Understanding Housebound vs. VA Aid and Attendance Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers two important benefits for Veterans who require assistance with daily living activities or are housebound—the Housebound benefit and the Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit.

These benefits provide financial support to qualified Veterans and surviving spouses to help pay for care services either in the home or in assisted living facilities. While the Housebound and A&A benefits share some common criteria, there are important distinctions between them in terms of specific eligibility requirements, extent of coverage provided, and application process. Understanding the key differences between these two benefits can help determine which one is more suitable based on individual circumstances and needs.

VA Housebound benefits are designed to help permanently disabled Veterans receive the care they need while they are confined to their houses and even their beds, in some cases. To receive these VA pension benefits, the Veteran must have a single permanent disability that has been evaluated as 100% disabling, confines them to their home, or may also render them bedridden.

The eligibility criteria for VA’s Housebound benefits include:

• The Veteran must have at least one service-connected disability rated at 100% along with additional disability rated at 60% or higher.
• Surviving spouses may be eligible if the deceased veteran meets the disability rating thresholds.

To apply for Housebound benefits:

• The Veteran or surviving spouse must submit the completed VA Form 21-2680 to their VA Regional Office.
• Relevant medical records and a doctor’s evaluation will be required as supporting evidence.
• The VA will review the application and make a decision on approval/denial of the benefits claim.

If approved, the Housebound benefit provides a monthly stipend to the eligible veteran or surviving spouse to financially contribute toward paying for care services in the home or in assisted living communities.

VA Aid and Attendance benefits are meant for Veterans who need assistance with the activities of daily living to maintain a good quality of life. These activities include bathing, grooming, dressing, cooking, medication reminders, and light housekeeping.

Often one of the most overlooked Veterans home care benefits, VA Aid and Attendance benefits provide an additional monetary allowance on top of the regular VA pension, aiding recipients in covering the costs associated with home care, assisted living, or nursing home care. To qualify, applicants must meet certain criteria, including wartime service, financial need, and specific medical conditions that necessitate aid.

Applicants undergo a thorough evaluation process, including financial assessments and medical examinations, to determine eligibility. The Aid and Attendance benefits can be a valuable resource for veterans and their spouses, helping them access necessary care and support. The amount of assistance varies based on the degree of need, and recipients can use the funds to offset expenses related to health care, making it a crucial lifeline for those facing challenges in maintaining their independence and well-being.

The eligibility criteria for VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit include the following mandates:

• The applicant must have served at least 90 days of active duty and have been honorably discharged, with at least one of those days falling during a wartime period.
• The applicant must be 65+ years old OR be permanently disabled and unable to work, requiring aid and attendance of another caregiver, regardless of age, OR has eyesight that is limited to 5/200 even with glasses or contact lenses or has a concentric visual field that’s contracted to five degrees or less.
• A doctor must confirm the applicant’s need for regular aid or attendance of another person to perform and complete daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, eating, and grooming.
• The applicant adheres to specific income thresholds, net worth limits, and criteria determining out-of-pocket medical and care expenses.

Much like VA Housebound benefits, applying for the Aid and Attendance benefit involves submitting the completed VA Form 21-2680 to the VA Regional Office and including medical records and doctor’s evaluation as evidence for care needs. Afterward, the VA then reviews the application and makes a determination.

Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits both have income thresholds for Veterans who apply for this aid. However, the Aid and Attendance threshold is lower than the threshold for Housebound benefits.

These thresholds are determined by Congress, which sets the Maximum Annual Pension Rate. This figure is the pension rate one may receive based on their countable income, the amount of dependents you have, and other financial factors. For example, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 2024 MAPR for a Veteran with no dependents who receives Housebound is $20,226.

The Housebound rate is lower because it’s based on a higher income rate than Aid and Attendance. Both benefits have a three-year financial look-back period, which helps the VA determine if applicants show enough financial need to receive either benefit. Housebound is based on a higher maximum income level, which is why its pension is lower than that of Aid and Attendance.

AVCC works exclusively with the Pension with Aid and Attendance benefit, not the Housebound benefit. We work with this benefit because it’s more suited to providing the home care services Veterans need to maintain a good quality of life.

While we don’t work directly with the Housebound benefit, we want our current and prospective clients to know about it and understand it. That way, they can apply for the Housebound benefit if it best suits their needs.