VA Aid & Attendance: Help Paying for Assisted Living for Veterans
If your parent is a wartime veteran or their surviving spouse, this benefit can add over $1,500–$2,700 a month toward care — and most families never claim it.
What Aid & Attendance is
Aid & Attendance is an enhanced VA pension benefit for eligible veterans (and surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities. It can be used toward assisted living, memory care, or in-home care, and it pays a meaningful amount each month.
Who qualifies
- A wartime veteran (served at least 90 days active duty, with one day during a wartime period) — or their surviving spouse.
- Needs help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medications, etc.).
- Meets income and asset limits (medical costs like assisted living are subtracted from income, so many who think they earn too much still qualify).
How much it pays
Amounts adjust yearly, but in recent years the maximum has been roughly $2,300/month for a veteran, more for a married veteran, and around $1,500/month for a surviving spouse. That can cover a large slice of a care bill.
How to apply
You apply through the VA with proof of service, medical need, and finances. It can take months, so apply as early as possible. A VA-accredited agent or attorney can help (and it's illegal for them to charge to prepare the claim). Don't leave this money on the table.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Gydnz guides your family through the entire move into senior care — finding the right community, coordinating care and the move, financing, and any home sale. We handle the hard parts.
Get free guidance →💚 Always 100% free for familiesFrequently asked questions
Does my parent's income disqualify them?
Not necessarily. The VA subtracts unreimbursed medical expenses — including assisted living costs — from income, so many people who assume they earn too much actually qualify.
Can a surviving spouse get Aid & Attendance?
Yes. The surviving spouse of a qualifying wartime veteran can receive the benefit, typically around $1,500 a month in recent years.
Can Gydnz help us figure out benefits?
Yes. Gydnz helps families understand and coordinate funding — including VA benefits and home equity — as part of guiding the whole transition, free of charge.