The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Aid and Attendance effective December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026. This increase ensures that wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need assistance with daily activities receive financial support that keeps pace with inflation and rising care costs.
If you’re a veteran or surviving spouse requiring home care, assisted living, or nursing home care, understanding these new 2026 rates is essential for planning your long-term care expenses. The increased benefit amounts could provide you with up to $3,845 per month tax-free to help cover your care costs.
2026 Monthly Benefit Amounts
The new Maximum Annual Pension Rates (MAPR) for Aid and Attendance in 2026 represent a significant increase from 2025. Here’s what qualified veterans and spouses can receive:
| Beneficiary Category | 2025 Monthly | 2026 Monthly | 2026 Annually | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surviving Spouse | $1,515 | $1,558 | $18,694 | $43/mo |
| Single Veteran | $2,358 | $2,424 | $29,087 | $66/mo |
| Married Veteran | $2,795 | $2,874 | $34,489 | $79/mo |
| Two Veterans Married | $3,740 | $3,845 | $46,143 | $105/mo |
These rates represent the maximum tax-free pension you can receive each month to help cover the costs of long-term care, whether you’re receiving care at home, in assisted living, or in a skilled nursing facility.
What Is Aid and Attendance?
Aid and Attendance is a special monthly pension paid to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who require assistance with activities of daily living or need regular supervision due to cognitive impairment. Unlike VA disability compensation for service-connected conditions, Aid and Attendance is a needs-based pension program designed specifically to help cover the costs of long-term care.
The benefit is completely tax-free and does not need to be repaid. You can use the funds to pay for:
- In-home care from a family member, friend, or professional caregiver
- Assisted living facility costs
- Skilled nursing home care
- Adult day care programs
- Residential care facilities
- Memory care units
Qualification Requirements for 2026
To receive the Aid and Attendance benefit, you must meet specific service, medical, and financial requirements.
Wartime Service Requirements
The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a recognized period of war:
- World War II (December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946)
- Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955)
- Vietnam War Era (November 1, 1955 – May 7, 1975 for in-country service, or August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 for service outside Vietnam)
- Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – present)
Veterans who entered active duty after September 7, 1980 must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which they were called to active duty. The veteran must have received an honorable discharge or discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.
Medical Qualification
You must meet at least one of these conditions to qualify medically for Aid and Attendance:
- Need assistance with at least two activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, or ambulating)
- Require supervision due to cognitive impairment from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
- Confined to bed or spending most of the day in bed due to illness
- Unable to leave home without assistance
- Significant vision impairment (5/200 or less in both eyes even with corrective lenses)
Age and Marriage Requirements
Veterans must be 65 years or older, or totally and permanently disabled at any age. There is no age requirement for surviving spouses. To qualify as a surviving spouse, you must have been married to the veteran for at least one year before their death, or you were married to the veteran for less than one year but had a child together. You must not have remarried, though remarriage after age 57 is allowed.
2026 Financial Eligibility and Benefit Calculations
Aid and Attendance uses a net worth test to determine financial eligibility. For 2026, the maximum net worth limit is $163,699. Your actual monthly benefit depends on your countable income versus your Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR).
The VA uses this formula: Your Annual Pension = MAPR minus Your Countable Income. For example, if you’re a married veteran qualifying for Aid and Attendance with a MAPR of $34,483 per year and your annual income from Social Security and pensions is $15,000, your VA Pension would be $19,483 per year, or $1,624 per month.
Unreimbursed Medical Expenses Can Increase Your Benefit
One of the most valuable aspects of Aid and Attendance is that unreimbursed medical expenses can reduce your countable income, potentially increasing your benefit. Qualifying medical expenses include:
- Health insurance, Medicare, or supplemental coverage premiums
- Long-term care insurance premiums
- Assisted living or nursing home facility costs
- In-home caregiver expenses
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Prescription medications
- Adult day care
- Transportation to medical appointments
You can only deduct medical expenses that exceed 5% of your MAPR. For a married veteran in 2026, that threshold is $1,724 annually. Here’s an example: a married veteran with Aid and Attendance qualification has a MAPR of $34,483, annual income of $20,000, and assisted living costs of $3,500 per month ($42,000 per year). After calculating medical expenses above the 5% threshold ($42,000 minus $1,724 equals $40,276) and subtracting from countable income, the countable income becomes zero. The result is a full annual pension of $34,483, or $2,874 per month.
This is why working with Patriot Angels is so valuable – we know exactly how to document and maximize your medical expense deductions to get you the highest possible benefit.
Common Reasons Aid and Attendance Claims Get Denied
Based on our experience helping over 30,000 veterans and surviving spouses, we’ve seen these common reasons for claim denials:
- Insufficient medical documentation (missing doctor’s statements, incomplete ADL assessments, lack of cognitive impairment evidence)
- Financial documentation errors (incomplete income reporting, missing medical expense documentation, unreported assets)
- Wrong forms submitted (21P-527EZ versus 21P-534EZ confusion)
- Missing required attachments (DD-214, marriage certificate, death certificate)
- Communication failures (missed VA development letters, failure to respond within required timeframes)
The VA currently has over 900,000 pending claims in the system. Without proper documentation and accurate forms, your claim can sit in this backlog for 6-12 months or longer, and ultimately be denied.
How to Apply for Aid and Attendance in 2026
The application process requires specific forms and comprehensive documentation.
Required Forms
For veterans:
- VA Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Veterans Pension)
- VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance)
For surviving spouses:
- VA Form 21P-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits)
- VA Form 21-2680
Average processing time for Aid and Attendance claims is currently 6-9 months, though properly documented claims submitted by VA-accredited agents often process faster due to fewer development requests.
Why Work with Patriot Angels?
At Patriot Angels, we’ve helped over 30,000 veterans and surviving spouses secure more than $1 billion in VA Aid and Attendance benefits since 2012. Our team includes VA-accredited claims agents who specialize in Aid and Attendance applications.
Our services include:
- Free eligibility screening – we’ll tell you upfront if you qualify
- Complete application preparation – we handle all paperwork and documentation
- Medical expense optimization – ensuring maximum credit for all qualifying expenses
- VA communication management – we respond to all development requests on your behalf
- Appeals support – if your claim is denied, we handle the appeal process
Our track record speaks for itself: BBB A+ Rating, VA-accredited since 2012, 30,000+ clients approved, over $1 billion in benefits secured, and no upfront fees.
Take Action Now: 2026 Rates Mean More Money for Your Care
The 2026 Aid and Attendance rates represent a meaningful increase that could provide you or your surviving spouse with up to $3,845 per month tax-free to help cover long-term care costs.
Don’t let this benefit go unclaimed. With over 900,000 pending VA claims in the system, the sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll start receiving the financial support you’ve earned through your service.
Contact Patriot Angels today for a free eligibility consultation. Our benefit consultants are standing by to help you navigate the application process and maximize your Aid and Attendance benefit for 2026.
If you or a loved one served our country, let us help you secure
the benefits you’ve earned.
Journey Today
Frequently Asked Questions About 2026 Aid and Attendance
What is the maximum Aid and Attendance benefit I can receive in 2026?
The maximum monthly benefit for 2026 is $3,845 ($46,143 annually) for two veterans who are married to each other. For a married veteran, the maximum is $2,874 per month. Single veterans can receive up to $2,424 per month, and surviving spouses can receive up to $1,558 per month. All benefits are completely tax-free.
How much did Aid and Attendance increase for 2026?
The VA announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026. This translates to increases ranging from $43 per month for surviving spouses to $105 per month for two veterans married to each other. The increase took effect December 1, 2025 and runs through November 30, 2026.
Can I work and still receive Aid and Attendance?
Yes, but your employment income counts toward your total countable income, which reduces your monthly benefit dollar-for-dollar. The VA calculates your benefit as MAPR minus your countable income. However, unreimbursed medical expenses above the 5% MAPR threshold can offset your countable income and potentially increase your benefit amount.
Does my home count toward the net worth limit?
No. Your primary residence and up to two acres of land are exempt from the net worth calculation, regardless of value. One vehicle is also exempt. For 2026, the maximum net worth limit for countable assets is $163,699. Countable assets include savings, investments, additional properties, and other liquid assets.
Can I receive Aid and Attendance and VA disability compensation at the same time?
You cannot receive both simultaneously, but you’ll receive whichever benefit is higher. If you’re receiving VA disability compensation, you can still apply for Aid and Attendance – the VA will pay you the higher of the two benefits. If you’re rated 30% or higher for service-connected disability, you may be eligible for Special Monthly Compensation instead, which provides additional compensation for needing assistance with daily activities.
How long does it take to get approved for Aid and Attendance?
Current processing times average 6-9 months from the date you file your application. However, this can vary significantly based on the completeness of your application and documentation. Claims submitted by VA-accredited agents with complete, properly documented applications often process faster because they generate fewer development requests from the VA. With over 900,000 pending claims in the system, thorough initial documentation is critical.
Can family members be paid as caregivers under Aid and Attendance?
Yes, family members (except the spouse) can be paid as caregivers, and these payments count as qualifying medical expenses that can reduce your countable income. You’ll need a written caregiver agreement documenting the services provided, hours worked, and payment amounts. Professional caregivers, family caregivers, or a combination of both can be used. The key is proper documentation of the care arrangement and payments.
What happens if my claim is denied?
If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. You must file your appeal within one year of the denial date. Common reasons for denial include insufficient medical documentation, incomplete financial information, or missing required forms. Working with a VA-accredited claims specialist can help you strengthen your appeal with additional documentation and proper evidence. At Patriot Angels, we provide appeals support for denied claims and have successfully helped clients overturn denials.
Do I need to reapply every year for Aid and Attendance?
No. Once approved, Aid and Attendance is a lifetime benefit as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. You don’t need to reapply annually. However, you must report any changes in your income, assets, or living situation to the VA. The VA may periodically verify your eligibility, but you won’t need to go through the full application process again. Your benefit amount will automatically adjust each year based on COLA increases.
