Veteran’s Benefits

Veteran’s Benefits encompass many advantages, but when Veterans retire and age, there are a few extra benefits to assist them (or their surviving spouse). These include financial, legal, housing, home care, loneliness, transportation, and health. However, some of these benefits are only available to those who meet the service eligibility requirements.

What are the service eligibility requirements?

  1. You must have 90 days or more of active wartime duty, with at least one day during wartime.
    • World War II (December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946)
    • Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955)
    • Vietnam War (February 28, 1961 to August 4, 1964)
      • For Veterans serving state side (August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975)
    • Gulf War (August 20, 1990 to yet to be determined)
  2. A veteran has been honorably or generally discharged.
  3. Must be at least 65 years old, or 100% disabled.
  4. You or your spouse must require assisted living, nursing care, or home care.

What benefits can older veterans receive?

Many people are unaware that wartime veterans who do not have a service-connected disability can receive VA Pension with Aid and Attendance or Housebound Benefits. (Note that you cannot receive both.)

The Aid and Attendance is a particular service of additional money that can be added to the Veteran’s pension to assist in paying for home care (those needing help with activities of daily living). It can also help pay for certain types of respite care, such as an adult day program.

Veterans Home Care Services
Veterans Home Care Services

Keep in mind that there is another set of requirements to receive the above Home Care Services.

These include:

  • A veteran, or the surviving spouse of a veteran, that served at least 90 days of active duty, including one day during wartime, and was honorably or generally discharged.
  • A non-service-connected medical condition preventing them from performing activities of daily living (ADLs).
  • Lastly, a net worth of $150, 538 or less (excluding primary residence and auto.)

*Note that all benefits require a claim (application) and it does take a bit of time to receive an approval. There are many non-profits that can assist with filing claims, such as Veterans Home Care, Vietnam Veterans, American Legion, and your local VA office.

A veteran’s benefit we don’t talk much about…

Memorials and Funerals can be costly and knowing that the VA can assist our veterans and their families during this difficult time is a great relief to many. Some of these benefits include funeral services, burials, headstones, transportation, and bereavement counseling.

There are many places to learn more about Veteran’s Benefits.

Here are a few of those resources:

In all, find out if you, or the older adult you are assisting, can receive veteran’s benefits by visiting a local VA office or Elder Law Attorney that specializes in VA Benefits.