Many veterans and surviving spouses are unaware that they could be eligible to receive a significant monthly income through the Veterans Administration Aid & Attendance pension benefit. This program is designed to provide financial aid to veterans or surviving spouses who require services for any number of daily activities. Living at a Holiday Retirement community may help veterans qualify to receive the pension.
A rare opportunity
General Hugh Shelton outlines the Aid & Attendance Benefit
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible?
Holiday residents on applying for Aid & Attendance benefits.
Eligibility is based on three simple criteria: veteran status, health status, and financial status. To meet the veteran status, veterans or a surviving spouse must have served 90 consecutive days of active duty and one day during a declared war. The health status requires a doctor to indicate the individuals' need for aid and attendance, and financial qualifications are determined by the Veterans Administration. Note that the Veterans Administration does not provide official guidelines on how to qualify medically or financially, and each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
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What are the basic requirements for a Veteran?
The basic qualifications are as follows:
- Served “Active Duty”
- Served 90 consecutive days of active duty
- Served 1 of the 90 days in a “War-Time” era
- Not dishonorably discharged
- 65 or older or prove disability
- Demonstrated need
- Limited income
- Limited liquid assets
There are other qualifications that have to be reviewed in order to meet eligibility. Individuals are encouraged to speak privately to their local Veterans Service Officer
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What are the basic for the surviving spouse of a veteran?
The basic qualifications are as follows:
- Married to the wartime Veteran
- Married to the wartime Veteran at his/her death
- Married to the wartime Veteran for 1 year or more
- Did not remarry if veteran passed away
- Veteran served 90 consecutive days of active duty
- Veteran served 1 of the 90 days in a “War-Time” era
- Veterans was not dishonorably discharged
- Surviving spouse demonstrated need
- Limited income
- Limited liquid assets
There are other qualifications that have to be reviewed in order to meet eligibility. Individuals are encouraged to speak privately to their local Veterans Service Officer
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What are the recognized time periods that qualify as a "Wartime Era" by the Department of Veterans Affairs?
World War II: December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946
Korean War: June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955
Vietnam War: August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975
(February 28, 1961, for veterans who served “in country” before August 5, 1964)
Gulf War: August 2, 1990 through TBD
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How do I apply?
Contact a Veteran's Service Provider near you.
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How long does it take?
The Veteran's Administration has indicated that it may take 12-18 months to review applications submitted.
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How much can I receive?
Qualified applicants may be entitled, in 2012, of up to:
Veteran: $1,703 per month
Veteran & Spouse: $2,019 per month
Surviving Spouse: $1,094 per month
Benefit amounts are determined by the VA and are based on need. The amounts listed above are the maximum that can be obtained, but individual awards will vary depending on demonstrated nee
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How does living at Holiday help me qualify?
Holiday Retirement communities provide meal service, transportation, and 24-hour attendance to emergency call systems in each apartment, which may help veterans meet part of the Aid & Attendance eligibility requirements. Holiday Retirement can provide residents with a community or facility expense statement that applicants may include.
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