Who qualifies
Aid and Attendance is part of the VA pension, so the person must qualify for the pension first. That generally means a veteran who served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a wartime period, and was not dishonorably discharged, or the veteran’s surviving spouse.
Then there is a care need: help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing or eating, being bedridden, living in a nursing home because of a disability, or very limited eyesight.
How much it pays (December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026)
| Veteran, no spouse or dependent | $29,093 a year (about $2,424 a month) |
|---|---|
| Veteran with a spouse or dependent | $34,488 a year (about $2,874 a month) |
| Surviving spouse | $18,697 a year (about $1,558 a month) |
These are maximums, called the Maximum Annual Pension Rate. The VA pays the difference between this rate and the person’s countable income.
Care costs count. Unreimbursed medical expenses above 5% of the rate can be subtracted from income. For someone paying for assisted living or a caregiver because they need help, those costs can bring countable income down a lot, which is how many families qualify.
The net worth limit and look-back
Net worth, meaning assets plus annual income, must be under $163,699 through November 30, 2026. The home, a vehicle and basic household goods do not count.
The VA looks back 36 months for assets given away or sold for less than fair value to get under the limit. That can create a penalty period of up to 5 years, calculated at $2,874 a month.
How to apply, for free
Veterans file VA Form 21-527EZ (Veterans Pension); surviving spouses file VA Form 21P-534EZ. A doctor completes VA Form 21-2680 to document the need for aid and attendance, or, for someone in a nursing home, the facility completes VA Form 21-0779.
Free help is available from your County Veterans Service Officer (through CalVet) and from accredited veterans service organizations. It is illegal to charge a fee to prepare or file an initial VA claim, so be wary of “advisors” who charge to file or push annuities or trusts to get under the limit.
Using it with other help
Aid and Attendance can be combined with private savings and long-term care insurance. If a veteran with no spouse or dependent child later moves into a nursing home paid for by Medi-Cal, the VA pension is generally reduced to $90 a month. Ask your County Veterans Service Officer how the two programs will work together before applying for either.
Common questions
How much is VA Aid and Attendance in 2026?
Up to $29,093 a year for a veteran with no dependents, $34,488 for a veteran with a spouse, and $18,697 for a surviving spouse, for December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026, minus countable income.
What is the VA net worth limit?
$163,699 through November 30, 2026, counting assets plus annual income but not the home, a vehicle or household goods.
Does Aid and Attendance pay for assisted living?
It pays money to the veteran or spouse, who can use it for assisted living. Assisted living costs paid because of a care need can also count as medical expenses that lower countable income.
Who can help me apply for free?
Your County Veterans Service Officer or an accredited veterans service organization. Charging a fee to file an initial claim is not allowed.
Sources
Figures checked November 14, 2026. Rules and amounts change, usually each January (Medicare, Medi-Cal) or December (VA). Confirm with the agency before you decide.
Later Stages gives information, not legal or financial advice. For decisions about benefits, transfers or trusts, talk with the agency, HICAP at (800) 434-0222, or an elder law attorney.