Last verified: October 2026
How much is VA Aid and Attendance in 2026?
For December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026, the maximum annual pension with Aid and Attendance is $29,093 for a veteran with no dependents and $34,488 for a veteran with one dependent; a surviving spouse with no dependents can receive up to $18,697.
| Situation | Maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) | About per month |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents, Aid and Attendance | $29,093 | $2,424 |
| Veteran with one dependent, Aid and Attendance | $34,488 | $2,874 |
| Two veterans married to each other, both Aid and Attendance | $46,143 | $3,845 |
| Surviving spouse, no dependents, Aid and Attendance | $18,697 | $1,558 |
| Surviving spouse with one child, Aid and Attendance | $22,304 | $1,859 |
Source: VA Veterans Pension rates
Source: VA Survivors Pension rates
Why do Baltimore veterans with moderate incomes qualify once they move to assisted living?
Because VA subtracts unreimbursed medical expenses above 5 percent of the MAPR from countable income, and the care portion of assisted living counts as a medical expense when a physician documents the need.
VA pays the difference between countable income and the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). Unreimbursed medical expenses above 5 percent of the MAPR -- which can include assisted living care costs -- are deducted from income, which is why veterans with moderate incomes often qualify once care starts. The pension is the difference between the MAPR and countable income after those deductions, paid monthly.
What is the VA net worth limit for 2026?
The net worth limit is $163,699, counting assets plus annual income; a primary home and a reasonable lot are excluded.
A transfer of assets for less than fair market value during the 3-year look-back can create a penalty period of up to 5 years. Wartime service and discharge requirements also apply. Accredited veterans service officers -- including those with the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families -- help with claims at no charge; nobody may charge a fee to prepare an initial claim.
Can Aid and Attendance be combined with Maryland programs?
Yes. Aid and Attendance is federal income, so it counts when Maryland Medicaid or the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy measures income; in practice it most often fills the gap between a veteran's income and a private-pay assisted living rate.
Veterans in Harford County near Aberdeen Proving Ground and in Anne Arundel near Fort Meade ask about this most often.
Is Aid and Attendance the same as VA health care?
No -- one is a pension supplement, the other is medical care.
| Aid and Attendance | VA health care |
|---|---|
| Cash added to a needs-based pension | Medical services through VA facilities |
| Income and net-worth tests | Enrollment priority groups |
| Can help pay assisted living | Generally does not pay assisted living rent |
