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Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Merchant Marines...you should apply for Aide & Attendance. It costs NOTHING to apply!

Aide & Attendance is a Federal program funded by the Veteran Administration. It is considered pension compensation for wartime or combat veterans. Only those Veterans who served during a time of active war are eligible. Army, Navy, Marines, Merchant Marines, Air Core, Air Force, Covert, Seals are eligible.

If you receive an aide and attendance application from us consider it a SAMPLE for the purpose to illustrate what your application may look like as a draft copy. Under federal law only an applicant can produce their own application. That said to create your own you visit any VFW, American Legion or VA Medical Center ask for a Veterans Officer or claims office. The officer is trained to assist Veterans and their families on how to complete these types of applications. An application attached may have specific sections highlighted, (privileged information) applicant must obtain answers. Please note that this is a sample (DRAFT) of the VA application. Follow these simple instructions below:

Using the internet, go to www.VA.gov (the web site for the Veteran Administration). On the right of the home page see "Quick List" click on the link "VA Forms". It will open to a page whereby at the top portion enter the form number in the field appropriate to the application you are applying.

In the box select one of these options:

If you are a Spouse of a Veteran put in 21-534 and click search

If you are a Veteran put in 21-526 and click search

If you are a Couple and one of you is a Veteran 21-526 and click search

If you are a child of a Veteran put in 21-534 and click search

At top of the next screen click on the matching link 21-534 (spouse or child) or 21-526 (Veteran or Vet & Spouse couple) which opens to the application. Make sure that you print your application when finished. Leave no unanswered or blank questions. If a question doesn't apply write n/a, if questions repeat themselves duplicate answers. Make sure to fill in every space.

Only leave a question blank if you don't know if you guess and are wrong your application is denied. At the conclusion, prepare a list of questions you don't have answers, you have one opportunity to email them to our "advocate" teaching you to navigate the process and we will forward to a VA officer. In the subject matter of your email write VA questions. If the "advocate" doesn't respond within 5 business days, call the office and leave a message for the Director 800.939.2650. We will then pass your questions onto a Veteran Officer who will address your concerns.

A VA Officer located at a VFW, American Legion or VA Hospital can help you to navigate the application. Regardless if they discourage you from applying, apply anyway. Even if the Veteran Officer discourages you from applying, apply anyway be relentless, insist to fill out the application and mail it in.

Please call us when you get approved, so we can share your jubilation!

Important hints when completing an application:

DO NOT click TAB KEY after QUESTION 39, sometimes it can erase everything already typed.

Children: Questions ask about your children specifically relate to if you receive money (not as a gift) routine subsidy from your children, then they want to know about your children. If you send them money on a routine basis to help your children out, then they want to know about it. However if you do not send your children money or receive money regularly from your kids then you can write n/a or strike through this section.

If applying with the assistance of a VA Officer, it has been reported that sometimes those agencies discourage Veterans and their families from applying. Please ignore them and apply anyway. Applying is free and your ability to receive benefits is based on care need and expenses associated. We have seen all types of individuals get approved and you will never know unless you try. It costs nothing to apply so go for it!

Please be vigilant and the squeaky wheel by contacting the VA routinely to get an update on your application. If you are waiting for your approval greater than 5 months, it can't hurt to send a letter asking your congressman for help. Once your application is received from the VA you will receive a letter keep all correspondence from the VA in a file and to call to check on your status 800.827.1000.

Prior to sending off your application, attach the following:

VETERAN Form (21-526)

DD214

Plan of Care (if appropriate)

VA Medical Form for Vet

Attach 3 months most current months of bank statements

Attach recent 3 years of tax returns (encouraged)

Attach Caregiver Statements (if available)

Attach Personal Service Agreement (if available)

Attach a voided personal check

VETERAN and Spouse Applications Form (21-534)

Marriage Certificate

DD214

Plan of Care (if appropriate)

VA Medical Form for Vet and Spouse

Attach 3 months most current bank statements

Attach recent 3 years of tax returns (encouraged)

Attach Caregiver Statements (if available)

Attach Personal Service Agreement (if available)

Attach a voided personal check

Surviving Spouse or Child of Veteran Form (21-524)

Marriage Certificate

Veteran's Death Certificate

Birth Certificate

DD214 (Separation Papers)

Plan of Care (if appropriate)

VA Medical Form for Spouse and or Surviving Child

Attach 3 months most current bank statements

Attach recent 3 years of tax returns (encouraged)

Attach Caregiver Statements (if available)

Attach Personal Service Agreement (if available)

Attach a voided personal check

Florida Assisted Living Coalition cannot manage the high volume of calls without the help of our contracted providers. Our goal is to be supportive and help provide options to achieve a positive result at the end of the rainbow. Among those contracted providers is Assisted Living Lifestyles. A "plan of care" may be necessary to demonstrate your physical needs for subsidy up front and sent as an attachment with your application. This is a helpful tool (backup) supporting your claim. As a means to offer full disclosure Assisted Living Lifestyles is a contracted provider for businesses supported by the homecare, home health and assisted living industry. Thus if you have the option to use one of their providers it is encouraged, but you also reserve the right to use your own provider at your own discretion. Once approved each year you will have to send in a revised physical and renewal form. If you have questions pertaining to the application check with a Veteran Officer* or visit a VA facility, American Legion or VFW for details.

VA Subsidy Benefits: The Aide and Attendance Program founded in 1953 is a pension above social security income. Recipients can own a home and family car. Eligible may apply for financial entitlement to offset care costs which include assisted living and homecare. You do not have to live in an assisted living facility or have a full time caregiver to be eligible, but you must demonstrate medical expenses beyond income, to receive subsidy. Candidates get reimbursed for care/medical expenses up to the cap amount of the plan. You do not have to manipulate or shelter assets to garner benefit. Our policy does not allow us to get involved with financial components of your application. It is recommended to check with a trusted attorney and a financial planner before making important financial decisions.

If you are considering Senior Independent Living, Assisted Living or Memory Care, please call as your resource to finding those housing options. We are your discount to those communities negotiating your best price for the most amenities and services. Call us for help at no charge.

*article in the Sun-Sentinel (Broward) on Veteran's Day 2011 illustrates media view of program perimeters