The Senior Desk · Already owed

VA Aid and Attendance

Large monthly dollars, and take-up is very low. This page explains who looks likely to qualify and how to apply — it does not decide, and we never file for you.

Who looks likely to qualify

For veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities or pay for care. This is the one where care costs change everything: the VA subtracts your unreimbursed medical and care costs (assisted living, in-home aide, and more) from your income before comparing it to the limit. So a veteran with a substantial income who is paying for care can still look likely to qualify — and most never apply because they look at their raw income and count themselves out.

The 2026 figures

Income limit, single veteran (with Aid & Attendance)about $29,093 a year
Income limit, veteran with a spouseabout $34,488 a year
Income limit, surviving spouseabout $18,697 a year
Care costs are deducted above5% of that limit
Net-worth limit (assets + income)about $163,699 — home and one car do not count

Governing authority: 38 U.S.C. 1521, 1541; 38 CFR 3.271-3.276. Every figure is read from the dated source list.

How to apply — with the agency, not with us

The application is the government's own. We hand you the link; you apply directly. We never submit anything for you, and only the agency can decide who is eligible.

Start a VA pension / Aid & Attendance claim at va.gov (official site)

Related

Already yours. Go claim it.
— The Senior Desk

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