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US Military Veteran's Aid & Attendance Pension -- A Vastly Under-Used Benefit


The VA has financial help to pay for medical expenses for US military war period veterans and their widows, but, it is often underutilized.

WRNicholsLaw.com offers planning assistance to help veterans who served during a war period and/or their Widows (collectively, "Claimant") qualify for War Veterans' Aid and Attendance to pay for their medical care and other living needs.  Planning is important because there are asset and income limits to qualify for these benefits.  The Claimant may qualify for this benefit if the service, financial and medical qualifications are met.  The Veteran can also qualify for medical supplies and medicines from the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA).  This benefit is called Aid and Attendance Pension ("A&A").  A&A is not a pension.  A&A is a non-service connected disability.

The household must have significantly less than $80,000 in Allowable Countable Assets, subject to the VA's discretion.  The Adjusted Household income must be less than the A&A benefit.

A&A Qualification Rules


The War Veteran must have:
  • Served 90 Consecutive days on active military duty
  • Received a better than dishonorable discharge
  • Served at least one (1) day of active duty during a war period.  There is no requirement that any service be performed in a combat zone.

Max A&A Benefit for 2011

Veteran with a spouse can qualify for $1,337 - $2,019 monthly or up to $24,239 annually
Single Veteran can qualify for $1,021 - $1,703 monthly or up to $20,447 annually
Surviving Spouse can qualify for $684 - $1,094 monthly or up to $13,138 annually

Widow(er) Household


To qualify:
  • The Widow(er) must not have divorced the veteran or remarried after the Veteran's death;
  • Claimant must be certified by a doctor as needing assistance with their daily living activities.

    Contact WRNicholsLaw today:  855-497-6529 (855-4-WRN-LAW) or email Wally (wrn@wrnicholslaw.com) to schedule a comprehensive estate planning consultation.