigned to the state where the veteran or spouse lives.

If the applicant lives in Texas:
Mail the application to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: St. Paul Pension Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365

What to Expect When You Apply for A&A
The workload at your region’s pension center will determine how quickly your application is processed. Sending a carefully completed application with no missing forms or documents can speed up the process. The application approval process is different for everyone but in most cases, you can expect it to take around nine months from the date you submit it until approval.

Many families can't afford to pay for care out of pocket while they wait for the pension to be approved and funded. Some assisted living and skilled nursing communities will work with you if they know the resident qualifies for A&A. Fortunately, once the VA approves the application, benefits are retroactive to the original filing date.

Top Aid and Attendance Forms

Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular A&A

Periods of War Eligible for A&A

Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection With Claim for A&A

Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records

VA Form 21-0845 Authorization to Disclose Personal Information to a Third Party

VA Form 21-4138 Statement in Support of Claim

VA Form 21-527EZ and VA Form 21-534EZ

VA Form 21-601 Application for Accrued Amounts Due to a Deceased Beneficiary

VA Form 21P-8614 Medical Expense Report