Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Representative Colin Allred (TX-32) introduced the Aid and Attendance Support Act to increase the amount paid to disabled veterans by 25 percent in order to help with COVID-19 related expenses. The bill specifically aims to serve the most vulnerable and at-risk veterans and by increasing their Aid and Attendance allowance, which can be used to acquire personal protective equipment and other necessities.
“Nevada’s veteran populations have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Our veterans have already given so much in service to our country, and we need to be doing all we can to ensure they have the resources they need,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “In order to stop the spread of this deadly disease, veterans and their caregivers need increased access to personal protective equipment, cleaning products, and support systems. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to increase the VA’s Aid & Attendance allowance to help veterans and their caregivers afford the necessary resources to stay safe and healthy during this pandemic.”
“These veterans have sacrificed so much to defend our country and we owe it to them to ensure they, and their caregivers, have the resources they need to stay healthy and safe during this pandemic,” said Rep. Allred. “In order to keep themselves and their caregivers safe, our veterans who utilize caregivers are facing increased costs, needing to purchase personal protective equipment. I thank Senator Cortez Masto for her work on this bill and the Paralyzed Veterans of America for their tireless efforts to protect our most vulnerable veterans.”
“The safest place for the disabled veterans most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus is in their own homes,” said Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of Government Relations for Paralyzed Veterans of America. “PVA thanks Senator Cortez Masto and Representative Allred for reintroducing the Aid and Attendance Support Act. This bill would temporarily increase VA’s Aid & Attendance support to help veterans cover pandemic-related increases in the cost of home care services.”
BACKGROUND:
The Aid and Attendance Support Act will temporarily increase by 25 percent the amount paid to eligible disabled veterans and surviving spouses to assist with their daily activities to help cover new COVID-19 related expenses for 60 days, including purchasing personal protective equipment for veterans and their caregivers. This boost in the monetary allowance, known as Aid and Attendance, helps veterans secure obtain assistance with activities of daily living that can include; help to get out of bed, transfer to a wheelchair, transfer to the bathroom, assistance with bathing, dental hygiene, grooming, getting dressed, and much more. Paid caregivers can be professional nursing staff, either in a nursing home or employed in someone’s home, as well as family members.
This legislation is endorsed by the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
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