What is Aid & Attendance?  It is an additional stipend which is added to your DIC.  If you are eligible for either DIC or SBP, you are eligible to apply for Aid & Attendance and House Bound.

What is the difference between the two stipends and how much is the amount you receive a month?  2022 the current amount of Aid & Attendance is $356.16/month.  The amount for House Bound is $166.85.  Aid & Attendance is for those who need assistance with basic skills needed for living.  House  Bound is for those who are unable to leave their home.   For example, you are able to eat, get dressed, and can take your medications on your own, but you are unable to get out of the house due to issues with your legs, breathing, etc.

How do you apply?  Use form 21-2680.   https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/vba-21-2680-are.pdf

May you apply if you are in a nursing home?  If you are in a nursing home and applying, use 21-0779:  https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-0779/

Who fills out the form?  You must have your health provider fill out the questions and sign off on the form.  The questions have to do with your difficulty in eating, hygiene, medication management, do you need nursing home care, or are you blind?

How long does it take to be approved?  The usual time is 6-8 weeks.

Once approved, the assumption is that you will be aging and probably not regain any of the functions that made you eligible.  Therefore, you will not have to keep showing the need.  However, the stipends can be awarded for a temporary situation as opposed to long term. 

What would be an example of temporary? A knee replacement.  It would then be up to you to advise the VA you no longer need Aid & Attendance.

What can the money be used for?  It is not designated how you spend it.  You could spend it on outside help, on ramps, on making your home easier to navigate.  How you spend it is up to you.

Can a minor child receive Aid & Attendance.  No, this is only for spouses.

Is the stipend income related?  No, this is not Medicaid and not related to your income.   While Veterans may have an income threshold for these benefits, surviving spouses do not.

The only benefit for spouses that IS income related is the “survivors pension”.  Anyone who receives DIC and/or SBP does NOT qualify for the survivors pension.  This pension is for widowed who do NOT qualify for DIC and/or SBP, but their Veteran served in the military.  This benefit is income related – it is a safety net to be sure no widow of a Veteran is in total poverty.  None of us who receive DIC also qualify for the basic “survivors pension”.

Where should you mail the forms? If the applicant lives in AL, AR, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, OH, TN, or WI:

Mail to: Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: Milwaukee Pension Center
PO Box 5192
Janesville, WI 53547-5192

AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, KS, MN, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY

Mail to: Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: St. Paul Pension Center
PO Box 5365                                                                                                           Janesville, WI  53547-5365

CT, DE, FL, GA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NC, NY, PA, PR, RI, SC, VT, VA, WV

Mail to:  Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365