Veterans' Benefits Attorney in Ludington, MI
More than 30 Years of Elder Law Experience Supporting Veterans
What Is Aid And Attendance?
Mason County has a proud history of military service, and many veterans and surviving spouses in the Ludington area are entitled to a monthly VA pension benefit they have never pursued. Aid and Attendance, commonly referred to as A&A, is designed to help offset the real cost of daily care, whether that care is provided at home, through a local facility, or with the help of a family member. If you or someone you love served during a qualifying war period and now needs assistance with everyday tasks, this benefit may be within reach. As of 2025, the maximum monthly amounts are:
Married Couple: $3,740
(two veterans who need A&A)
Veteran and Spouse or Dependent: $2,795
Single Veteran: $2,538
Surviving Spouse of Veteran: $1,515
VA Eligibility Requirements for Aid and Attendance
The VA evaluates eligibility across four areas: disability, service, assets, and income. Each must be documented through the Veterans Application for Pension or Compensation filed directly with the VA.
Disability Requirement
To qualify, a veteran must be 65 or older and need another person’s help to manage basic daily functions such as eating, bathing, dressing, or toileting. Being bedridden or having significant vision loss also satisfies this requirement. Care can come from an assisted living facility, a home health aide, or a qualifying family member or cohabitant other than a spouse, as long as a licensed health care professional has recommended the care. A written Care Contract is also required, spelling out what care will be provided and at what rate, which must be consistent with the cost of comparable services in the Mason County area. Our office prepares these contracts for clients so nothing delays the application.
Service Requirements
Combat experience and overseas deployment are not factors. What matters is an honorable discharge and at least 90 days of active-duty service, with one of those days falling within a congressionally declared war period. Surviving spouses of veterans who meet this standard may also qualify in their own right.
Official Declared Wartime Periods as Determined by Congress
World War II:
December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
Vietnam War:
August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975
Begin February 28 1961 if you served in Vietnam
Korean War:
June 27, 1950 - January 31, 1955
Persian Gulf War:
August 2, 1990 - Date not yet determined
Beyond the Application: Elder Law Planning for Mason County Families
Pursuing A&A often opens the door to a broader set of planning questions that Mason County families are already facing. Who has the legal authority to manage a veteran’s finances if they can no longer do so? Is a patient advocate designation in place to cover medical decisions? How does qualifying for VA benefits today affect Michigan Medicaid eligibility if nursing facility care becomes necessary later? These are not separate conversations. They are part of the same plan, and handling them together produces better outcomes than addressing each one in isolation. The Law Offices of David E. Waterstradt brings elder law, estate planning, and veterans benefits experience together so Ludington-area families get a complete picture, not just help with a single form.
Putting 30 Years of Veterans Law Experience to Work in Ludington
Too many Mason County veterans quietly manage rising care costs without ever learning that A&A benefits could help. The application process is detailed, and the asset planning involved can feel complicated, but that is exactly what our office handles every day. Benefits are paid retroactively to the month following the month the application was filed, which means waiting comes at a real cost. If you are a veteran or surviving spouse in Ludington or anywhere in Mason County, contact the Law Offices of David E. Waterstradt today to find out where you stand.