How much is VA Aid and Attendance in 2026?
For December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026, the maximum annual pension rate with Aid and Attendance is $29,093 for a veteran with no dependents, $34,488 for a veteran with one dependent, and $18,697 for a surviving spouse with no dependent child.
| Situation | Maximum annual rate | Approx. monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents, qualifies for Aid and Attendance | $29,093 a year | about $2,424 a month |
| Veteran with one dependent, qualifies for Aid and Attendance | $34,488 a year | about $2,874 a month |
| Surviving spouse, no dependent child, qualifies for Aid and Attendance | $18,697 a year | about $1,558 a month |
Aid and Attendance is an increased Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) added to VA Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension. VA pays the difference between countable income and the MAPR, and unreimbursed medical expenses above 5 percent of the MAPR (including assisted living care costs) can be deducted from income.
| Aid and Attendance | Disability compensation | |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Wartime service, income and net worth, care need | Service-connected disability |
| Means-tested | Yes | No |
| Helps with | Paying for care | Compensating for the disability |
What is the VA pension net worth limit for 2026?
The net worth limit for VA pension, including Aid and Attendance, is $163,699 from December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026, counting both assets and annual income for VA purposes.
VA reviews asset transfers made in the 3 years before a pension claim; transfers below fair market value that would have pushed net worth over the limit can trigger a penalty period of up to 5 years.
A primary residence is generally not counted. Talk to an accredited representative before moving money; Virginia's Department of Veterans Services offers free claims help.
Can Aid and Attendance help pay for assisted living in Richmond?
Yes. Assisted living and in-home care costs paid out of pocket can count as unreimbursed medical expenses that reduce countable income, which is why a veteran with moderate income may still receive a meaningful monthly payment once care costs begin.
Veterans in the Richmond area also have the Central Virginia VA Health Care System on Broad Rock Boulevard, whose social workers can explain VA-paid options such as community nursing home care for eligible veterans.
How do Richmond-area veterans apply for Aid and Attendance?
Veterans or surviving spouses apply for VA pension with Aid and Attendance using VA's application forms, with a doctor's statement describing the need for help with daily activities, proof of wartime service, and records of income, assets and recurring medical and care expenses.
Free help is available from accredited veterans service officers, including those with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. Be wary of anyone who charges to file a claim or who recommends moving assets into a product to qualify; the three-year look-back can penalize that.
Keep receipts for assisted living or home care payments, because those unreimbursed expenses are what reduce countable income.
Last verified: October 2026
Source: VA Veterans Pension rates
Source: VA Survivors Pension rates
