Paying for Care
VA Long-Term Care and Aid and Attendance
What Is VA Aid and Attendance, and How Does the VA Help With Long-Term Care?
VA Aid and Attendance is a monthly payment added to a VA pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities, are mostly bedbound, live in a nursing home because of a disability, or have severe vision loss. For 2026 the yearly maximum is $29,093 for a veteran with no dependents and $34,488 with one dependent. Separately, veterans enrolled in VA health care may get nursing home, home care and respite care through the VA.
VA Aid and Attendance is often the first benefit families hear about when a parent who served in the military needs more care. It’s a monthly payment added to a VA pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with everyday activities. It isn’t the only help the VA offers. Veterans enrolled in VA health care may also get nursing home care, home care, adult day care and respite through the VA itself, and family caregivers have their own support program.
This guide covers each one: who qualifies, the 2026 amounts, and how to apply.
VA Aid and Attendance: Who Qualifies
Aid and Attendance has two layers of eligibility. First, the veteran or surviving spouse must qualify for a VA pension. Then they must meet at least one of the Aid and Attendance conditions.
The pension. VA.gov says the Veterans Pension is for wartime veterans who weren’t dishonorably discharged and whose income and net worth fall within limits Congress sets. The veteran must also meet one of these: age 65 or older, a permanent and total disability, living in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.
Service rules apply too. For service that began before September 8, 1980, the veteran needs at least 90 days of active duty with at least 1 day during a wartime period. Recognized periods include World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War era and the Gulf War, which is still open.
The Aid and Attendance conditions. At least one must be true:
- your parent needs another person’s help with daily activities such as bathing, eating and dressing;
- your parent has to stay in bed, or spend a large part of the day in bed, because of illness;
- your parent lives in a nursing home because of a loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability;
- your parent’s eyesight is 5/200 or less in both eyes even with glasses, or the visual field is 5 degrees or less.
A related benefit, the Housebound allowance, is for people who spend most of their time at home because of a permanent disability. You can’t receive both at once.
2026 VA Pension and Aid and Attendance Rates
The VA pays the difference between your parent’s countable income and a yearly limit called the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). These rates took effect December 1, 2025.
| Who | Basic pension | With Housebound | With Aid and Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents | $17,441 | $21,313 | $29,093 |
| Veteran with 1 dependent (such as a spouse) | $22,839 | $26,710 | $34,488 |
| Two veterans married to each other, both qualifying for Aid and Attendance | $46,143 | ||
| Surviving spouse, no dependents | $11,699 | $14,298 | $18,697 |
| Surviving spouse with 1 dependent child | $15,311 | $17,902 | $22,304 |
Each additional dependent adds $2,984.
How the payment is figured. Countable income includes Social Security, pensions, investment income and a dependent’s income. Unreimbursed medical expenses can reduce it, which matters for families paying for care: nursing home, assisted living or home care costs may count. Only the medical costs above 5% of the MAPR are deducted, which is $872 for a veteran with no dependents and $1,141 for a veteran with one dependent.
Here’s an example with simple numbers. A married veteran qualifies for Aid and Attendance, so the limit is $34,488. If the couple’s countable income after medical deductions is $24,000 a year, the pension is $10,488 a year, or $874 a month.
The net worth limit. From December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026, net worth must be no more than $163,699. Net worth counts assets plus yearly countable income. It doesn’t count the home your parent lives in, a car or basic household items.
The 3-year look-back. VA reviews assets transferred in the 3 years before the claim. A transfer for less than fair market value that would have pushed net worth over the limit can lead to a penalty of up to 5 years without pension. Medicaid has a separate 60-month look-back, explained in the Medicaid eligibility guide. Never move assets to qualify for either program.
How to Apply for Aid and Attendance
- Gather records. Discharge papers (DD214), income and asset information, and receipts for medical and care costs.
- Get a medical examiner’s report. VA Form 21-2680 has an examination section a doctor or other medical examiner must complete.
- Add the nursing home form if needed. If your parent lives in a nursing home, the facility completes VA Form 21-0779.
- Apply. You can apply online, by mail to the VA Pension Intake Center, or in person at a VA regional office.
- Get help if you need it. VA says you can apply with the help of a trained professional, such as a VA-accredited representative. Be wary of anyone who suggests moving assets to qualify.
If your parent is on Medicaid in a nursing home and has no dependents, VA says a $90 monthly pension may be paid. Ask the VA and your state Medicaid agency how it fits with the nursing home bill.
Veterans Home: Nursing Homes by State
CMS Care Compare lists 122 nursing homes in this group (veterans home) across 38 states and territories, data from August 2026. Pick a state for its nursing homes, cities and senior care rules.
VA Nursing Home Care
Separate from the pension, veterans enrolled in VA health care may get nursing home care through the VA in three settings:
| Setting | Who runs it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Community Living Centers | VA | VA nursing homes designed to feel like home |
| Community Nursing Homes | Private nursing homes under VA contract | Lets veterans get care closer to family |
| State Veterans Homes | State governments | VA certifies and inspects them each year; each state sets its own admission rules and costs |
To use VA nursing home care, VA.gov says your parent must be enrolled in VA health care, VA must find the care is needed, and a bed must be available. Whether VA pays, and how much your parent pays, depends on income and the level of service-connected disability. A VA social worker can explain your parent’s eligibility and copay.
State Veterans Homes
State Veterans Homes are in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and some states have several. They provide nursing home care, domiciliary care or adult day care. VA notes that some admit non-veteran spouses and Gold Star parents, while others admit only veterans, and that VA doesn’t pay for care for non-veterans. The cost varies by state.
CMS’s nursing home data flags 122 homes as veterans homes (data from August 2026); the table below this guide shows them by state. Like any nursing home, they carry CMS star ratings and inspection results. The star ratings guide and the nursing home comparison tool help you compare them with other homes nearby, which you can find on the nursing home finder or your state page.
VA Home Care, Assisted Living and Respite
Many veterans would rather stay home. VA health care can provide:
- home-based primary care, a VA team that visits the home;
- homemaker and home health aide services, a trained aide supervised by a registered nurse;
- adult day health care for daytime care and company;
- hospice and palliative care;
- respite care, either an aide at home or adult day care so the family caregiver can run errands, or a short nursing home stay in a Community Living Center or community nursing home so the family can travel. Nursing home respite should be scheduled in advance.
VA doesn’t run or pay for assisted living, but it inspects and approves medical foster homes, adult family homes and assisted living facilities where veterans can live, and VA benefits may pay for extra services there. Some services carry a copay based on disability status and finances.
These services depend on clinical need and what’s available locally. Ask your parent’s VA social worker or primary care team.
Support for Family Caregivers of Veterans
VA has two caregiver programs.
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is for caregivers of veterans with a VA disability rating of 70% or higher who need at least 6 months of continuous in-person personal care and are enrolled in VA health care. The primary family caregiver may receive a monthly stipend, health coverage through CHAMPVA if they have no other coverage, legal and financial planning help, and at least 30 days of respite care a year. The veteran and caregiver apply together with VA Form 10-10CG.
The Program of General Caregiver Support Services helps caregivers of veterans who don’t qualify for PCAFC, with training, peer support and other resources.
For either, call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or ask for the caregiver support team at the nearest VA medical center. The caregiver support programs guide lists other help, and the respite care guide covers breaks for caregivers outside the VA.
How VA Benefits Fit With Medicare and Medicaid
VA benefits rarely cover everything. VA.gov notes that services VA health care doesn’t cover may be paid by Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. Many families combine them:
- Medicare may cover a short skilled nursing stay after a hospital admission. See does Medicare cover nursing homes.
- Medicaid pays for long-term nursing home care, and in many states home and assisted living care through Medicaid waivers, once your parent meets the limits.
- Aid and Attendance adds income that can help pay for home care, assisted living or a nursing home privately.
- Long-term care insurance, if your parent has it, pays under its own rules. See long-term care insurance.
The guide to paying for a nursing home puts these in the order most families use them. If your parent is living with dementia, the dementia care options guide explains which settings fit. For local help beyond the VA, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Surviving Spouse Get Aid and Attendance?
Yes. Surviving spouses who qualify for the VA Survivors Pension can receive the Aid and Attendance amount too. For 2026, the yearly maximum is $18,697 for a surviving spouse with no dependents who qualifies for Aid and Attendance, and $22,304 with one dependent child. The same $163,699 net worth limit applies.
Does the VA Pay for a Veteran's Spouse in a Nursing Home?
Not directly. VA says it doesn't pay for care for non-veterans in State Veterans Homes, though some of those homes admit non-veteran spouses. A spouse may qualify for Medicaid, and a surviving spouse may qualify for the Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance.
Can a Veteran on Medicaid in a Nursing Home Still Get a VA Pension?
VA says a veteran with no dependents who lives in a Medicaid-covered nursing facility may get a $90 monthly VA pension payment. Your state Medicaid agency and VA can explain how it fits with the nursing home's monthly charge.
Is There a Look-Back Period for VA Pension?
Yes, 3 years. VA reviews assets transferred in the 3 years before a pension claim. A transfer for less than fair market value that would have put net worth over the limit can lead to a penalty period of up to 5 years with no pension. Medicaid has its own 60-month look-back. Never transfer assets to qualify; an accredited VA representative or elder law attorney can explain the rules.
Who Can Help Me Apply for Aid and Attendance?
VA says you can apply with the help of a trained professional, such as a VA-accredited representative. You can also apply online, by mail or at a VA regional office. If your parent is in a nursing home, the facility completes VA Form 21-0779 as part of the claim.
Where Can a Family Caregiver of a Veteran Get Help?
Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274. Every VA medical center has a caregiver support team. Caregivers of veterans who don't qualify for the comprehensive program can use the Program of General Caregiver Support Services.
More on Paying for Care
- Medicare and Nursing HomesSkilled nursing facility coverage, the 3-day stay rule and costs
- Medicaid for Nursing HomesIncome and asset limits, spousal protections and the look-back period
- Medicaid WaiversHome and community-based services waivers by state
- Long-Term Care InsuranceWhat policies cover, partnership programs and alternatives
- Paying for a Nursing HomeMedicare, Medicaid, VA, insurance and private pay compared
- Memory CareSecured dementia care in assisted living and nursing homes, state rules and how to pay
This guide explains long-term care in plain language from official sources. It isn't medical, legal or financial advice; a doctor, your state Medicaid agency or an elder law attorney can advise on your situation.
Sources
- VA.gov: Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance
- VA.gov: Current pension rates for veterans
- VA.gov: Current Survivors Pension benefit rates
- VA.gov: Eligibility for Veterans Pension
- VA.gov: Nursing homes, assisted living and home health care
- VA Geriatrics and Extended Care: State Veterans Homes
- VA Geriatrics and Extended Care: Respite care
- VA.gov: Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
- VA Caregiver Support Program
- CMS Provider Data Catalog: Nursing Home Provider Information (August 2026)