VA Aid & Attendance: The $30,000/Year Veteran Benefit Most Don't Claim

Who qualifies

• Wartime veteran (90+ days active duty with at least 1 day during a wartime period; doesn't require combat).
• 65+ or permanently disabled.
• Needs help with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, mobility) OR resides in assisted living.
• Net worth + annual income below the threshold (~$155k in 2026; primary home excluded).

Benefit amounts (2026 approx)

• Single veteran: up to $2,358/month.
• Married veteran: up to $2,795/month.
• Surviving spouse: up to $1,515/month.

Paid tax-free, monthly, for life.

What it can pay for

• In-home caregivers.
• Assisted living rent.
• Memory care.
• Medical equipment, prescriptions, supplies.
• Anything related to care, broadly defined.

How to apply

• Free help from County Veterans Service Officers (VSO) — your county has one.
• VFW, American Legion, DAV provide free claim help.
• Avoid private "VA benefit planners" who charge fees — claim help must be free by law.

Application takes 6–12 months

Benefits backdate to filing date if approved. File early, file with professional help, file complete.

Bottom line

If you (or your parent or grandparent) is a wartime veteran or surviving spouse with care needs, this benefit is potentially $25,000–$33,000/year tax-free. Call your County VSO this week.