Before applying, we verify that the applicant meets all VA Aid and Attendance eligibility requirements:

1. Military Service: Veteran served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period.
• Discharge must be honorable or general.

2. Health Need: Must require assistance with daily living activities (bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.), be bedridden, blind, or in a nursing home due to disability.

3. Financial Limit: Net worth (income + assets) must be below the VA’s annual limit (as of 2024, \$155,356). Home and car are exempt.

4. Relationship: If the applicant is a surviving spouse, they must have been married to the veteran at the time of the veteran’s death and not remarried.

We help the Veteran locate or request:

1. Discharge/separation papers (DD-214) showing:
• At least 90 days of active duty
• At least 1 day of service during wartime (not necessarily in combat)

2. Marriage certificate (and death certificate if applying as a surviving spouse)

3. Proof of income (Social Security, pensions, retirement, etc.)

4. Financial statements (bank accounts, investments)

5. Documentation of unreimbursed medical expenses

6. Physician’s report stating need for assistance (VA Form 21-2680)

7. Statement from care provider or facility, if applicable

8. Photo ID and Social Security numbers

Fill out the following forms based on your situation:

Veteran applicant

• VA Form 21-527EZ – Application for Pension

Surviving spouse applicant:

• VA Form 21-534EZ – Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits

Everyone:

• VA Form 21-2680 – Examination for Housebound Status or Aid and Attendance

• VA Form 21-0779 – Request for Nursing Home Information (only if in a nursing home)

These forms are available at (https://www.va.gov/find-forms/).

We verify all the required elements are submitted and correct as any errors are grounds for rejection by the VA.
We then submit your completed application package in one of three ways dependent on availability:

• By mail: We send to your regional Pension Management Center.

• Online: Submit through the VA website using a VA.gov account.

• In person: Submit through a local VA office or with help from a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), such as from the VFW, DAV, or American Legion.

• The VA may contact you for additional information or clarification.

• We will respond promptly to any correspondence.

• We monitor application status online and give you regular status updates of on it.

• Processing typically takes 3 to 6 months, but can vary.

• If approved, the benefit may be retroactive to the date of application.

• If rejected, we can file an appeal or get clarification as to the root cause.