Veterans Benefits for Long-Term Care in North Carolina

At W.G. Alexander & Associates, we believe that veterans who have sacrificed for our nation deserve to receive all the benefits they have earned. One of the most important—and often overlooked—of these is a pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that can help pay for the high cost of long-term care.

Navigating the VA system can be complex and frustrating. As VA-accredited attorneys based in Raleigh, we are honored to help veterans and their surviving spouses across North Carolina understand their options and access the benefits they are entitled to.

The VA Pension with Aid & Attendance

The benefit that helps veterans pay for long-term care is a special pension. It’s helpful to think of it in two parts:

  1. The Basic VA Pension (or “Improved Pension”): This is the foundational benefit for wartime veterans with limited income and assets who are either over 65 or have a permanent and total disability.
  2. The Aid & Attendance Allowance: This is an additional, tax-free monetary allowance that is added on top of the basic pension. To receive this higher payment, a physician must certify that the applicant needs the regular assistance of another person for daily activities like bathing, dressing, or medication management.

Because most people seeking this benefit need it for long-term care, “Aid & Attendance” has become the common term for the entire pension. It is the key that unlocks the highest possible payment to help cover these costs.

Who is Eligible for the Pension with Aid & Attendance?

Qualification involves meeting three main sets of criteria: service, medical need, and financial requirements.

1. Service Requirements

The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one of those days occurring during a period of war. It is not required for the veteran to have served in a combat zone. The discharge must have been under conditions other than dishonorable.

2. Medical Need

To receive the higher Aid & Attendance allowance, a physician must certify that the applicant needs assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). This includes individuals who are in a nursing home, require in-home care, or are living with cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s or dementia.

3. Financial Requirements

The VA sets limits on an applicant’s income and assets. However, many families who initially believe they won’t qualify financially may be able to become eligible with proper legal planning. The VA allows you to deduct recurring medical expenses—including the cost of long-term care—from your income, which is a key part of the qualification process.

How an Accredited Attorney Can Help

“It is our duty to ensure that veterans are not forced to exhaust their assets on long-term care. With the right legal strategies, we can often help families restructure their finances to meet VA requirements while preserving their hard-earned legacy.”  
Bill Alexander, VA-Accredited Attorney

Attempting to qualify for VA benefits without professional guidance can be risky. A mistake in the application process can lead to delays or denials, and certain financial decisions can unintentionally jeopardize future eligibility for other programs like Medicaid.

Our team can help you:

  • Analyze your situation to determine if you meet the VA’s eligibility criteria.
  • Develop a legal strategy to properly structure your assets and income.
  • Guide you through every step of the complex application process.

Frequently Asked Questions About VA Benefits

Do I have to have served in combat to qualify for Aid & Attendance?

No. The requirement is that the veteran served at least one day on active duty during a recognized wartime period. Combat service is not a prerequisite.

Can I still qualify if my income or assets are currently too high?

Potentially, yes. The VA’s financial rules are complex. An experienced elder law attorney can help you understand legal strategies, such as creating specific types of trusts, that may allow you to become eligible while protecting your assets for your family.

Get the Help You Deserve

You protected our country. Now let us help protect you and your family. If you are a wartime veteran or a surviving spouse facing the costs of long-term care, contact us to find out how we can assist you.

From our Raleigh office, we proudly serve veterans throughout North Carolina. Call us at (919) 256-7000 today to schedule a consultation.