VA Aid & Attendance Benefits

Aid & Attendance is a VA pension benefit add-on that many eligible veterans and surviving spouses never apply for, simply because they don't know it exists or assume they won't qualify.

To qualify, a veteran generally needs at least 90 days of active duty service with at least one day during a wartime period (the specific dates are set by the VA), an other-than-dishonorable discharge, and to meet the VA's medical and financial eligibility criteria — which include needing help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or medication management, or being a patient in a nursing home due to physical or mental incapacity.

The benefit is paid on top of a standard VA pension and can add a meaningful monthly amount toward the cost of assisted living, memory care, or in-home care — the exact figure depends on marital status and dependents. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may also be eligible for a version of the benefit.

The application process involves medical documentation from a physician confirming the need for assistance, along with financial records, and can take several months to process, so it's worth starting the paperwork well before you expect to need the funds. A number of nonprofit veterans service organizations will help file the claim at no cost — a licensed senior living advisor can point you toward one in your area.