Assisted living is expensive, but VA Aid and Attendance can help eligible veterans and surviving spouses afford it. Here is how.
How Aid and Attendance helps with assisted living costs
Assisted living can cost several thousand dollars per month, and Medicare does not cover it. VA Aid and Attendance helps in two ways. First, because your benefit is paid as tax-free cash, you can apply it directly to your monthly facility bill. Second, those facility fees count as unreimbursed medical expenses, which the VA subtracts from your income, often pushing your countable income low enough to qualify for the maximum benefit. In other words, the very cost of assisted living can both raise your benefit and be paid by it. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP to see how the math works for your community.
Qualifying when you live in assisted living
Living in an assisted living community often strengthens an Aid and Attendance claim because the care you receive helps satisfy the medical-need requirement. To document this, ask the facility for a statement of the care services you receive and have your physician complete VA Form 21-2680. Keep monthly invoices showing your fees, since these support both your care need and your expense deductions. Pair this with proof of wartime service and your financial records. Because facilities vary in how they document care, getting it right matters. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP for help assembling a strong application.