If your loved one is a wartime veteran or the surviving spouse of one, there may be a benefit that helps pay for in-home care: VA Aid & Attendance. It’s often overlooked, and it can make a real difference in affording a caregiver at home. This guide explains what it is, who may qualify, and how to apply — for families across Philadelphia and Delaware County.
Apple Home Care is not affiliated with the VA, and eligibility is decided by the VA — but many of the families we serve use this benefit to help cover home care, so we want you to know it exists.
What Is VA Aid & Attendance?
Aid & Attendance is an increased monthly amount added to a VA pension. It’s paid to qualifying veterans and surviving spouses who need help with everyday activities. Because it’s part of the needs-based VA Pension program, it’s designed for wartime veterans with limited income and assets — not the same thing as VA disability compensation. The money is flexible: families can put it toward in-home care.
Who May Qualify?
The VA looks at several things together. In general, your loved one may qualify if they:
- Are a wartime veteran or the surviving spouse of one — with the required period of service.
- Need help with daily activities — such as bathing, dressing, or eating; or are bedridden, living in a nursing home, or have very limited eyesight.
- Meet the income and asset limits — the VA reviews net worth and income, and unreimbursed medical costs (like paying for home care) can be counted in your favor.
Because the rules involve service dates, income, and net worth, the best way to know for sure is to have your loved one’s situation reviewed by the VA or an accredited representative — more on that below.
How It Helps Pay for Home Care
Once approved, Aid & Attendance is paid as a monthly benefit. Families commonly use it toward the cost of a non-medical home care agency like ours — help with bathing, dressing, meals, medication reminders, mobility, and companionship. And here’s an important detail: the ongoing cost of paying for that home care is exactly the kind of unreimbursed medical expense the VA can factor into eligibility, which sometimes helps a family qualify.
Monthly benefit amounts are set by the VA and adjust each year, so we don’t list figures here — check the current rates at VA.gov.
How to Apply
You apply for Aid & Attendance as part of a VA pension claim. In practice that usually means:
- Gather the basics — discharge papers (DD-214), and information on income, assets, and medical expenses.
- Have the doctor complete VA Form 21-2680 — the examination form that documents the need for aid and attendance.
- File the pension application with the VA, including the Aid & Attendance request.
- Work with an accredited representative — an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) will help you file at no charge.
One caution: filing for VA benefits is free, and accredited VSOs help at no cost. Be wary of any company that charges a fee to prepare your claim or ties the benefit to buying a financial product.
How Apple Home Care Helps Philadelphia Veterans
We provide the non-medical in-home care that Aid & Attendance is often used to pay for — personal care, companion care, respite, and specialized care — across Philadelphia, Upper Darby, Drexel Hill, Lansdowne, Havertown, and Delaware County. We can start care while a benefit application is in process, and we provide the invoices and documentation of care costs that families need for their VA paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can VA Aid & Attendance pay for a home care agency?
Yes. Once approved, the benefit is paid monthly and families commonly use it toward non-medical in-home care, including help with bathing, dressing, meals, medication reminders, mobility, and companionship.
Do surviving spouses qualify?
They can. Surviving spouses of wartime veterans may qualify for Aid & Attendance through the VA Survivors Pension if they need help with daily activities and meet the program’s requirements.
Is Aid & Attendance the same as VA disability compensation?
No. Aid & Attendance is an added amount on the needs-based VA Pension, for wartime veterans and survivors with limited income who need help with daily activities. VA disability compensation is a separate, service-connected benefit.
How long does approval take?
Processing times vary. Because approval can take a while, many families begin private-pay home care right away and use the benefit once it’s approved. We’re glad to provide the care documentation you’ll need along the way.
Where can I get free help applying?
An accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can help you file at no cost. You can also find current benefit details and forms at VA.gov. Filing for VA benefits is always free — be cautious of anyone charging to prepare your claim.
Talk to Us About Home Care for Your Veteran
If your loved one served, they may have earned help affording care at home. Call 215-730-1020 or email info@applehomecr.com for a free, no-pressure consultation, and we’ll help you plan care and gather what you need for a VA Aid & Attendance claim.