Many veterans and their families don’t realize they may qualify for a little-known VA benefit that can help pay for long-term care, assisted living, or in-home care.
In a recent CarDon Resource Hub conversation, Kendra Edwards sat down with Suzette Graham, founder of Patriot Angels, to discuss the VA Aid & Attendance pension benefit and why so many eligible veterans never receive it.
What Is the VA Aid & Attendance Benefit?
The Aid & Attendance benefit is an additional benefit paid on top of the VA Pension program, which is generally a non-service-connected pension. The benefit is available to qualifying wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need assistance with daily living activities or require a protective living environment. Unlike disability compensation, veterans do not need to have been injured during military service to qualify.
To be eligible, a veteran generally must:
- Have served at least 90 active-duty days
- Have at least one day of service during a recognized wartime period
- Have received an honorable discharge
- Need assistance with care or supervision
- Meet certain financial guidelines
A Benefit Most Families Don’t Know Exists
According to Graham, more than 12 million veterans and surviving spouses over age 65 could potentially qualify for these benefits, yet only a small fraction currently receive them.
That means thousands of families may be paying for care out of pocket without realizing help is available.
How Patriot Angels Helps
Navigating the VA application process can be overwhelming. While many people assume there is a simple application form, each veteran’s situation is unique and may require dozens—or even hundreds—of pages of supporting documentation.
Patriot Angels guides families through:
- Eligibility screening
- Financial reviews
- Long-term care assessments
- Document collection
- Application preparation
- Submission to the VA
- Ongoing claim tracking
Their team follows the claim from start to finish, helping families respond to VA requests and avoid costly delays.
When Should Families Apply?
One of the most common mistakes is waiting too long.
Families should explore benefits as soon as a veteran begins paying for care, whether that care is:
- In-home care
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Skilled nursing care
The earlier the process begins, the sooner benefits may become available to help offset costs.
A Lifetime Benefit
Once approved, payments are deposited directly into the veteran’s or surviving spouse’s bank account each month and can continue for life as long as eligibility requirements remain met. The benefit is also tax-free and increases when Social Security receives cost-of-living adjustments.
Helping Veterans Access What They’ve Earned
Graham’s message is simple:
“This isn’t a handout. It’s part of a pension veterans earned through their service.”
For families facing rising care costs, understanding these benefits could make a meaningful difference in preserving financial resources while ensuring loved ones receive the care they need.
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