What is Aid and Attendance?
A program that offers a cash payment for non-reimbursed medical expenses for veterans and their spouse or widow in a monthly amount not exceeding $2,169 (indexed for inflation). This benefit relates to disabilities unrelated to service, which is helpful as the individual ages and needs assistance.
Requirements for Aid:
Service:
- 90 days of active service with at least one day of service during a wartime period
- Cannot have dishonorable discharge
Care:
- Primary care physician qualifies you for needing assistance with 2 ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) OR supervision due to cognitive or physical limitations
Financial:
- Three-year look-back for transfers
- Income reducible by out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Asset limit: currently $127,061
Aid & Attendance is an enhanced pension benefit for qualifying wartime veterans and surviving spouses who require assistance with daily living activities. The maximum benefit rates increased for 2026 due to the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). (VA Loan
Network)
Current Maximum Benefits for 2026:
Veteran (no dependents) ………........................………..Approximately $2,424/month
Veteran (with one dependents) ………........................………..Approximately $2,874/month
Surviving Spouse…………………………........................….…Approximately $1,558/month
Surviving Spouse with one dependent child ..........................…Approximately $1,859/month
Healthy Veteran with ill spouse……….....................……..…$1,447/month; $17,724/year
NOTE: Actual payments may be lower depending on income, assets, and deductible medical expenses.
Who Can Qualify as a Caregiver or Assistant?
For Aid & Attendance purposes, the veteran may receive care from:
- Licensed home health aides
- Certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
- Assisted living facility staff
- Nursing home staff
- Family members (in certain circumstances, if care arrangements are properly documented)
- Professional caregivers hired privately
The VA generally requires documentation showing that assistance is needed with activities such as:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Eating
- Toileting
- Medication management
- Protection from everyday hazards due to physical or cognitive impairment
Official Contacts for Verification
For accurate eligibility verification and application assistance, contact:
- VA Pension and Aid & Attendance Information
- VA Benefits Hotline: 800-827-1000
- Veterans Crisis Line (not for benefits questions): 988, then Press 1
Accredited Assistance
For help with applications, the VA recommends working with accredited representatives such as:
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
- American Legion
- Accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) through state or county veterans' agencies
NOTE: Contact information for caregivers, assistants, and service providers may change over time and should be independently verified before use. It is recommended to confirm credentials, availability, and accreditation status through official sources when applicable. Additionally, eligibility requirements, benefit amounts, and documentation requirements may vary and should be cross-checked with current program guidelines.
What is the 3-year look-back period?
The VA is now imposing a 36 month look-back-period in which the VA “looks back” on all asset transfers made for less than they were worth. In other words, if you transfer assets for less than fair market value during that period, you may be subject to a penalty for up to 5 years. You will not be eligible for pension benefits during that time.
For more information on benefits, visit:
The National VA: www.va.gov/
Pennsylvania's DMVA: 1-800-547-2838 or www.veterans.pa.gov
Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans' Benefit Program: www.persiangulfbonus.state.pa.us
Veterans/National Service Organizations
All are located at the Federal Building except county offices
- PA Dept of Military & Veterans Affairs: 412-395-6264
- Adjutant General’s Office: 412-395-6225
- American Legion: 412-395-6230
- American Veterans (AMVETS): 412-395-6248
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV): 412-395-6241
- Military Order of the Purple Heart: 412-395-6250
- Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA): 412-395-6254
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): 412-395-6259
- West Virginia Veterans: 412-395-6262 | 304-238-1085
- County VSOs: Westmoreland: 724-830-3530 | Allegheny: 412-621-4357 | Fayette: 724-430-1241
Do you need care?
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