What is VA Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is an additional monthly amount added to a VA pension for eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities, are bedbound, live in a nursing home because of a disability, or have significant vision loss.
It is a pension benefit, so eligibility depends on wartime service, discharge status, and financial limits on income and net worth. This guide is informational only. Always confirm eligibility and current rules with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
What can VA Aid and Attendance money be used for?
The benefit is paid to the veteran or surviving spouse, and families commonly use it toward the cost of care. Unreimbursed care costs can also lower countable income for pension purposes, which may affect eligibility.
- Assisted living or memory care monthly fees
- In-home care from a home care agency or caregiver
- Adult day programs
- Nursing home care
How much does the VA pay for in-home care?
There is no single answer. The amount depends on the pension rate tables the VA publishes each year, whether the applicant is a veteran or surviving spouse, whether they have dependents, and their countable income after unreimbursed medical expenses.
The VA updates its pension rates periodically. Check the current Veterans Pension rate tables on VA.gov rather than relying on figures you find elsewhere, including on websites like ours.
How Virginia veterans can apply
- Gather discharge papers (DD-214), financial information, and medical documentation
- Ask a physician to document the need for help with daily activities
- Work with an accredited Veterans Service Officer; the Virginia Department of Veterans Services offers free help with claims
- Be cautious of anyone who charges a fee to file a VA claim; only VA-accredited representatives should assist with claims
Planning senior living around veterans benefits
Because claims can take time, families often need a plan for paying for care while an application is pending. We help Richmond, Peninsula, and Hampton Roads families factor veterans benefits into a realistic budget and find communities that fit.
Frequently asked questions
Can VA Aid and Attendance pay for assisted living in Virginia?
Many families use Aid and Attendance toward assisted living costs because the benefit is paid to the veteran or surviving spouse. Eligibility depends on service, medical need, and financial limits, so confirm with the VA or an accredited Veterans Service Officer.
Can a surviving spouse receive Aid and Attendance?
Surviving spouses of eligible wartime veterans may qualify through the Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance. Eligibility rules apply, so confirm directly with the VA.
Where can Virginia veterans get help with an application?
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services offers free help from Veterans Service Officers. You can also work with other VA-accredited representatives.
