🎖️ Veterans Benefits for Assisted Living: What You're Missing
If your parent or loved one is a veteran — or a surviving spouse of a veteran — there may be significant VA benefits available to help pay for assisted living. The Aid & Attendance pension benefit is one of the most underutilized senior care resources in the country.
What is Aid & Attendance?
Aid & Attendance (A&A) is a VA pension benefit for wartime veterans (and surviving spouses) who need help with activities of daily living due to a disability, age, or illness. It is paid monthly on top of the basic VA pension. In 2026, the maximum monthly amounts are approximately $2,300 for a veteran, $1,478 for a surviving spouse, and $2,727 for a veteran with a sick spouse. These figures adjust annually.
Basic eligibility requirements
The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a wartime period (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War are the common ones). The veteran or surviving spouse must need regular assistance with daily activities. There are income and asset limits — net worth generally must be below approximately $155,000 (adjusted annually), though a primary residence and vehicle are excluded.
How to apply
Apply through a VA-accredited claims agent or attorney (never pay anyone a percentage of your benefit — that is illegal). The Ohio Department of Veterans Services and county veterans service offices provide free assistance with applications. The application process typically takes 3–6 months, so apply as soon as eligibility is established — benefits do not backdate to before the application date.
What it can pay for
Aid & Attendance can be used to pay for assisted living, memory care, in-home care, or adult day programs. It is not facility-specific — the money goes to the veteran or their family to use for qualified care expenses. Combined with Social Security and any pension income, A&A can meaningfully close the gap between what a family can afford and what quality care actually costs.
Other VA benefits to explore
The VA Community Living Centers (VA nursing homes) provide free care for eligible veterans. Home-based primary care brings VA physicians and nurses to the home. Homemaker/Home Health Aide services can be provided through the VA. Each benefit has its own eligibility criteria — contact your local VA regional office or county veterans service office to get a full picture.
Ready to take the next step?
Search Veteran-Friendly Homes