One of the biggest challenges for those considering senior living options is the concern that they won’t be able to afford it. For those that have served our country, the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance Pension program is available to help ease the financial burden.

Eligible Texas veterans and their surviving spouses can qualify if they need assistance in various activities for daily living, also known as ADLs. These tasks could include things like dressing, bathing, eating, transportation, and medication coordination and management. You don’t have to require assistance in each area in order to qualify. Recipients can utilize the funds to help pay for costs associated with home care, skilled nursing home care, or assisted living. The benefit is in addition to the monthly VA pension!

The benefit starts with a Basic Pension and then may increase based on your medical needs.

Beware of scams and people that attempt to take advantage of those that qualify. An individual or organization may offer strategies to try and help you get around certain rules and criteria but don’t inform you of the measures in place to recognize these attempts, which could disqualify you from these benefits altogether. Please ensure you are working with a reputable advisor.

Military Service

• Served on Active Duty at least one day during a Period of War
• Served at least 90 days in total
• Not dishonorably discharged

A spouse of a veteran qualifies if the veteran met this criteria at the time of their death.

Periods of War

• World War II: December 7, 1943 thru December 31, 1946
• Korean War: June 27, 1950 thru January 31, 1955
• Vietnam War:
  • If you served in the country of Vietnam, February 28, 1961 thru August 4, 1964
  • Otherwise, August 5, 1964 thru May 7, 1975
• Persian Gulf: August 2, 1990 thru a date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation of law. Minimum active-duty requirement is 2 year or period for which you were called up active, whichever is shorter.

In addition to being 65 or older, the applicant must meet at least one of the following medical requirements:

• Need assistance performing daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and/or dressing.
• Bedridden, or spend a large portion of the day in bed, due to an illness.
• A patient in a nursing home due to mental care issues or a physical disability.
• Limited Vision – 5/200 or less in both eyes, even with glasses or contacts, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.

The financial benefit considers income and assets. The household income of the veteran or surviving spouse must be less than the pension in which you are applying for. You are able to deduct your medical insurance premiums, including Medicare, as well as the cost of home care and independent or assisted living fees.

The amount of assets you can have is equal to the Maximum Federal Community Spouse Resource Allowance defined by Medicaid, which is $148,620 as of January 1, 2023. Assets exclude your primary home, family transportation, and normal personal possessions.

• Surviving Spouse: $1,432 per month / $17,184 per year
• Single Veteran: $2,229 per month / $26,748 per year
• Married Veteran: $2,642 per month / $31,074 per year
• Two Veterans that are Married: $3,536 per month / $42,432 per year