It appears that wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who are receiving the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Aid and Attendance pension will receive a cost of living adjustment in their pension rate in 2013.  While the official numbers have not been released yet, the 2013 pension rates should be close to the following:

• $1,732 per month for a single veteran
• $2,054 per month for a married veteran
• $1,113 per month for the surviving spouse of a wartime veteran

While that is good news for people currently receiving this benefit, storm clouds loom on the horizon in terms of changes to law that would affect people applying for the benefit in the future.  A look-back period is being considered and the VA and Congress is also considering restricting the program to make it a poverty-level program.  If a senior citizen who is a veteran or their surviving spouse could qualify for Aid and Attendance, it would be wise to have one's long-term care planning done sooner rather than later so an application can be submitted under the current laws and regulations.

Lawyer Andrew Byers advises older veterans and their families on Aid and Attendance as part of his elder law practice.