Can my veteran parent get VA Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is extra money added to a pension from Veterans Affairs (VA). It is for veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily life. Who may qualify, this year's amounts, and how to apply.
What is Aid and Attendance?
It is a monthly payment added to a VA pension. Veterans and their surviving spouses who get a VA pension may qualify. Housebound is a smaller add-on. It is for people who stay home most of the time because of a disability that won't go away.
Who may qualify?
Your parent must qualify for a VA pension first. Then at least one of these must be true:
They need another person to help with daily tasks like bathing, eating and dressing. They have to stay in bed, or spend much of the day in bed, because of illness. They live in a nursing home because of lost mental or physical abilities. Or their eyesight is very limited, even with glasses.
How much is it?
VA sets a highest yearly amount for each situation. Your parent's payment is that amount minus their yearly income as VA counts it, paid each month. The table below shows the amounts from December 1, 2025. VA updates them each year.
To get a VA pension, your parent's net worth must be at or under $163,699 (December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026).
How to apply
Your parent can apply online, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. VA asks for form 21-2680, which a health care provider fills out about their condition. If they live in a nursing home, VA also asks for form 21-0779.
By mail, send the forms to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Pension Intake Center, P.O. Box 5365, Janesville, Wisconsin 53547-5365.
A VA-approved helper can fill out the forms with you for free. Or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, or read where can I get help as a family caregiver?.
| Who | Basic pension | Housebound | Aid and Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents | $17,441 | $21,313 | $29,093 |
| Veteran, one dependent | $22,839 | $26,710 | $34,488 |
| Surviving spouse, no dependents | $11,699 | $14,298 | $18,697 |
| Surviving spouse, one dependent child | $15,311 | $17,902 | $22,304 |
Source: VA.gov pension rates for veterans and for survivors, checked 2026-10-26. The payment is the amount above minus yearly income as VA counts it.
Checklist
- Find your parent's discharge papers (DD214) and VA file number if they have one.
- Ask your parent's health care provider to fill out VA form 21-2680.
- If your parent lives in a nursing home, ask the home for form 21-0779.
- List income, medical costs and savings. VA uses them to set the amount.
- Get free help from a VA-approved veterans service officer.
Common questions
Can a surviving spouse get Aid and Attendance?
Yes, surviving spouses who get a VA survivors pension may qualify. Their amounts are in the table above.
How much is Aid and Attendance?
For a veteran with no dependents, the highest yearly amount from December 1, 2025 is $29,093. The payment is that amount minus yearly income as VA counts it.
Which forms do we need?
VA form 21-2680, filled out by a health care provider. If your parent lives in a nursing home, also form 21-0779.
Do you know what to do next?
Sources
- Written by
- The PlanScout team. Updated Oct 26, 2026.
- Corrections
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Sources (3)
- VA.gov — VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance (retrieved Oct 26, 2026)
- VA.gov — Current Veterans Pension rates (retrieved Oct 26, 2026)
- VA.gov — Survivors Pension rates (retrieved Oct 26, 2026)
This guide is general information, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Confirm details with the provider, your plan, or a licensed professional.