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The crushing cost of long-term care in a nursing home or assisted living facility, or for a caregiver within your own home, can quickly deplete your retirement savings. But many veterans are eligible for a valuable benefit, Aid and Attendance, that can help offset those costs for life. The application process for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) benefit program can be long and complicated, but you could receive as much as $2,200 per month to help pay for care if you're eligible.
Beth Agnello's dad, Les, served in the Navy during World War II, attended college on the GI Bill, and then spent more than 40 years teaching physics and physical education in Richmond, California. He and his wife, Gene, moved to a retirement community when they were in their mid-80s.
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Les started showing signs of cognitive impairment, and after Gene had a stroke in April 2010 they both needed extra help and moved to an assisted living facility. Suddenly, their living expenses exploded — topping $4,000 per month. The facility's director knew that Les was a WWII veteran and told Beth that he was likely to qualify for the VA's Aid and Attendance benefit to help cover the cost of care.
Beth went to a local Veterans Service Organization (VSO) office for help — VSOs are organizations that assist veterans with VA claims — and ended up working with an expert from the American Legion who knew how to navigate the complicated application process. Gene died in December 2010, but Les remained in assisted living. After mounds of forms and several long letters to and from the VA, Les started to receive Aid and Attendance benefits about six months later. It paid more than $1,600 per month for 10 years, until he died in February 2020 at age 98.
Between his teacher's pension and his Aid and Attendance benefits, he was able to cover the cost of care — first in California, then when he moved to a more expensive facility in North Carolina to be near Beth — without having to deplete his small nest egg. He had enough money left over that he could attend minor league baseball games of his beloved Winston-Salem Dash with her until the year before he died.
Many wartime veterans get older and need help with the activities of daily living, but are unaware of benefits they are eligible for or are intimidated by the time-consuming application process. “People just don't know that this benefit exists,” says Matthew Margolis, an estate planning and elder law attorney in Park Ridge, Illinois. He helps clients figure out if they're eligible for Aid and Attendance or other long-term care benefits.
The benefits can be incredibly valuable, providing a monthly payout for as long as the veteran (or surviving spouse) needs care. In 2020, veterans with one dependent (usually a spouse) who need care can receive up to $2,266 per month in Aid and Attendance benefits (which is more than $27,000 per year), or up to $1,911 per month without a dependent, depending on their income and cost of care. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans can receive up to $1,228 per month if they need care after the veteran dies. You can use the benefits in a nursing home, assisted living facility or for care in your own home if you meet the eligibility requirements and need help with activities of daily living.
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