What Aid and Attendance is
Aid and Attendance is an extra monthly amount added to the VA Pension. It is for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily life. Many families in Fresno use it to help pay for assisted living, a board and care home or in-home care.
It is not the same as VA disability compensation. The pension is based on need, so income and assets matter.
Who may qualify
For a veteran, the basics are:
- Wartime service. For those who started active duty before September 8, 1980: at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period. Later service has longer rules.
- Age or disability. Age 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled, or in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability.
- Discharge. Not dishonorable.
- Income and net worth under the limits set by Congress.
To add Aid and Attendance, the veteran must also meet at least one of these: needs another person to help with daily activities like bathing, eating or dressing; stays in bed most of the day because of illness; is in a nursing home because of lost mental or physical abilities; or has very limited eyesight.
A surviving spouse of a wartime veteran may qualify for the Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance.
2026 pension rates
These are the VA's maximum annual pension rates with Aid and Attendance, effective December 1, 2025. They include a 2.8% cost of living increase.
| Who | Max per year | About per month |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents | $29,093 | $2,424 |
| Veteran with one dependent, such as a spouse | $34,488 | $2,874 |
| Two veterans married, both qualify | $46,143 | $3,845 |
| Surviving spouse, no dependents | $18,697 | $1,558 |
This is a maximum, not the check amount. The VA subtracts your yearly countable income and pays the difference in monthly payments. Out of pocket medical costs, which can include some care costs, may lower countable income. The VA decides what counts, so check the VA pension rates page and talk with an accredited representative.
Net worth limit and look-back
From December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026, the net worth limit is $163,699. Net worth means your assets plus your yearly income. Your primary home and your car do not count as assets.
The VA also looks back three years at gifts and transfers. If someone gave away assets that would have put them over the limit, the VA can set a penalty period of up to five years. Talk with an accredited representative before moving any money.
Tell us what's going on. We'll text you licensed homes that fit, with real prices, and tour them with you.
How to apply
- Gather the DD214 or other discharge papers, plus income, asset and medical cost records.
- Have a doctor fill out VA Form 21-2680, the exam for Aid and Attendance or Housebound. If your parent lives in a nursing home, VA Form 21-0779 is also used.
- Apply for the pension online at VA.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office.
- Get free help from an accredited representative, who can check the forms before you file. More details are on the VA Aid and Attendance page.
Free local help in Fresno
- Fresno County Veterans Service Office, 1320 E. Shaw Avenue, Suite 105, Fresno. County veterans service officers help veterans and families file VA claims at no cost.
- VA Central California Health Care System, the Fresno VA Medical Center at 2615 E. Clinton Avenue. Main line (559) 225-6100.
- Veterans Home of California, Fresno, run by CalVet. It offers residential care for the elderly and skilled nursing care for eligible veterans.
Watch out for pension poaching
Some advisors hold free lunch seminars, then charge big fees to "help" with Aid and Attendance. Some push annuities or trusts to move assets. That can backfire with the three year look-back and a penalty of up to five years.
Here is the simple rule. You should not pay anyone to help file an initial VA claim. Accredited veterans service officers, like the ones at the county office, help for free. You can check anyone's accreditation with the VA accredited representative search.
How we help veteran families
We are not a VA representative, and we do not file claims. What we do is help you find a licensed care home in Fresno, Clovis or nearby that fits the budget, including what the pension may add. Assisted living in Fresno runs about $5,100 to $6,600 a month, and board and care homes start around $3,700. See how the pieces fit together in our paying for senior care guide.
Call or text (559) 550-4533, 8am to 8pm every day. Our help is free to families. The licensed homes we work with pay us a referral fee, and we will always tell you that up front.
Updated September 2026 by Shaun and Nick, co-founders of CalValley Senior Living Advisors.