On March 4, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln gave his second inaugural address. He said in part: “With malice toward none, with charity for all…let us strive …to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow…
Lincoln’s immortal words laid the foundation for our obligation as a country to care for our war-time Veterans and became the VA motto in 1959.
Congress designed the Wartime A&A Pension to provide a monthly payment for eligible Veterans and Surviving Spouses to pay for the necessities of life to the extent that their income is consumed paying for medical care. This benefit has covered military service since 1916.
Nearly 10 million Veterans and Surviving Spouses are eligible for the Wartime A&A Pension. Tragically, most don’t know about it or have been unsuccessful in navigating the application process. Consequently, many end up choosing between getting care or buying food even though Congress created this benefit so they could have both.
Who is Eligible for The Wartime Aid and Attendance Pension?
The Wartime Aid and Attendance Pension is a benefit exclusively available for wartime Veterans and their Surviving Spouses. With the exception of a three and one half year period early in the Vietnam War, wartime service in a combat zone is generally not required. Active military duty service is usually sufficient.
1. The Veteran must be Totally Disabled or 65 Years of Age or Older
2. The Veteran must NOT have received a Dishonorable Discharge.
3. The Surviving Spouse must have been married to the Veteran at his/her death
4. The Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty (180 days for Gulf Wartime service)
5. At least 1 day of Active Duty Service Must have been during a period of war.
Eligible Wartime Dates:
World War II: Dec. 7, 1941, thru December 31, 1946
Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950, thru January 31, 1955
Vietnam War: In Country from Feb. 28, 1961, thru August 4, 1964. Otherwise August 5, 1964, thru May 7, 1975.
Gulf War: August 2, 1990 through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation