Veterans or surviving spouses who qualify for a VA pension may be eligible for additional financial help to cover assisted living expenses. The additional monetary pension is referred to as <ahref="http: www.military.com="" benefits="" veteran-benefits="" aid-attendance-and-house-bound-benefits.html"=""> </ahref="http:>Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. You may qualify for the benefit if you need the assistance of another person to perform daily living activities or your disability confines you to your home or living facility.
Eligibility
A veteran or his surviving spouse may be eligible if he needs assistance with daily activities such as:
- Bathing
- Feeding
- Dressing
- Adjusting prosthetic devices
- Protecting himself from environmental hazards or dangers. For example, the veteran can't safely live along without risking injury to himself.
A veteran may also be eligible if he is:
- Bedridden
- Currently in a nursing home due to mental or physical state
- Blind or nearly blind
- Confined to the immediate premises due to the disability.
Physician's Report
Ask your physician to complete the examination form. The form is a report that states the nature of your disability and physical or mental impairments resulting from the condition. It also details his observations of your ability to perform daily activities and how well you get around, where you go and your daily routine.
Application Process
- Obtain Form 21-527EZ Application for Pension online. You can also pick up the form at a regional VA office or request it through the mail.
- Complete the form by providing personal identifying information. You'll need to answer basic questions about yourself, including your disability, work history, martial status, dependent children, income and medical expenses.
- Include proof of all income including pensions, retirement and interest income.
- Include proof of discharge from service, such as a copy of your DD 214.
- Submit your application, financial documents and physician's report to your closest regional VA office.
Applications can take several months to process. If approved, benefits are retroactive from the date the application is received by the VA office.