Hudson Valley Senior AdvisorWhat is VA Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is an increased 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 limited eyesight, subject to the pension's income and net worth limits.
The money goes to the veteran or spouse, not the facility, and can be used for assisted living, home care or anything else. Unreimbursed care costs can be deducted from countable income, which is how many people with modest pensions or Social Security still qualify.
How much does Aid and Attendance pay in 2026?
For December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026, the maximum annual pension with Aid and Attendance is $29,093 for a veteran with no dependents, $34,488 with one dependent and $18,697 for a surviving spouse with no dependents.
| Household | Maximum yearly pension | About 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 effective December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026.
The net worth limit is $163,699, counting assets and annual income together, and the VA applies a three-year look-back to asset transfers.
Where do veterans in Dutchess and Orange get help applying?
Each county has a Veterans Service Agency that helps with pension claims at no cost, and New York's Department of Veterans' Services has accredited counselors; the county Offices for the Aging can point you to the right office.
Local veterans also use the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, whose Castle Point campus sits in the Town of Fishkill near Wappingers Falls. Avoid anyone who charges a fee to file a claim or suggests moving assets to qualify; the VA requires accreditation and limits fees.
How long does an Aid and Attendance claim take?
Processing often takes several months, and benefits are generally paid back to the date the VA received the claim or an intent to file, so filing an intent to file early protects the start date.
Gather the DD-214, a physician's statement of care needs (VA Form 21-2680 is commonly used), proof of income and assets, and a record of what care costs. The county veterans service officer can review the packet before it is sent.
At a glance
| Aid and Attendance is | Aid and Attendance is not | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Wartime veterans and surviving spouses with care needs | Limited to service-connected disability |
| Paid to | The veteran or spouse | The residence directly |
| Amount | Up to $29,093 a year for a single veteran | Enough by itself for most assisted living |
| Help | Free from county veterans agencies | Something to pay a filing service for |
Rules and dollar amounts on this page come from New York law and regulation (the Social Services Law, Public Health Law, 18 NYCRR and 10 NYCRR), Department of Health GIS messages and directories, CMS, the VA, CareScout or the county agencies named in the text. Our sourcing rules: editorial standards.
