A friend of my mom's told me of a service offered by the VA (Veterans Administration) that they are not very public about. They told me that the VA offers a Special Pension with an Aid and Attendance benefit. This pension allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, etc. to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted living facility also qualifies.

My mom's friend gave me the phone number and email address of the guy to contact. I sent him an email yesterday, so I will wait and see if I hear from him. If I don't, I will try calling him.

Has anyone heard of this?

Quoted from JoAnn

A friend of my mom's told me of a service offered by the VA (Veterans Administration) that they are not very public about. They told me that the VA offers a Special Pension with an Aid and Attendance benefit. This pension allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, etc. to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted living facility also qualifies.

My mom's friend gave me the phone number and email address of the guy to contact. I sent him an email yesterday, so I will wait and see if I hear from him. If I don't, I will try calling him.

Has anyone heard of this?

My Grandmother is getting something like this - I'll see if I can find more details tomorrow.  She also has a VA nurse coming to the house on a fairly regular basis for healthcare (blood draws, etc)

Thanks MT. I would appreciate any information you could give me.

JoAnn, the paperwork she has gives this link: http://www.veteranaid.org/

Hope that helps.

It's been a few years, but I think MT's link is the right one.  My grandfather got a benefit like this when he had to be moved to a nursing home back in 2000.  Not sure what the benefit scale is now a days though.  BAck the I think it covered 60% of related costs.

I just went to the link and it is exactly the information I was looking for. From what I read, it will be a  very long process. I am surprised that the VA does not openly offer this. On this website they said not to be surprised that if you go to a VA office  no one will know about this benefit. I find that so strange.

Thanks boys/girls for this information. It has been a great help.

It's been a VERY long application process for her - but don't be distracted. Even if, god forbid, the surviving spouse dies during the application process, it can be awarded posthumously to the estate.

The hardest parts, from what I understand are the income/asset verifications and the doctors verification/certification of need.

Good luck.