VA "Aid and Attendance" Payments an Under-Used Benefit

ATLANTA - There is an under-used, special monthly pension benefit available to Georgia's wartime veterans and surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans incapable of self support and in need of regular personal assistance.

"Many wartime veterans and surviving spouses whose incomes are above the federally mandated limit for a basic VA pension may still be eligible for pension at the higher housebound or Aid and Attendance rate," points out Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Pete Wheeler. "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 any wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home care or who live in nursing-homes or assisted-living facilities.

"Especially helpful if they have large medical expenses that they may not receive reimbursement," noted Commissioner Wheeler.

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.

Commissioner Wheeler encourages those veterans or spouses who feel they may be eligible to contact the department's field office nearest to where they live for more information and assistance on how to go abotu filing for this benefit.

Contact information for the Newnan Field Office is:

22 E. Broad St.
Room 119
Newnan, GA 30264

Phone: 770-254-7260
Fax: 770-254-7339
E-mail: kmills@vs.state.ga.us