To view and download VA news release, please visit the following
Internet address:
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel

Secretary Nicholson: VA Reaches Out to Veterans and Spouses
"Aid and Attendance" an Under-Used Benefit

WASHINGTON (Dec. 19, 2006) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is
reaching out to inform wartime veterans and surviving spouses of
deceased wartime veterans about an under-used, special monthly pension
benefit called Aid and Attendance.

"Veterans have earned this benefit by their service to our nation," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "We want to ensure that
every veteran or surviving spouse who qualifies has the chance to
apply."

Although this is not a new program, not everyone is aware of his or her
potential eligibility. The Aid and Attendance pension benefit may be
available to wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home
care or who live in nursing-homes or assisted-living facilities.

Many elderly veterans and surviving spouses whose incomes are above the
congressionally mandated legal limit for a VA pension may still be
eligible for the special monthly Aid and Attendance benefit if they have
large medical expenses, including nursing home expenses, for which they
do not receive reimbursement.

To qualify, claimants must be incapable of self support and in need of
regular personal assistance.

The basic criteria for the Aid and Attendance benefit include the
inability to feed oneself, to dress and undress without assistance, or
to take care of one's own bodily needs. People who are bedridden or
need help to adjust special prosthetic or orthopedic devices may also be
eligible, as well as those who have a physical or mental injury or
illness that requires regular assistance to protect them from hazards or
dangers in their daily environment.

For a wartime veteran or surviving spouse to qualify for this special
monthly pension, the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active
military service, one day of which was during a period of war, and be
discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Wartime veterans who entered active duty on or after September 8, 1980,
(October 16, 1981, for officers) must have completed at least 24
continuous months of military service or the period for which they were
ordered to active duty.

If all requirements are met, VA determines eligibility for the Aid and
Attendance benefit by adjusting for un-reimbursed medical expenses from
the veteran's or surviving spouse's total household income. If the
remaining income amount falls below the annual income threshold for the
Aid and Attendance benefit, VA pays the difference between the
claimant's household income and the Aid and Attendance threshold.

The Aid and Attendance income threshold for a veteran without dependents
is now $18,234 annually. The threshold increases to $21,615 if a
veteran has one dependent, and by $1,866 for each additional dependent.
The annual Aid and Attendance threshold for a surviving spouse alone is
$11,715. This threshold increases to $13,976 if there is one dependent
child, and by $1,866 for each additional child.

Additional information and assistance in applying for the Aid and
Attendance benefit may be obtained by calling 1-800-827-1000.
Applications may be submitted on-line at
www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. Information is also
available on the Internet at www.va.gov or from any local veterans
service organization.