Home Care for Veterans: VA Aid and Attendance and Other Benefits
Veterans and surviving spouses in New York and Connecticut may qualify for VA benefits that help pay for care at home. This guide explains the main options, current VA amounts, and how to apply. UniversaCare provides the care, and our coordinators can help you organize the care records that a claim may require.
Call (866) 986-3356 for a free consultation.
VA Aid and Attendance
Aid and Attendance is an increased monthly amount added to a VA pension. It can help veterans and surviving spouses who need another person’s help with daily activities, are bedridden, live in a nursing home because of a disability, or have limited eyesight. To receive it, the veteran (or survivor) must also qualify for VA pension, which looks at wartime service, income and net worth.
Current VA maximum annual pension rates with Aid and Attendance, effective December 1, 2025:
- Veteran with no dependents: $29,093 per year
- Veteran with one dependent: $34,488 per year
- Net worth limit for pension (Dec 1, 2025 – Nov 30, 2026): $163,699
The amount VA pays is the maximum rate minus your countable income, and unreimbursed medical expenses, including home care, can reduce countable income. Source: VA.gov, Veterans Pension rates.
Other VA programs for care at home
- Housebound benefit: an added amount for veterans substantially confined to the home because of a permanent disability.
- VA health care home care: veterans enrolled in VA health care may qualify for services such as the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program, arranged through their VA medical center.
- Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance: surviving spouses may qualify for their own pension and Aid and Attendance. See VA survivors pension rates.
How to apply
- Gather the DD214 or other discharge papers, income and asset information, and a list of medical and care costs.
- Apply for VA pension with VA Form 21P-527EZ, and include a doctor’s report on VA Form 21-2680 for Aid and Attendance or housebound status.
- Get free help from an accredited representative, such as a county veterans service officer or a veterans service organization.
- Start care while you wait if needed. We can provide statements of care and costs for your claim.
UniversaCare for veterans
Our caregivers provide personal care, companionship, homemaking, dementia care and live-in care for veterans across New York and Connecticut.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA Aid and Attendance?
It is an added monthly amount on top of a VA pension for veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing or eating, are bedridden, live in a nursing home because of disability, or have limited eyesight.
How much is Aid and Attendance in 2026?
From December 1, 2025, the maximum annual pension rate with Aid and Attendance is $29,093 for a veteran with no dependents and $34,488 for a veteran with one dependent. The actual payment is that maximum minus countable income.
Can VA benefits pay for home care?
Yes. Aid and Attendance is paid to the veteran, who can use it toward home care. Enrolled veterans may also qualify for home care arranged through VA health care, such as the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program.