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Can Veterans’ Wives Get Help With Assisted Living?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
With over a decade of dedicated experience, Andrea Miller boasts an extensive background in healthcare writing and editing. Her expertise spans various facets of the healthcare industry, with a particular focus on nursing, senior care, Alzheimer’s disease, and public health. Andrea has also contributed her editorial talents to reputable publishers in the Philadelphia region, complementing her extensive freelance work.
Reviewed by:
Gene Altaffer has a Masters in Gerontology from the University of Southern California and has worked in many avenues along the continuum of long-term care, assisting thousands of clients and their families since 1995. He also sold long-term care insurance from numerous carriers while also assisting families with retirement planning. Gene helps seniors navigate their Medicare plans, ensuring they understand their benefits and options.
Veterans’ wives can get help with assisted living in certain circumstances. Eligible surviving spouses of deceased veterans receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. DIC provides a monthly tax-free payment as well as Aid and Attendance benefits, which cover assisted living if you need help with daily activities.
When can surviving spouses receive DIC?
Surviving spouses can receive DIC when they lived with the veteran until the person died and meet one of these conditions:
- Had a child with the veteran
- Had a marriage that lasted at least 12 months before the veteran’s death
- Married the veteran within 15 years of the end of the service period when the original injury or disease occurred
- Married the veteran before January 1, 1957
The DIC benefit ends if the surviving spouse remarries before age 57.
When can surviving spouses receive Aid and Attendance for assisted living?
Surviving spouses can receive Aid and Attendance for assisted living if they qualify for DIC and need help with daily activities such as bathing, eating or dressing. You must choose an assisted living community managed or approved by the Veterans Administration.
Fill out VA Form 21-2680 to apply for Aid and Attendance benefits. It collects personal information such as the deceased veteran’s service details, your current address, contact details and information about your medical condition. Your health care provider has to complete the form to attest to the types of assistance you need from this type of care setting.