VA Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit that pays wartime veterans and surviving spouses up to $2,874 per month (married veteran rate) to cover the cost of home care. It can be used to pay for personal assistance, companionship, and daily living support from a licensed home care agency. In the Pittsburgh area, this benefit can cover 50% to 100% of typical home care costs depending on the schedule. The net worth limit is $163,699 in 2026 (your home does not count). This guide covers eligibility, benefit rates, the application process, and local resources to help you apply.
If your parent is a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran, there may be a monthly benefit available to help pay for home care. Most families do not know it exists.
The VA's Aid and Attendance benefit is one of the most underused veterans programs in the country. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, millions of wartime veterans and surviving spouses are potentially eligible but have never applied. In Pennsylvania alone, there are over 700,000 veterans, and Western PA has one of the highest veteran populations per capita in the state.
This guide explains what the benefit is, who qualifies, how much it pays, and exactly how to apply. If your parent served during a wartime period and now needs help at home, read this before you pay out of pocket.
Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an enhanced pension benefit from the Department of Veterans Affairs. It provides monthly cash payments to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who need help with activities of daily living.
The benefit is designed for veterans who:
The VA pays the benefit directly to the veteran or surviving spouse as a monthly deposit. You choose how to spend it. Most families use it to pay for in-home care from a licensed agency like bathing assistance, meal preparation, medication reminders, and companionship. You do not need VA approval to select a specific care provider.
VA health care (through VA hospitals and clinics) is a separate program. Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to receive A&A, and receiving A&A does not affect your other VA benefits. They are independent programs.
The VA adjusts Aid and Attendance rates annually based on cost of living. In December 2025, rates increased by 2.8%. These rates are effective through November 30, 2026.
| Eligibility Category | Monthly Benefit | Annual Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Single veteran | $2,424 | $29,087 |
| Married veteran | $2,874 | $34,489 |
| Surviving spouse | $1,558 | $18,694 |
| Two veterans married to each other | $3,845 | $46,143 |
These are maximum rates. The actual benefit amount depends on your income minus unreimbursed medical expenses (including home care costs). Many veterans receive the full amount because their care costs reduce countable income to zero.
Here is how the calculation works: the VA subtracts your countable income from the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) listed above. Unreimbursed medical expenses, including home care payments, reduce your countable income. If your home care costs $2,000 per month and your only income is $1,800 per month in Social Security, your countable income is effectively zero, and you receive the full benefit.
Eligibility has four parts: military service, age or disability, medical need, and finances. You must meet all four.
Qualifying wartime periods:
| War | Dates |
|---|---|
| World War II | December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946 |
| Korean War | June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955 |
| Vietnam War | August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975 (February 28, 1961 if served in-country in Vietnam) |
| Gulf War era | August 2, 1990 to present |
The veteran does not need to have served in a combat zone. They only need to have served on active duty during one of these periods.
The veteran or surviving spouse must meet at least one of these conditions:
If your parent's spouse was a wartime veteran who has passed away, the surviving spouse can apply for up to $1,558 per month. The surviving spouse does not need to have served in the military. They only need to meet the medical and financial requirements.
Aid and Attendance is flexible. The VA deposits the monthly benefit into the recipient's bank account, and they decide how to use it. Most families use it to pay for in-home care services from a licensed agency.
Home care services covered by A&A funds:
These are exactly the services a private pay home care agency provides. The benefit is designed for this purpose.
In 2026, private pay home care in the Pittsburgh area costs $28 to $35 per hour. Here is how much of a typical care schedule the Aid and Attendance benefit covers.
| Care Schedule | Hours/Week | Monthly Cost | A&A Coverage (Married Vet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light support (3 hrs, 3 days/week) | 9 | $1,090 to $1,365 | 100% covered |
| Moderate support (4 hrs, 4 days/week) | 16 | $1,935 to $2,420 | 100% covered |
| Standard care (4 hrs, 5 days/week) | 20 | $2,425 to $3,030 | 95% to 100% |
| Extended care (6 hrs, 5 days/week) | 30 | $3,640 to $4,545 | 63% to 79% |
| Full-time care (8 hrs, 7 days/week) | 56 | $6,780 to $8,470 | 34% to 42% |
For many families, the benefit covers all or most of a part-time home care schedule. For heavier care needs, it significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs. For a detailed breakdown of Pittsburgh home care pricing, see our complete cost guide.
Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit. It does not disqualify someone from Pennsylvania Medicaid. In some cases, a veteran can receive A&A to supplement Medicaid-funded home care, or use A&A during the 45 to 90 day Medicaid enrollment period to pay for private care while waiting. Talk to a benefits advisor about combining programs. For Medicaid eligibility details, see our Medicaid home care eligibility guide.
The application process involves gathering documents, getting a medical evaluation, and submitting forms to the VA. Here is a step-by-step breakdown.
You will need the veteran's DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). If you do not have a copy, request one from the National Personnel Records Center at archives.gov or call 314-801-0800. Some county veteran affairs offices can also help locate these records.
A physician must complete VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance). This form documents the veteran's or surviving spouse's physical and mental limitations and confirms they need help with daily activities. Your parent's primary care doctor can complete this.
Gather records of all income sources (Social Security statements, pension statements, investment income), bank and investment account statements, and documentation of unreimbursed medical expenses. Medical expenses include home care costs, prescriptions, Medicare premiums, insurance copays, medical equipment, and transportation to medical appointments.
Veterans not already receiving a VA pension file VA Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Veterans Pension). Surviving spouses file VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits by a Surviving Spouse or Child). Both forms are available at va.gov or through your county veterans affairs office.
You can submit by mail to the Pension Management Center, online through va.gov, or in person at a VA regional office. Many families submit through an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the American Legion, VFW, or Disabled American Veterans, which provide free assistance with applications.
The VA typically takes 6 to 12 months to process claims, though some are resolved in 3 to 4 months. If approved, benefits are paid retroactively to the date the VA received your application. Check claim status at va.gov or by calling 800-827-1000.
Many families begin private pay home care while the A&A application is pending. Once approved, the retroactive lump sum payment can reimburse months of care costs. Starting care immediately also strengthens your application by documenting ongoing medical expenses.
The A&A application process is detailed, and mistakes can add months to processing time or result in a denial. Avoid these common errors.
Local veteran organizations and county offices can help with your Aid and Attendance application, often at no charge. Here are key resources in Willow's service area.
| Resource | Location | How They Help |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny County Dept. of Veterans Services | Pittsburgh, PA | Application assistance, benefits counseling, referrals |
| Westmoreland County Veterans Affairs | Greensburg, PA | Claims filing, document gathering, benefit eligibility review |
| Washington County Veterans Affairs | Washington, PA | Pension and A&A application support, outreach programs |
| Butler County Veterans Affairs | Butler, PA | Benefits counseling, claims assistance, transportation coordination |
| Beaver County Veterans Affairs | Beaver, PA | Application assistance and referrals to VSOs |
| Fayette County Veterans Affairs | Uniontown, PA | Claims filing and benefits counseling |
| Armstrong County Veterans Affairs | Kittanning, PA | Application support and veteran service referrals |
| Greene County Veterans Affairs | Waynesburg, PA | Benefits counseling and claims assistance |
| Southwestern Veterans' Center | Pittsburgh, PA | State-run long-term care for veterans (fees based on ability to pay) |
| VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System | Pittsburgh, PA | VA medical care, social work services, benefits enrollment |
All county veterans affairs offices provide free assistance with VA claims. Many have accredited Veterans Service Officers who can help complete the application, gather supporting documents, and follow up with the VA on your behalf.
National Veterans Service Organizations with Western PA chapters:
We work with families using VA Aid and Attendance benefits every day. Call us for a free, no-pressure conversation about how home care can help.
Call (412) 701-7000 → Or explore Private Home Care optionsVA Aid and Attendance is an enhanced pension benefit that provides monthly payments to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and meals. In 2026, the maximum benefit is $2,424 per month for a single veteran, $2,874 for a married veteran, and $1,558 for a surviving spouse. The money can be used to pay for home care from a licensed agency.
The maximum monthly rates for 2026 are $2,424 for a single veteran, $2,874 for a married veteran, $1,558 for a surviving spouse, and $3,845 when two veterans are married to each other. The actual amount depends on your income minus unreimbursed medical expenses. Many veterans receiving home care qualify for the full amount because care costs offset their income.
Yes. The VA pays the benefit directly to the veteran or surviving spouse as a monthly deposit. You can use those funds to pay for in-home care from a licensed agency, including personal assistance with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication reminders, companionship, and mobility support. You do not need VA approval to choose a specific provider.
The VA typically takes 6 to 12 months to process an Aid and Attendance claim. Some claims are resolved in 3 to 4 months. If approved, benefits are paid retroactively to the date the VA received your application. Many families start private pay home care during the waiting period and use the retroactive payment to offset those costs.
No. The VA excludes your primary residence and up to two acres of surrounding land from the net worth calculation, regardless of value. The 2026 net worth limit is $163,699 for countable assets, which includes savings, investments, and other property, but not the home or personal vehicles.
Yes. If your parent's spouse served during a wartime period and has passed away, the surviving spouse may qualify for up to $1,558 per month. The surviving spouse must need help with daily activities and meet the financial requirements. They do not need to have served in the military themselves.
In many cases, yes. Aid and Attendance is a VA pension, not a means-tested welfare program. It does not automatically disqualify someone from Pennsylvania Medicaid. However, the interaction between the two programs can be complex, as A&A income may affect Medicaid eligibility calculations. Speak with a veterans benefits counselor or elder law attorney to understand how the programs can work together in your situation.
Willow Home Care Services is a licensed home care agency based in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, serving families across 8 counties in Western Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland.
We provide personal assistance, companion care, respite care, and overnight care for seniors who want to stay safely in their own homes. All caregivers are background-checked, trained, and matched to each client based on personality and care needs. We work with families using VA Aid and Attendance, private pay, and Pennsylvania Medicaid to fund home care.
If your parent is a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran, call (412) 701-7000 or visit our Private Home Care page to learn how we can help.