I am a widow of a 100% disabled vet and have been recieving DIC since 1981 (service related). Can I receive Aid and Attendance?

DIC is also for widows of 100% P & T disabled veterans who live for at least 10 years after being awarded that status. In that case, it's not necessary that the veteran died of a service-connected condition. I know the 10-year year rule because it would apply if my would DH die before I do, since it's already been more than 10 years since he was awarded. It's comforting to know that I would qualify for that benefit in that case. DH was denied A & A, even though he is very disabled and needs a lot of care. Any government benefit will have very strict requirements and rules...not everyone that needs it will get it. We also don't qualify for the VA Caregiver Program, since it's only for post-911 war veterans.

exactly, my point; I understand - maybe just didn't get it out right but didn't realize there was A&A for compensation as well as pension

DIC is not Pension debdaughter, it is a completely different benefit that only widows of veterans who die as a result of service are eligible for. You can either have pension or compensation, wether you qualify at basic, housebound or A&A is a function of your care needs. There are no financial requirements for compensation
Patty Servaes

thanks for that info; good to know - thought she was asking about the way A&A's typically, in my experience anyway, used as basically another term for the basic pension - in other words, thought she was wanting the whole amount not just another $300; that was all my dad could get without the A&A and we had confusion about that for a while; the VA Service Officer didn't feel that was enough to warrant applying for, but of course we would have had to, at that point, dod the whole financial test for it since he wasn't already getting anything, not just the 21-2680, or even that at that point, since we weren't even doing the A&A then, so just waited in our case

The first response here has a link to a benefit this lady, who receives DIC is not asking about and is not eligible for - this confusion is why we consistently run into widows receiving DIC who were misinformed that they are not eligible for Aid and Attendance when what they should have been told is - you are eligible for a $310 additional Aid and Attendance amount to be added to DIC - since Basic Pension with Aid and Attendance is less than DIC with Aid and Attendance, the VA will not allow you to switch to the lower paying benefit.

Good to know, I won't post a link again.

Garden, AC has policy against listing links in responses partially in an effort to protect the people that regularly use this website.

This is absolutely the truth so please follow it - You can either receive Pension or DIC, not both - HOWEVER, as someone receiving DIC, once you need the Aid and Assistance of another person, you can file for an Aid and Attendance of $310.71 per month to be added to your current DIC payment.
(38 U.S.C. 1311(c))
There is NO financial test, you merely need to submit a 21-2680 that shows you need the assistance of another person and use the Statement in Support of Claim to state "I receive DIC and now need the assistance of another person. I am including a 21-2680 in support of my claim to have the aid and attendance supplemental amount added to my monthly benefit payment."
The funds start accruing the month after you file, so please don't delay getting that 21-2680 filled out and faxed to the VA before the last business day of October!
Look on VA.gov to see where you should fax it

no, you cannot receive both compensation and pension, which is what Aid and Attendance is

GREAT INFO,THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE ARTICLE TO DATE MANY THANKS TO freqflyer

I am not familiar with Aid & Attendance, but I did find this article on the Aging Care website that talks about this subject, along with 131 comments from the posters. Hopefully it can be of help to you.

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/vets-financial-aid-long-term-care-home-health-care-138105.htm