Veterans Aid & Long-Term Care Information
This benefit is for those veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person or caregiver in at least two of the daily activities of living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting or transferring.
Am I eligible for the V.A. aid and attendance benefit as a veteran or surviving spouse?
- You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a V.A. pension and you meet at least one of the requirements listed below. Please note that there are also income and asset qualifications.
- You need another person to help you perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding and dressing.
- You have to stay in bed – or you spend a large portion of the day in bed – because of illness.
- You’re a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability.
- Your eyesight is limited – even with glasses or contact lenses, you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to five degrees or less.
The maximum pension rate (monthly) 2023*
- Veteran and Spouse (Veteran Needs Care): $2,649
- Single Veteran: $2,229
- Surviving Spouse: $1,432
- Veteran and Spouse Need Care: $2,642
*The pension rate changes annually. Please visit va.gov/pension/survivors-pension-rates for the latest pension rate information.
How do I get this benefit?
Fill out V.A. Form 21-2680 and mail it to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365
For more information, or to download forms, please visit va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound
If you have specific questions about veterans benefits, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs is located at 600 E. University Avenue in Urbana. You can call (217) 278-3388 to speak to them directly.