VA Aid & Attendance estimator

Aid & Attendance is extra monthly pension money for a wartime veteran or surviving spouse who needs help with daily activities. Many families assume they earn too much to qualify — but out-of-pocket care costs reduce the income the VA counts, which is why so many qualify anyway. This gives you an estimate in about a minute.

Who would the benefit be for?

A veteran, living alone or without dependentsA veteran with a spouse or dependentA surviving spouse of a veteran

What level of help is needed?

A veteran cannot receive Aid & Attendance and Housebound at the same time — pick the one that best matches the situation.

Aid & Attendance — needs help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, or is bedriddenHousebound — substantially confined to the home by a permanent disabilityNeither — just the basic pension

Basic requirements

Served at least one day during a qualifying wartime periodIs 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled

Income, care costs, and assets

Use yearly amounts. Estimates are fine — nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Total yearly household income (before deductions)Yearly out-of-pocket medical and care costsInclude home care, assisted living, insurance premiums, and prescriptions you pay for yourselves. This is the number that most often makes families eligible.Countable assets (net worth)Savings and investments. Do not count the home you live in or your vehicle.

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Educational estimate only, not legal or benefits advice, and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Nothing you enter here is saved or sent to us.