VA Aid and Attendance can put up to $2,424 a month toward a nursing home in Arkansas for a qualifying wartime veteran -- and surviving spouses may receive up to $1,558 a month -- providing substantial relief in a state where nursing home costs are among the most affordable in the country.
In This Guide
- How much a nursing home costs in Arkansas
- How Aid and Attendance helps pay for it
- How nursing home costs lower your countable income
- Who qualifies
- The $90/month nursing-home pension cap
- How Aid and Attendance works with Arkansas Medicaid
- How to apply and get free help
- Frequently asked questions
Key Takeaways
- A semi-private nursing home room in Arkansas costs about $85,775 a year, well below the national median of $111,325.
- VA Aid and Attendance pays up to $2,424/month for a single veteran or $2,874/month for a veteran with one dependent -- surviving spouses may receive up to $1,558/month.
- Nursing home fees count as unreimbursed medical expenses that reduce countable income for VA purposes, allowing many veterans with large care bills to qualify.
- When a single veteran with no dependents is in a Medicaid-covered nursing home, federal law generally reduces the VA pension (including Aid and Attendance) to $90/month.
- Arkansas is an income-cap state for long-term-care Medicaid; applicants over the limit may still qualify using a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust).
How Much a Nursing Home Costs in Arkansas
Per the Genworth/CareScout 2024 Cost of Care Survey, a semi-private room in an Arkansas nursing home costs about $85,775 a year. A private room runs about $92,528 a year. Both figures are well below the national medians of about $111,325 for a semi-private room and $127,750 for a private room, making Arkansas one of the more affordable states for nursing home care.
These are industry-survey medians; costs vary within the state and rise as care needs grow.
How Aid and Attendance Helps Pay for It
VA Aid and Attendance is an increase added to a qualifying veteran's or survivor's basic VA pension when the person needs help with daily activities, is bedridden, lives in a nursing home due to physical or mental incapacity, or has severely limited eyesight. It is not a separate program -- it is a higher pension rate.
For 2026, the maximum monthly rates are:
| Situation | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Veteran with no dependents | $2,424/month |
| Veteran with one dependent | $2,874/month |
| Surviving spouse (no dependents) | $1,558/month |
Against an Arkansas nursing home running about $7,148 a month (semi-private), Aid and Attendance at the single-veteran rate covers roughly 34 percent of the cost -- reducing the annual bill by nearly $29,000.
How Nursing Home Costs Lower Your Countable Income
VA pension -- including its Aid and Attendance increase -- is a needs-based benefit. The VA pays the difference between a veteran's countable income and the applicable Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). Because the benefit is keyed to countable income, large recurring care expenses can help a veteran qualify even when their income appears too high at first glance.
Here is how it works: only the portion of unreimbursed medical expenses (UMEs) that exceeds 5 percent of the applicable MAPR is deductible. For 2026, those annual floors are:
- $872 a year for a veteran with no dependents (5% of the $17,441 MAPR)
- $1,141 a year for a veteran with one dependent (5% of the $22,839 MAPR)
Example: a single veteran has $18,000 in annual income and pays $85,775 a year for an Arkansas nursing home. After subtracting the $872 floor, roughly $84,903 in nursing home expenses become deductible. That drives countable income far below the MAPR threshold, making the veteran eligible for the full Aid and Attendance rate.
Nursing home fees (including meals and lodging) qualify as UMEs under 38 CFR 3.278, as do health insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket medical costs.
Who Qualifies
To receive VA Aid and Attendance, a veteran must meet all of the following:
- Wartime service: at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a recognized wartime period (World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War/post-9/11).
- Age or disability: age 65 or older, OR permanently and totally disabled.
- Net worth under $163,699 (for 2026): this limit combines assets and annual income; it excludes the primary home, vehicles, and basic household items.
- Need for aid and attendance: requires help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, feeding), is bedridden, is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, or has severely limited vision.
The VA also applies a 36-month look-back on asset transfers for less than fair market value. Transfers made on or after October 18, 2018 can trigger a penalty period of up to five years.
Surviving spouses of qualifying wartime veterans may be eligible for the Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance at up to $1,558/month.
The $90/Month Nursing-Home Pension Cap
This is one of the most important planning facts for families weighing both VA pension and Medicaid.
When a single veteran with no spouse or dependent children is receiving Medicaid-covered nursing facility care, federal law generally limits VA pension -- including the Aid and Attendance amount -- to no more than $90 per month for any period after the month of admission (38 U.S.C. 5503(d)(2), implemented at 38 CFR 3.551). This reduced amount is treated as a personal-needs allowance, not a contribution toward nursing home costs.
What this means practically: if a veteran enters a nursing home that Arkansas Medicaid is already paying for, the VA pension does not continue at the full Aid and Attendance rate. Families who plan to use Aid and Attendance to help pay for a nursing home before Medicaid coverage begins should coordinate both applications carefully before the veteran enters a Medicaid-funded facility. An accredited VA representative or elder law attorney can help map out the timing to preserve as much benefit as possible.
How Aid and Attendance Works with Arkansas Medicaid
VA Aid and Attendance and Arkansas Medicaid are separate programs that can interact when a veteran needs long-term care. The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), through its Division of Medical Services, administers Arkansas Medicaid and its long-term services and supports (LTSS). Arkansas is an income-cap state for long-term-care Medicaid, meaning applicants over the income limit may still qualify by establishing a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust).
Under the general federal rule for SSI-related Medicaid, the basic VA pension counts as income for Medicaid eligibility. The Aid and Attendance and housebound portions paid to cover the cost of care are generally treated as unreimbursed-medical-expense income that is excluded from countable income. Because the exact treatment varies by state and by case, veterans should confirm how their specific VA benefit is counted with Arkansas DHS or an accredited VSO before applying.
How to Apply and Get Free Help
To apply for Aid and Attendance, you will need:
- VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance), completed by a physician documenting the need for assistance.
- VA Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Veterans Pension), if the veteran is not already receiving VA pension.
Forms can be submitted online at va.gov, mailed to the VA, or filed through an accredited representative. Processing often takes three to six months.
Free help in Arkansas: The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) and its network of county Veterans Service Officers (VSOs/CVSOs) provide free, accredited help filing VA pension and Aid and Attendance claims. All services are provided at no charge. Visit veterans.arkansas.gov to find your nearest county service officer.
Never pay someone to file an initial VA claim. Accredited representatives are prohibited from charging fees for this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does living in a nursing home automatically qualify a veteran for Aid and Attendance?
Being a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity meets the Aid and Attendance need criterion, but a veteran must also meet the wartime service, age or disability, and net worth requirements. Meeting one criterion does not guarantee approval.
Can a surviving spouse use Aid and Attendance to help pay for a nursing home?
Yes. A surviving spouse of a qualifying wartime veteran may receive the Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance at up to $1,558 a month for 2026. The same wartime service, net worth, and need requirements apply.
What happens to Aid and Attendance if the veteran goes on Arkansas Medicaid?
If a single veteran with no dependents enters a Medicaid-covered nursing facility, federal law generally reduces VA pension (including Aid and Attendance) to $90 a month. This makes planning the order and timing of applications critical.
How long does a VA Aid and Attendance claim take?
VA processes claims in the order received; in practice, Aid and Attendance pension claims often take three to six months or longer. Filing through an accredited representative and submitting complete documentation at the outset can help avoid delays.
Compare Care Settings in Arkansas
Aid and Attendance can help pay for any care setting. See how it works for the others:
- How Aid and Attendance Pays for Assisted Living in Arkansas
- How Aid and Attendance Pays for In-Home Care in Arkansas
- How Aid and Attendance Pays for Memory Care in Arkansas
Learn More
- VA Aid and Attendance in Arkansas
- VA Benefits for Senior Care in Arkansas
- Nursing Homes in Arkansas
- How VA Aid and Attendance Pays for Assisted Living
- VA Benefits for Senior Care: A Complete Guide
Find personalized help using VA benefits to pay for a nursing home in Arkansas at brevy.com.
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.