Veterans who need assistance with some critical aspects of everyday life, such as bathing, dressing, and eating, may be eligible to receive VA Aid and Attendance benefits. For veterans with service-connected illnesses or disabilities, additional payments–referred to as special monthly compensation–can cover the cost of getting the care needed. Veterans not eligible for VA disability pay–those without a service-connected disability–may be eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits through Enhanced or Special Monthly Pension.
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In this article about A&A benefits for veterans:
What is Aid and Attendance?
More than 5 million veterans receive disability compensation and more than 194,00 veterans receive VA pension payments.
Some of these veterans require additional assistance to meet their everyday needs. To cover the cost of that extra care, the VA provides additional Aid and Attendance benefits to these veterans.
Aid and Attendance benefits are offered to qualifying veterans in two ways. For veterans with service-connected illnesses or disabilities, additional payments–referred to as special monthly compensation (SMC)–can cover the cost of getting the additional care needed.
“The federal government recognizes that some injuries are so severe that you may need assistance with everyday tasks or permanent accommodations for the rest of your life,” said VA disability lawyer Krystal Lechner. “This additional money is intended to pay the veteran for the disability and the accommodations they need to take care of their everyday needs.”
Veterans not eligible for VA disability pay–those without a service-connected disability – can apply for Aid and Attendance benefits through Enhanced or Special Monthly Pension (SMP).
Eligibility requirements
When the VA reviews applications for Aid and Attendance benefits, it looks to see if the veteran meets any of the eligibility criteria. It considers:
- Does the veteran need help dressing and undressing?
- Does the veteran need help keeping clean and presentable?
- Does the veteran require frequent aid to adjust their needed prosthetic or orthopedic appliances?
- Does the veteran need help to feed themself?
- Does the veteran need help to use the bathroom?
- Does the veteran need help to avoid hazards in their daily environment?
Veterans do not have to answer yes to all of the questions above to be eligible for aid and attendance benefits. A veteran who meets only one of the conditions may be eligible for the additional compensation. Veterans also do not need to require constant care in order to qualify.
“Some of the factors that the VA considers everyday tasks that would qualify a veteran for aid and attendance would be the inability to dress, take care of basic hygiene, to feed themselves,” Lechner said. “This would require the assistance of someone else, but not necessarily a medical professional, so this could be a family member, someone that lives with you, or a home nurse.”
The VA may also consider veterans eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits if they need help due to limited eyesight, have to stay in bed a large portion of the day due to illness, or must be in a hospital or nursing home because of severe mental or physical disabilities.
Eligibility requirements for Aid and Attendance through SMC
In addition to the requirements listed above, a veteran must first qualify for disability benefits to be eligible for SMC. Veterans who were injured, or developed physical or mental health conditions during or because of their military service, may qualify for disability benefits.
Eligibility requirements for Aid and Attendance through Special Monthly Pension (SMP)
In addition to the basic criteria listed above, a veteran or survivor must receive a VA pension to be eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits through SMP. Any veteran over the age of 65, below the net worth limit, disabled or not, is eligible for a basic VA pension. Veterans younger than 65 must have a permanent and total (P&T) disability rating from the VA or a permanent disability from Social Security. This disability does not need to be service-connected for Aid and Attendance benefits through SMP.
Health conditions that may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits
While not a comprehensive list, below are a few of the health conditions that may qualify a veteran for Aid and Attendance benefits.
Aid and attendance for veterans with loss of limbs
Veterans who have lost limbs may need help with everyday tasks or assistance with prosthetic or orthopedic appliances. If so, they will qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits.
“They did good by me. I am sick, and the VA was stalling. They got me 100% permanent and total.”
R.W.
Aid and Attendance for veterans with dementia or Alzheimer’s
It is difficult for veterans with dementia or Alzheimer’s to care for themselves. As these diseases progress, more assistance is needed throughout these veterans’ daily lives as eating, bathing, hygiene, and dressing become difficult to remember. In addition, supervision is often required at some point as situations, once mundane, provide opportunities for hazardous accidents.
Aid and Attendance for veterans with PTSD
Some veterans with severe PTSD may need supervision or assistance at home to avoid dangers in everyday life, properly take prescribed medication, and perform other daily tasks.
VA Aid and Attendance rates
Aid and Attendance benefits are offered through SMC for veterans receiving disability benefits or SMP for veterans receiving a VA pension.
SMC Aid and Attendance payments
The VA assigns veterans eligible for SMC a level based on their unique situation. The levels take into account the need for daily help along with any loss of limbs or loss of sight. Once it is determined what level applies to your situation, you can find your basic monthly SMC rate.
Many veterans eligible for Aid and Assistance benefits will fall into Level R. As of 2023, a veteran with no dependents with a level SMC-R.1 designation–meaning the veteran needs assistance with everyday tasks but does not need a healthcare professional to provide this help–has a basic monthly rate of $9,036.89.
A veteran with no dependents with a level SMC-R.2 designation–the veteran does require a healthcare professional for assistance–has a basic monthly rate of $10,365.53.
Veterans with dependents or a spouse receive a higher rate than these “basic” rates. Dependents may include eligible parents and children.
How to receive VA Aid and Attendance benefits
Veterans seeking Aid and Attendance benefits must submit VA Form 21-2680, regardless of if they will seek the benefits through SMC or SMP. This Aid and Attendance form asks for basic medical information and asks questions about the assistance needed for daily activities.
Veterans may be asked to submit other evidence, like a doctor’s report, to prove the need for additional care.
How Woods and Woods can help
Every veteran’s situation is unique, and it can be difficult to determine the best strategy to receive all the benefits you deserve. A VA-accredited law firm, like Woods and Woods, can help you choose the best route. The team of experienced lawyers, case managers, and legal analysts at Woods and Woods never charges veterans for assistance with initial applications for VA disability benefits.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Veterans seeking Aid and Attendance benefits must submit VA Form 21-2680, regardless of if they will seek the benefits through SMC or SMP. This Aid and Attendance form asks for basic medical information and asks questions about the assistance needed for daily activities.
Veterans receiving VA disability benefits or a VA pension who need help to dress, take care of basic hygiene, feed themselves, or require similar assistance in their daily lives may be eligible for Aid and Attendance.
The VA may also consider veterans eligible for aid and attendance benefits if they need help due to limited eyesight, have to stay in bed a large portion of the day due to illness, or must be in a hospital or nursing home because of severe mental or physical disabilities.
