Housebound is an increased monthly pension amount. It is paid to permanently disabled Veterans who are greatly confined to their homes. You have a single permanent disability evaluated as 100-percent disabling. Because of this, you are permanently confined to your immediate location.
Too many veterans are under the impression that they can only receive one benefit or the other – that's not true. Veterans with a 100% rating are also eligible for Special Monthly Compensation like Aid & Attendance benefits.
VA Aid and Attendance Benefit Rates for 2021
| STATUS | 2020 MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNT | 2021 ANNUAL BENEFIT AMOUNT |
|---|
| Surviving Spouse | $1,228 | $14,928 |
| Single Veteran | $1,911 | $23,232 |
| Married Veteran | $2,266 | $27,540 |
| Two Married Veterans | $3,032 | $36,852 |
Usually, the Aid and Attendance benefit is not countable income for the purposes of eligibility for Medicaid community benefits. Social Security benefits are counted as income for Medicaid eligibility purposes.
VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance. VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you need help with daily activities, or you're housebound, find out if you qualify.
How long does it take before you receive the Veterans' Aid & Attendance benefit? Broadly, it can take anywhere from three months (90 days) to six months. But the VA will expedite your application if you are over 90 years old or in hospice so you can receive this monetary pension benefit more quickly.
Pension with aid and attendance is one of only a few government programs that pays family caregivers to provide care services for their loved ones to help them remain in their homes. It is important to note that deductible medical expenses from paying family caregivers are applicable to all members of the household.
If the veteran is currently at a 100% va disability rate, and VA finds that the veteran is housebound, they will pay the veteran at the
100% rate with an additional $375 per month.
Basic SMC-S Rates with Dependents, Including Children.
| Dependent Status | Compensation |
|---|
| Veteran with Spouse, One Parent and One Child | $3,966.54 |
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Rate Table - Effective 12/1/12
| Dependent Status | L | N |
|---|
| Veteran Alone | $3,504 | $4,399 |
| Veteran with Spouse | $3,661 | $4,556 |
| Veteran with Spouse and One Parent | $3,787 | $4,682 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $3,913 | $4,808 |
How is Pension Calculated?
| For a Living Veteran | Yearly | Monthly |
|---|
| Housebound With One Dependent | $21,063 | $1,755 |
| Aid and Attendance Without Dependents | $22,939 | $1,911 |
| Aid and Attendance With One Dependent | $27,195 | $2,266 |
| Add for Each Additional Child | $2,351 | $195 |
Veterans who qualify for SMC-S may also be in a hospital ward. Typically, veterans who are housebound are unable to leave their dwelling due to their service-connected disability. This is typically a permanent circumstance.
VA Disability benefits are tax-free. Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-related disability and they were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. Notice that there aren't any income restrictions for VA Disability!
Family Caregivers will receive an average $1,600 in monthly stipend payments. The initial payments will average $2,500 because the first stipend checks are retroactive to the date of application.
Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an enhanced or special monthly pension benefit paid in addition to basic pension. Housebound is an enhanced or special monthly pension benefit paid in addition to basic pension.
Step 1: Learn which documents you'll need to send to the VA.
- Copy of current year Social Security award letter.
- DD-214 Military Discharge papers (originals, no photocopies).
- Proof of all assets (bank and investment statements) and income.
- Proof of insurance premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses.
To receive Pension, a veteran must have served on active duty at least 90 days, during a period of war. There must an honorable discharge or other qualifying discharge. Single surviving spouses of such veterans are also eligible.
Note: The actual payment of VA benefits is always one month in arrears. For example, benefits due a beneficiary for the month of October are deposited in the beneficiary's account at the end of October or the beginning of November.
Spouses, unfortunately, cannot be paid to provide care, as their income is also considered when calculating a veteran's pension amount. However, other relatives, such as adult children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren, can be paid to be caregivers.
Benefit Conflicts
Veterans cannot receive both VA Disability compensation and VA Aid and Attendance Pension. However, they can receive the higher benefit of the two programs. However, a surviving spouse cannot receive both DIC and a death pension on the same veteran.Are the A&A Pension Benefits Taxable? No, VA benefits, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, are not taxable.
VA compensation and a VA pension are not the same thing. The simplest explanation is that VA compensation is a benefit paid on the basis of the kind and severity of a disability that happened as a result of your active duty in military service. Pension is also based on income.
In 2020, the VA National Income Thresholds are as follows: $34,171 or less if you have no dependents. $41,005 or less if you have one dependent. $43,356 or less if you have two dependents.
