Lakeland Senior AdvisorHow does VA Aid and Attendance work?
Aid and Attendance is a higher rate of VA pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need another person's help with daily activities, are bedridden, live in a nursing home because of disability, or have severely limited vision; it raises the maximum annual pension rather than paying a separate benefit.
| Household | Maximum annual pension rate | Roughly per month |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran with no dependents, Aid and Attendance | $29,093 | $2,424 |
| Veteran with one dependent, Aid and Attendance | $34,488 | $2,874 |
| Two veterans married to each other, both A&A | $46,143 | $3,845 |
| Surviving spouse, no dependents, Aid and Attendance | $18,697 | $1,558 |
| Veteran with no dependents, Housebound | $21,313 | $1,776 |
VA pension rates in effect December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026.
VA pays the gap between that maximum and the household's countable income. Unreimbursed medical expenses, including assisted living or home care costs for someone who needs care, are deducted from countable income, which is how many veterans with Social Security or a modest pension still qualify.
What net worth limit applies in 2026?
VA's net worth limit effective December 1, 2025 is $163,699, combining assets and annual income but excluding the primary residence and a reasonable lot; transfers made in the three years before applying to get under the limit are reviewed and can be penalized.
Transfer penalties can run as long as five years, so speak with an accredited VA representative before moving any money.
Who is eligible for pension with Aid and Attendance?
Generally a veteran with at least 90 days of active duty including at least one day in a wartime period, a discharge other than dishonorable, and either age 65 or a permanent disability, plus income and net worth within limits and a medical need for aid and attendance.
Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans can apply for survivors pension with the same Aid and Attendance increase.
Where can Polk County veterans get free help with a claim?
Polk County's veterans services office helps veterans and surviving spouses file pension and Aid and Attendance claims at no charge, as do VA-accredited representatives of veterans service organizations; no one may charge a fee for preparing an initial claim.
Gather the DD-214, a physician's statement of care needs (VA Form 21-2680) and a contract or receipts showing what care costs.
Does VA pension affect Florida Medicaid?
Yes: VA pension counts as income for Medicaid, and for a Medicaid nursing home resident VA usually reduces the pension to $90 a month, so the two programs should be reviewed together before applying for either.
An elder law attorney or accredited representative can lay out both programs side by side.
Side by side
| Aid and Attendance is | Aid and Attendance is not | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | A higher rate of VA pension | A stand-alone monthly benefit |
| Who | Wartime veterans and survivors with care needs, within limits | Paid to every veteran |
| Filing help | Free from the county veterans services office | Something anyone may charge to prepare |
Built from Chapters 408, 429 and 651, Florida Statutes; Florida Administrative Code chapters 59A-36 and 65A-2; AHCA, DCF, OIR and Department of Elder Affairs publications; and the CareScout and VA rate tables cited on this page. Our editorial standards explain how each figure is checked.
