Veterans Administration Aid & Attendance / Homebound Program
Did you know there are benefits that can assist you in paying for much needed home care services?
Are you a wartime veteran or the spouse of one and in need of assistance with activities of daily living?
If so, you may be eligible to receive a significant monthly income from the Department of Veterans Affairs through a program called the Aid and Attendance.
The Veterans Aid & Attendance / Homebound Program is for veterans who are at least 50% disabled due to a service-related condition. They are eligible for home health care coverage provided by the Veterans Administration (VA). A physician must authorize these services, which must be delivered through the VA’s network of hospital-based home care units.
Being able to access benefits through the VA Aid and Attendance offers you access to much needed care and services in the comfort of your own home.
Annual pension amounts DO NOT INTERFERE with your Social Security income, Company pensions, Investment Income, or Military Retirement.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE AID & ATTENDANCE AND HOUSEBOUND PROGRAM
VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors.
You can still file a claim and apply for benefits during the coronavirus pandemic.
To be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits as a Veteran or survivor, at least one of these must be true:
- You need another person to help you perform your activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, feeding, and dressing, or
- You have to spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness, or
- You are a client in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability, or
- Your eyesight is limited (even with glasses or contact lenses you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less)
Housebound benefits eligibility
If you get a VA pension and you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability (a disability that doesn’t go away), you may be eligible for this benefit.
Note: You can’t get Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time.
How do I apply for this benefit?
You can apply for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits in one of these ways:
After you fill out application FORM 2680, have your doctor fill out the examination information section.
You can also include with your VA form:
FORM: https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-2680-ARE.pdf
- Other evidence, like a doctor’s report, that shows you need Aid and Attendance or Housebound care
- Details about what you normally do during the day and how you get to places
- Details that help show what kind of illness, injury, or mental or physical disability affects your ability to do things, like take a bath, on your own.
Mail your completed VA form to your Pension Management Center (PMC)
FOR FLORIDA, MAIL FORM TO:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Due to COVID-19, some facilities are not open to the public at this time, but staff is still available by phone at (800) 827-1000, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. If you have hearing loss, call TTY 711.
Do not hesitate to call Jabez Home Care if you have any questions or need help with form at (754)244-5808.
