Military veterans and their immediate family members have put forward a tremendous sacrifice to help protect and serve our country. In return, they are entitled to receive benefits. According to data from the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, there are more than 1 million veterans who are entitled to eligibility benefits in the state of Texas alone.

Unfortunately, navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits claims process can be challenging—especially for elderly, disabled, and otherwise vulnerable veterans. It is crucial that elderly military veterans and their loved ones can understand the full scope of benefits that are available under U.S. law and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

An Overview of the Benefits Available to Elderly Veterans

Elderly veterans may be eligible for a wide range of different benefits. What specific benefits you or your loved one can obtain will depend on a number of factors, including active duty service time and current health status. As explained by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), some of the most notable benefits that are available to elderly veterans that meet the eligibility requirements include:

• Veterans pension benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Education training and loans
• Housebound benefits
• Vocational training and career services
• Disability compensation
• VA health care coverage;
• Long-term care and nursing home coverage

• Funeral/burial expenses

Of course, most elderly benefits are not so concerned with education benefits or job training. For elderly veterans in Texas, some of the most important military benefits are often health care coverage, disability compensation, and VA Aid and Attendance.

Though it is often not well understood, Aid and Attendance is a type of long-term care that is available to qualifying veterans who are over the age of 65 and who currently need help with some—or all—of their activities of daily living (ADLs). As long-term care is notoriously expensive in Texas, these veterans benefits can provide financial assistance and help to take the strain off of a vulnerable person and their family.

How to Apply for Aid and Attendance Benefits in Texas

Under the current regulations, aid and attendance benefits are available to veterans who meet military service requirements and who are housebound and who require at least some level of ongoing, day-to-day home care from another person. In order to apply for aid and attendance benefits, an elderly veteran should use VA Form 21-2680. It is imperative that this form is completed properly and submitted with all relevant supporting evidence, including a doctor’s report.

Unfortunately, some veterans in Texas struggle to get access to the long-term care benefits that should be available. As stressful and frustrating as this can be, there are options available to get help. If you or your loved one need help applying for VA pension benefits, you should contact an experienced Texas veterans law attorney as soon as possible. An attorney will be able to review the specific nature of your case, answer questions, and help you understand what veterans benefits, community based services and accredited assisted living options are available and what action you need to take to get them.

For more information on this area of law, see our overviews of estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate and estate administration.