When a wartime veteran or surviving spouse needs help with daily activities, the question of who provides that care often falls to family. Adult children, siblings, and other relatives frequently step in to help with bathing, dressing, mobility, and meals. What many families do not realize is that the VA Aid and Attendance benefit may allow that family caregiver to be compensated for the care they are already providing.
This article explains how the Aid and Attendance benefit works, who qualifies as a paid family caregiver, and what veterans and surviving spouses need to know before applying.
What Is the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit?
The VA Aid and Attendance benefit is a tax-free monthly payment from the Department of Veterans Affairs that helps wartime veterans and surviving spouses pay for long-term care. Unlike VA disability compensation, this benefit is specifically designed to cover the cost of personal care assistance — whether that care is provided at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a skilled nursing facility.
Aid and Attendance is considered an enhanced VA pension. It does not need to be paid back. The 2026 monthly benefit amounts are:
| Beneficiary | Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| Surviving Spouse | $1,558 |
| Single Veteran | $2,424 |
| Married Veteran | $2,874 |
| Two Veterans Married to Each Other | $3,845 |
Benefits are paid monthly by the Department of the Treasury and are tax-free.
Can a Family Member Be Paid to Provide Care?
Yes. The VA does not require caregivers to be licensed professionals or certified home health aides. A family member — including an adult child, sibling, grandchild, or other relative — can serve as a paid caregiver under this benefit.
This is one of the most important and least-known aspects of the program. Families who are already providing care can use the Aid and Attendance benefit to compensate the caregiver directly, rather than paying an outside agency.
- No license or certification is required to provide care.
- The caregiver can be an adult child, sibling, grandchild, or other relative (a veteran’s spouse cannot be paid to care for the veteran).
- The benefit pays the veteran or surviving spouse directly — they then pay the caregiver.
- Care can be provided in the veteran’s home, the caregiver’s home, or another private residence.
- Meal preparation, transportation, and medication reminders can all be part of the care plan.
It is important to understand that the Aid and Attendance benefit payment goes to the veteran or surviving spouse, not directly to the caregiver. The recipient then uses those funds to pay for their care — including paying a family member who is providing that care.
What Type of Care Qualifies?
To qualify for Aid and Attendance, the veteran or surviving spouse must need assistance with at least two of the following Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
- Bathing — including adjusting water temperature, stand-by assistance, or reminders to bathe
- Dressing — help with buttons, zippers, putting on or taking off clothing, or choosing appropriate clothing
- Eating — feeding assistance or reminders to eat
- Toileting — bathroom assistance or help managing incontinence
- Transferring (Mobility) — help moving from a bed to a chair, navigating stairs, or getting in and out of a vehicle
Medication management, meal preparation, and transportation are not classified as Activities of Daily Living by the VA. However, these services can still be part of a care arrangement that also includes qualifying ADL assistance.
Eligibility for Veterans
A veteran applying for Aid and Attendance must meet the following basic requirements:
- Served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during an eligible wartime period
- Received an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge
- Is 65 years of age or older, OR has a qualifying disability
- Needs assistance with at least two Activities of Daily Living
- Meets the VA’s net worth and income requirements (net worth limit for 2026 is $163,699)
The eligible wartime periods established by Congress include World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Era, and the Gulf War (August 2, 1990 through a date to be set by law or presidential proclamation).
For a full overview of eligibility criteria, visit our Aid & Attendance fact sheet.
Eligibility for Surviving Spouses
Surviving spouses of wartime veterans may also qualify for Aid and Attendance. A surviving spouse is defined as someone who was married to the veteran at the time of his or her passing and has not remarried. (There is a limited exception for surviving spouses who remarried and were widowed or divorced from that second marriage between January 1, 1971 and November 1, 1990.)
Unlike veterans, surviving spouses have no minimum age requirement. A surviving spouse of any age may apply if they meet the care and financial criteria.
Surviving spouse requirements include:
- Was married to the veteran at the time of his or her death
- Has not remarried (with the limited exception noted above)
- Was married to the veteran for at least one year
- Needs assistance with at least two Activities of Daily Living
- Meets the VA’s net worth and income requirements
Surviving spouses qualify based on the veteran’s service record, not their own. As long as the veteran served during an eligible wartime period and received an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge, the surviving spouse may qualify — even if the veteran never applied for VA benefits during his or her lifetime.
Learn more about how this benefit works for surviving spouses on our Aid and Attendance for surviving spouses page.
How Families Use the Benefit to Pay a Family Caregiver
Here is how the process typically works when a family member is the caregiver:
- The veteran or surviving spouse applies for Aid and Attendance and is approved.
- The monthly benefit is deposited directly into the recipient’s bank account.
- The recipient uses those funds to pay their family caregiver for the care provided.
- The family caregiver may be paid on a regular schedule, just like a professional home care worker.
- There is no requirement that the family document hours worked in any particular way for the VA’s purposes (though families should consult a tax advisor regarding income reporting for the caregiver).
This arrangement gives families far more flexibility than many people expect. The benefit can also be used to pay a combination of family care and professional care — for example, if a family member provides most of the care but an outside aide comes in a few days per week.
What If the Veteran or Spouse Is Moving to a Care Facility?
Aid and Attendance is not limited to home care. It can also help pay for assisted living, board and care homes, adult day care, and skilled nursing facilities. If a family member is not available to provide care at home, the benefit may still cover the cost of professional care in a facility. For more information about how the benefit applies to facility care, see our article on VA long term care.
A Note on Financial Requirements
To qualify for Aid and Attendance, the veteran or surviving spouse must also meet the VA’s net worth and income criteria. For 2026, the net worth limit is $163,699. This figure includes both assets and income, minus unreimbursed medical expenses.
The financial criteria can be complex, and many families are surprised to find that they may qualify even if they own a home or have modest savings. The family home is generally not counted toward the net worth limit. Unreimbursed medical expenses — including the cost of care — are also factored into the calculation and can significantly reduce countable income.
For current benefit rates and financial thresholds, see our 2026 Aid & Attendance benefit rates article.
What counts toward the VA net worth limit:
- Bank accounts and savings
- Investment accounts and stocks
- Real property other than the primary residence
- Personal property above reasonable amounts
The primary residence, vehicles, and personal belongings are generally excluded. Unreimbursed medical expenses — including care costs — reduce countable income, which can affect net worth calculations.
How to Apply for Aid and Attendance
The Aid and Attendance application process involves submitting a pension claim to the VA along with supporting documentation, including medical evidence, military service records, and financial information. The process can be time-consuming, and errors or incomplete documentation can result in delays or denials.
Patriot Angels is a VA-accredited organization that has helped more than 30,000 veterans and surviving spouses navigate the Aid and Attendance process since 2012. Our Benefit Consultants review eligibility and walk families through the process step by step.
If you or a loved one is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse who needs help with daily care, contact Patriot Angels. Our Benefit Consultants will review your situation, explain the eligibility requirements, and guide you through the application process.
Call (844) 757-3047 or fill out our free consultation form to get started.
If you or a loved one served our country, let us help you secure
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about family caregivers, Aid and Attendance eligibility, and how the benefit works for veterans and surviving spouses.
Can a family member be paid to care for a veteran?
Yes. The VA does not require caregivers to be licensed or certified. An adult child, sibling, grandchild, or other relative can be paid to provide care to a wartime veteran or surviving spouse using the Aid and Attendance benefit.
What care qualifies for Aid and Attendance?
To qualify, the veteran or surviving spouse must need assistance with at least two Activities of Daily Living: bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, or transferring (mobility). Medication management, meal preparation, and transportation are not classified as ADLs by the VA but can be part of a broader care arrangement.
Can a surviving spouse qualify for Aid and Attendance?
Yes. Surviving spouses of wartime veterans may qualify if they were married to the veteran at the time of his or her death, have not remarried, were married for at least one year, need assistance with Activities of Daily Living, and meet the VA’s net worth requirements. There is no minimum age requirement for surviving spouses.
How much is the Aid and Attendance benefit in 2026?
In 2026, the monthly benefit amounts are: $1,558 for a surviving spouse, $2,424 for a single veteran, $2,874 for a married veteran, and $3,845 for two veterans married to each other. All benefits are tax-free.
Does the veteran’s home count toward the VA net worth limit?
Generally no. The primary residence is typically excluded from the VA net worth calculation. The 2026 net worth limit is $163,699. Unreimbursed medical expenses — including the cost of care — can also reduce countable income.
Does Aid and Attendance cover assisted living?
Yes. Aid and Attendance is not limited to home care. It can also help cover the cost of assisted living, board and care homes, adult day care, and skilled nursing facilities.
