If you have a parent who served in the military and they are now retired and having trouble living at home, then you might have heard about the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. This is a program that provides financial assistance to certain military veterans so that they can have live in home care, professionals who would help them with their daily living tasks and provide them the opportunity to remain in their home.
So how can you determine if your father or your mother (as a surviving spouse of a veteran) qualifies for the Aid and Attendance program? The easiest way is to contact a representative from the VA and find out. However, the general requirements are that the military veteran will need to have served at least 90 days active duty in at least one of the four military branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines. He would also need to have served at least one day during a period of war. It is this last detail that is most critical for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit.
You’ll need to fill out a number of forms for the application, but once you have filled them out and submitted it, the decision on whether or not your father qualifies will be final. There are no appeals within the process at this time, so it’s vital that you have all of the information filled out properly and accurately.
A decision could be made within a few weeks, though it could take longer. For the most part, any veterans who was honorably discharged and also fulfilled the other requirements, and who need assistance to live at home, will qualify, unless there are unique circumstances involved. Contact the VA directly to learn more.
Call Veterans Home Care for more information and to find out if either of your aging parents qualify.
