Allred, Sen. Cortez Masto Introduce Bicameral Bill to Help Veterans and Caregivers Pay for Personal Protective Equipment

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, today introduced the Aid and Attendance Support Act. The bill will increase the amount paid to disabled veterans to assist with their daily activities by 25 percent to help cover COVID-19 related expenses, including purchasing personal protective equipment for themselves and their caregivers. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"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 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."

"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."

"During this pandemic, the safest place for the disabled veterans most vulnerable to the virus is in their own homes. PVA thanks Representative Allred and Senator Cortez Masto for the re-introduction of the Aid and Attendance Support Act,"said Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director for Government Relations at Paralyzed Veterans of America. "This bill would temporarily increase VA's Aid & Attendance support to help veterans defray pandemic-related increased costs of procuring in-home care services."

This boost in the monetary allowance, known as Aid and Attendance, helps veterans secure 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, excluding a spouse.

Allred originally introduced legislation increasing this payment last Congress as part of the Heroes Act.

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