GET THE VA AID & ATTENDANCE BENEFIT YOU EARNED

Claim up to $3,845/month tax-free to help cover home care, assisted living, or nursing costs. Patriot Angels makes the application process simple and stress-free.

Check Your Eligibility

What Is the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit?

The VA Aid and Attendance benefit is a special pension enhancement offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It provides monthly, tax-free financial assistance to qualifying wartime Veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily living. This program is designed to make long-term care more affordable—whether that care is provided at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a memory care unit.

Unlike the standard VA pension, Aid and Attendance was created to address the extra costs that come with age or disability. Eligible applicants may receive additional funds to help cover services such as bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, and supervision for cognitive conditions. For many families, this benefit is the difference between struggling alone and being able to afford quality, dignified care.

To qualify for VA Aid and Attendance, applicants must meet three sets of criteria:

  • Military service requirements — At least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day served during a VA-defined wartime period.
  • Medical and personal care needs — A disability, chronic illness, or advanced age that results in needing help with activities of daily living.
  • Financial requirements — Limited income and assets as determined by the VA’s eligibility guidelines.

At Patriot Angels, we’ve helped thousands of families successfully apply for Aid and Attendance. Our mission is simple: to make sure Veterans and their spouses receive the benefits they earned through service and sacrifice.

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A Lifeline for Veterans and Their Families

Paying for senior care is one of the greatest challenges many Veterans and their families face. Assisted living, in-home care, memory support, and nursing services can quickly add up to thousands of dollars each month — a heavy burden for families living on a fixed income.

The benefit helps ease that strain by providing monthly, tax-free support for qualifying wartime Veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities or ongoing care. For many households, this additional income makes quality care possible without sacrificing financial stability.

What makes this program so impactful is that more Veterans and spouses qualify than most realize. Although the VA process can feel complex, the reward is substantial — steady assistance that bridges the gap between what families can afford and the care their loved ones truly need.

For countless Veterans and surviving spouses, Aid and Attendance isn’t just financial help — it’s a lifeline that ensures those who served our country can age with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind.

What Does Aid and Attendance Cover?

In-Home Care Services

For veterans who want to remain at home, Aid and Attendance can help cover caregiver expenses. This includes assistance with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, mobility, and other activities of daily living, giving families peace of mind while allowing loved ones to stay independent in familiar and comfortable surroundings.

Assisted Living Facilities

The Aid and Attendance benefit helps veterans and spouses pay for assisted living communities. Monthly funds can be used for housing, meals, and personal care services, ensuring access to safe and supportive environments while reducing the financial strain of rising long-term care costs for families across the country.

Private Nursing Home

When a veteran requires full-time medical oversight, Aid and Attendance helps cover nursing home costs. This includes 24-hour personal care, meals, and skilled nursing support. The benefit helps ensure that veterans with complex health needs receive dignity, safety, and consistent care within professional and reliable nursing home facilities.

Memory Care

Veterans living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia can use Aid and Attendance to help pay for memory care. These specialized communities provide secure environments, trained staff, and structured programs designed to support cognitive needs, protect safety, and promote a higher quality of life every day.

Adult Day Care

Some veterans and their families only need daytime support. Aid and Attendance funds may be used for adult day care programs that provide meals, social activities, and professional supervision in a safe, engaging environment. These programs also give family caregivers the valuable relief and support they often need.

Flexible Coverage

The Aid and Attendance benefit is paid directly to veterans or spouses, giving families freedom to decide how best to use the funds. Whether for assisted living, in-home caregivers, memory care, or nursing facilities, this flexible program adapts to meet the unique and changing care needs of each family.

Unsure if You or a Loved One Qualify?

Patriot Angels is here to guide you through the VA Aid and Attendance process — so you don’t miss out on the benefits you’ve earned through service and sacrifice.

See If You Qualify

How Much Can You Receive with
Aid and Attendance?

The VA Aid and Attendance benefit provides monthly, tax-free financial support to qualifying wartime Veterans and surviving spouses. Payment amounts vary based on marital status and who in the household requires care. These funds are designed to offset the high cost of personal care, assisted living, or nursing home services.

Each year, the VA adjusts maximum benefit amounts to reflect the cost of living. For 2026, eligible applicants may receive up to $3,845 per month in additional income. Actual benefits depend on the applicant’s financial situation and documented care needs.

These rates can make a life-changing difference in covering the cost of care at home or in a senior living community. At Patriot Angels, we help Veterans and their families navigate the application process to ensure they receive the maximum benefit available.

Aid and Attendance Benefit Amounts (2026)

Surviving Spouse: $1,558.00
Veteran Single: $2,424.00
Veteran Married: $2,873.00
Veteran Married to Veteran: $3,845.00
Veteran Married (Spouse only care): $1,903.00
Check Your Eligibility

Who Is Eligible for the Aid and Attendance Benefit?

To qualify, applicants must meet criteria in three areas: military service, health and care needs, and financial limits. Each one plays an important role in determining eligibility.

1. Service Requirements

The VA requires veterans to have served during a recognized wartime period and meet minimum active duty service rules.

  • Veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran.
  • Discharge must not be dishonorable.
  • Wartime service:
    • WWII (Dec 7, 1941 – Dec 31, 1946)
    • Korean Conflict (Jun 27, 1950 – Jan 31, 1955)
    • Vietnam War Era (Aug 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975, or Nov 1, 1955 for in-country service).
    • Gulf War (Aug 2, 1990 – present).
  • Active duty length: 90 days (before Sept 8, 1980) or 24 months (after Sept 7, 1980).

2. Health & Care Needs

Aid and Attendance is designed for veterans and spouses who need daily support due to medical or age-related challenges. Applicants must meet at least one health criteria.

  • Need assistance with two or more activities of daily living (ADLs) — such as bathing, dressing, eating, or mobility (transferring to/from bed).
  • Require a protected living environment due to physical or cognitive issues, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Have a severe visual impairment — corrected vision of 5/200 or less in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less (VA standard for “legally blind”).

3. Financial Requirements

In addition to service and health criteria, the VA reviews an applicant’s financial situation to ensure the Aid and Attendance benefit goes to families with genuine need. Both assets and income are considered when determining eligibility.

  • The applicant’s net worth must not exceed $163,698 (as of 2026).
  • Net worth = assets + annual income, minus certain deductible expenses like unreimbursed medical or care costs.
  • VA applies a three-year look-back rule on asset transfers:
    • If assets were given away or sold under fair market value within 36 months of application, this may affect eligibility.
  • Monthly income must be limited compared to ongoing medical and care expenses.

Unsure If You Meet the VA’s Requirements?

Patriot Angels can review your service record, care needs, and finances to help determine if you’re eligible for Aid and Attendance.

Our team has guided thousands of veterans and families through the process — making sure no one misses the benefits they’ve earned.

See If You Qualify

How to Apply for the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit

Applying for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

To qualify, veterans or surviving spouses must complete specific VA forms, provide medical and financial documentation, and submit everything to the Department of Veterans Affairs for review.

At Patriot Angels, we simplify this process by guiding families through every step. Our team helps gather the right paperwork, ensures accuracy, and communicates directly with the VA to avoid delays. With expert support, you can move forward confidently, knowing your application is in good hands.

Get Expert Guidance from Patriot Angels

Thousands of veteran families have trusted Patriot Angels to guide them through the Aid and Attendance application.

Our team understands the VA’s requirements inside and out — simplifying the process, organizing documents, and reviewing every detail to prevent costly mistakes.

Instead of leaving families to figure it out on their own, Patriot Angels provides step-by-step support:

  • Personalized guidance from experts who focus exclusively on Aid and Attendance.
  • Document preparation and review to ensure accuracy and completeness.
  • Compassionate communication so families know what to expect at every stage.

With our proven system, qualified families can begin receiving benefits faster — and with less stress.

Applying on Your Own

It’s possible to apply independently, but it requires careful preparation and patience. Applicants must gather and submit the following documentation:

  • Financial documents: Proof of income, care expenses, and total household net worth. The VA enforces a three-year look-back rule on asset transfers, which can complicate applications if not documented correctly.
  • Health documents: Evidence that daily care assistance is needed. This often requires VA Form 21–2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) completed by a licensed healthcare provider.
  • Military service documents: Proof of wartime service and discharge status, such as DD–214 separation papers. If originals are lost, they can be requested through the National Archives.

Applicants must complete either:

  • Form 21P–527EZ for veterans applying for themselves.
  • Form 21P–534EZ for surviving spouses.

After gathering and completing all required forms, applications are mailed or faxed to the VA for review.

Get Professional Help with Your Application

Don’t risk delays or denials. Patriot Angels can simplify the entire process — from paperwork to VA communication — so your family receives the benefits you’ve earned faster.

Let Our Team Help You Apply for Aid and Attendance

What to Expect After Applying

The VA Aid and Attendance review process can be lengthy, often stretching several months. Every application is different, but one constant remains: accuracy matters. Missing signatures, incomplete forms, or unclear medical or financial documentation can delay approval for half a year or more.

Applicants who submit claims on their own frequently experience delays of 6 months or longer. The VA must carefully verify service records, financial status, and medical needs, and any discrepancy can reset the review clock. Families often feel stuck waiting while care expenses continue to add up.

However, when the application is prepared thoroughly and submitted correctly the first time, timelines are often shorter. Another key advantage of this program is that the VA may issue retroactive payments, meaning benefits are backdated to the month after the claim was first opened. For families paying out of pocket for care, this retroactive relief can provide thousands of dollars in much-needed financial support.

Patriot Angels: Making the Process Easier

At Patriot Angels, our mission is simple: ensure no veteran or surviving spouse misses out on the benefits they’ve earned through service. We understand how intimidating government paperwork can feel, and we’ve built a proven system to take the stress out of applying.

Our team walks families through every step — from gathering the right financial and medical documents, to completing the proper VA forms, to checking for accuracy before submission. With personalized guidance, families avoid common mistakes that cause delays and denials.

Patriot Angels also provides clear communication throughout the process. Instead of waiting in the dark for months, families receive updates and reassurance as their claim moves forward. This not only saves time but gives peace of mind knowing experts are handling the details.

The result: thousands of veterans and spouses we’ve served now receive tax-free monthly benefits, giving them dignity, financial relief, and access to better care. For families worried about missing out or making costly mistakes, Patriot Angels offers a trusted path forward.

Why Choose Patriot Angels?

At Patriot Angels, we specialize in guiding veterans and surviving spouses through the complex VA Aid and Attendance application process. Our mission is to remove confusion, reduce paperwork stress, and give families a clear path to financial support for care. Whether you’re facing the costs of assisted living, in-home care, or long-term care, we’re here to help you access the benefits you’ve earned — often faster than trying to navigate the VA system alone.

With thousands of successful approvals and more than $1 billion in benefits secured nationwide, Patriot Angels has become a trusted name in Aid and Attendance. Our team knows the VA’s requirements inside and out. We don’t just fill out forms — we help families maximize their benefits, increase monthly income, and build long-term financial stability.

What makes us different is the human side of our process. We combine expert knowledge with compassion, ensuring you feel supported at every step. From gathering documents to communicating with the VA, our team makes sure no veteran or surviving spouse is left behind.

Choosing Patriot Angels means choosing:

  • Proven expertise in a benefit we’ve dedicated ourselves to mastering.
  • Compassionate service that treats families with dignity and care.
  • A smoother process that avoids costly mistakes and long delays.
  • Peace of mind knowing your claim is in the hands of specialists who fight for veterans every day.

Nationwide Support Through Our Partners

Patriot Angels works with trusted partners all across the United States to make sure veterans and surviving spouses can access the resources they need close to home. Whether you live in a major city or a small town, our nationwide network ensures help is never far away.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aid and Attendance

Navigating VA benefits can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Patriot Angels has helped thousands of families understand the Aid and Attendance program and qualify for the support they deserve. Below are answers to the most common questions to help you make sense of the requirements and next steps.

Who can be eligible for this VA benefit?

Wartime Veterans and surviving spouses who meet three VA criteria: qualifying service during a wartime period, documented health/daily-care needs, and financial limits on income and assets.

Are surviving spouses included in eligibility?

Yes. A surviving spouse may qualify if the Veteran’s service meets VA rules and the spouse meets the same care and financial guidelines.

Is combat service required to qualify?

No. At least one day of active duty during a VA-defined wartime period can satisfy the service window—even without combat.

Do all required service days have to be during wartime?

No. The VA requires at least one day during wartime; remaining qualifying days may be peacetime.

Which military branches and components are eligible?

Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and (as applicable) National Guard/Reserves called to active duty under qualifying orders. Merchant Mariners may qualify for specific periods.

Do I need to be receiving VA disability compensation?

No. Aid & Attendance is based on care needs, wartime service, and financial eligibility—not having a disability rating.

Can this benefit be added to a VA pension I already receive?

Yes. Aid & Attendance is an increase to a VA pension for those who qualify. The VA determines how benefits interact for each case.

What are the marriage rules for a surviving spouse?

Generally: legally married to the Veteran for at least one year (or VA-recognized exception) and married to the Veteran at the time of death.

How long does the application process usually take?

Often several months. Complete, well-organized documentation helps prevent avoidable delays.

What paperwork will I need to apply?

Typically: DD-214/discharge papers, medical evaluation (VA Form 21-2680), care agreements/invoices, marriage/death certificates (if applicable), and recent financial statements.

What kinds of care can Aid and Attendance help pay for?

In-home caregiver support, assisted living, memory care, adult day services, and nursing home care—based on needs and eligibility.

Why work with Patriot Angels on my claim?

We help families assemble accurate documentation, avoid common errors, and navigate each step so eligible applicants don’t miss benefits they’ve earned.

Can anyone guarantee approval?

No. The VA is the final decision-maker. While no one can guarantee approval, expert guidance can improve application quality and reduce preventable delays.