Long-Term Care Benefits for Veterans and Surviving Spouses

About 70 percent of adults age 65 and older will need long-term care services at some point in their later years. Costs for this type of care can accumulate quickly, but for military veterans and their surviving spouses, help may be available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has an underutilized benefit called Aid and Attendance. This benefit provides money to those who need assistance performing activities of daily living (ADLs), including tasks such as bathing, dressing, and feeding themselves. Even veterans whose income is above the legal limit for a VA pension may qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit if they have unreimbursed, recurring medical expenses.

Aid and Attendance

Aid and Attendance is considered a military pension benefit. This means it is available to military veterans who served at least 90 days, with at least one day during wartime. The veteran does not have to have a service-related disability to qualify.

Asset and Income Limit

To qualify, a veteran cannot have more than $159,240 in assets and income in 2025. This limit increases each year with cost-of-living adjustments. An applicant’s assets do not include a house  on up to a 2-acre lot, and applicants can also deduct unreimbursed, recurring medical expenses from their income, including items such as Medicare, Medigap, and long-term care insurance premiums.

Transfers and Penalties

There is a three-year look back to determine whether the military veteran transferred assets to ensure they would qualify for pension benefits. Applicants involved in any financial transactions during the three years before they apply for benefits should therefore disclose these transactions.

Applicants who transferred assets within three years of applying so they could be under the asset and income limit will face a penalty period. This penalty period can last as long as five years. During this time, the person who transferred assets is not eligible for pension benefits.

Amount of Benefit

The amount a person receives depends on their income. The VA pays the difference between the veteran’s income and the MAPR (Maximum Annual Pension Rate) amount. The MAPR for those who qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits is different depending on the number of dependents the veteran has and whether the veteran’s spouse is also a veteran that qualifies for VA benefits. Generally, for veterans who qualify for Aid and Attendance, the base benefit amount for someone with no spouse and no dependents is $28,300. This number increases based on the amount of dependents a veteran has and if their spouse is also a veteran that qualifies for VA benefits.

For additional information, check out the following resources:

• Contact your local VA office
• Download the Russo Law Group Veterans Benefits Planning Guide
• Download the Veterans Administration Guide to Long-Term Care

To determine whether you are eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 1 (800) 680-1717. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.