For a potential beneficiary in a nursing home, the application for Pension is very straightforward. The claimant simply has to check the box on VA 21-526 or VA 21-534 that he or she is a patient in a nursing home and provide evidence for that. An award, including an aid and attendance allowance from VA, is almost always forthcoming without any additional requirements relating to a rating. Nursing home costs are also automaticalhly annualized.

Unfortunately, in most cases, Pension does not work well for paying the costs of a nursing home. This is because the amount of Pension income is rarely enough to cover the difference between the cost of the nursing home and the beneficiary's income. On the other hand, Medicaid will cover this difference in cost and in most cases Medicaid is a better alternative to Pension...

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