VA Aid and Attendance in Georgia is a federal pension benefit that adds money to a wartime veteran's monthly check when they need regular help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, or eating. A veteran living alone can receive up to $2,424 a month ($29,093 a year) in 2026, and a veteran with a spouse up to $2,874 a month. It's one of the most underused VA benefits, and many Georgia veterans and surviving spouses who qualify never apply because they don't know it exists.

This guide walks through who qualifies, how much you can receive, how to apply, and where to get free help filing in Georgia, including from the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

In This Guide

What Is Aid and Attendance?

Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an enhanced VA pension benefit for wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who need help with everyday activities. It isn't a separate program. It's an extra amount added on top of the base VA pension when you need regular care.

You may qualify if you need help with daily activities such as:

  • Bathing or showering
  • Dressing and undressing
  • Eating or preparing meals
  • Using the toilet
  • Adjusting prosthetic devices
  • Protecting yourself from everyday hazards

You can also qualify if you're bedridden, spend a large part of the day in bed because of illness, live in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, or have severely limited eyesight (5/200 or less in both eyes).

A&A is tax-free, and the money can go toward any purpose, including in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home costs. That flexibility is part of what makes it so useful for Georgia families piecing together long-term care.

Not sure whether your parent qualifies for Aid and Attendance? Check with Brevy's care navigator at brevy.com.

Do You Qualify for VA Aid and Attendance in Georgia?

To receive Aid and Attendance, you have to meet all four of these requirements. They're set by the VA and are the same in Georgia as anywhere else.

1. Wartime service. The veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a recognized wartime period. Qualifying periods include World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War (which includes all post-9/11 service). Gulf War veterans need 24 months of continuous active duty, or the full period they were called up.

2. Age or disability. The veteran must be 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled.

3. Need for assistance. The veteran or surviving spouse must need regular help with daily activities, be bedridden, be in a nursing home, or have severely limited eyesight as described above.

4. Net worth under $163,699. This is the 2026 limit. It counts your assets plus your annual income combined. Your primary home, one personal vehicle, and basic household items don't count.

Surviving spouses qualify too. If the veteran has passed away and the surviving spouse needs help with daily activities, they can apply for the Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance.

2026 Aid and Attendance Rates

The VA calculates your payment as the difference between your countable income and the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) for your category. If your income is low enough, you receive the full amount. These rates are federal, so they're the same in Georgia as anywhere else.

Category Annual Rate Monthly Rate
Veteran, no dependents $29,093 $2,424
Veteran with spouse $34,488 $2,874
Two veterans married to each other (both A&A) $46,143 $3,845
Surviving spouse with Aid and Attendance n/a $1,558
Veteran, no dependents (Housebound) $21,313 $1,776
Veteran, no dependents (basic pension) $17,441 $1,454
Each additional child +$2,984 +$249

Here's how the math works. If a veteran with a spouse has $12,000 in annual countable income and qualifies for A&A, the VA pays the difference: $34,488 minus $12,000 leaves $22,488 a year, or $1,874 a month. Out-of-pocket medical expenses, including what you pay for care, reduce your countable income, which raises your benefit.

The Net Worth Limit and 3-Year Lookback

The 2026 net worth limit is $163,699. This combines your assets (savings, investments, and property other than your home) with your annual income.

What counts: bank accounts, stocks, bonds, investment property, IRAs, and other financial assets, plus your annual income.

What doesn't count: your primary residence, one personal vehicle, and basic household goods. The house you live in doesn't push you over the limit.

The 3-Year Lookback Rule

The VA reviews any assets you transferred for less than fair market value in the three years before you file your claim. If you gave away or sold assets below market value to get under the net worth limit, the VA may impose a penalty period of up to five years during which you won't receive pension benefits.

This rule exists to stop people from simply giving away savings to qualify. If you're thinking about transferring assets, talk to a VA-accredited attorney or an elder law attorney first. The penalty can be severe.

How to Apply in Georgia

The application takes two forms and a medical exam.

Step #1: Get a medical examination. Your doctor fills out VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance), documenting which daily activities you need help with and why. Be thorough. The more detail about specific limitations, the stronger the claim.

Step #2: Complete the pension application. If you're not already receiving VA pension, submit VA Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Veterans Pension), which covers your service history, income, net worth, and medical conditions.

Step #3: Submit everything. You can file online at va.gov, mail the forms, or file through an accredited representative such as a Georgia Department of Veterans Service officer. Filing online lets you save your progress and track the claim.

Step #4: Wait for a decision. The VA processes claims in the order received. Expect 3 to 6 months, sometimes longer. A complete application with strong medical documentation moves faster. Incomplete submissions are the most common reason for delays.

Documents to Gather First

  • DD-214 (discharge papers) showing wartime service dates
  • Medical records documenting the need for daily help
  • Income documentation (Social Security and pension statements)
  • Asset information (bank and investment statements)
  • Marriage certificate, if claiming as a veteran with a spouse
  • Death certificate, if applying as a surviving spouse

Free Help in Georgia: The Department of Veterans Service

You don't have to file this claim alone, and you should never pay to file an initial VA claim. Free, accredited help is available across the state.

The Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS)

The Georgia Department of Veterans Service, or GDVS, is the state agency that counsels and assists Georgia veterans and their families in claiming the federal and state benefits they've earned. GDVS says it has more than 100 VA-accredited Veterans Service Officers who help with claims and appeals at every step, including pension claims like Aid and Attendance. You can reach the main GDVS office at 404-656-2300.

Georgia handles this help a little differently than some states. Instead of relying on county-funded service offices, GDVS runs its own network of Veterans Field Service Offices spread across the state, staffed by VA-accredited Field Service Officers. You can find the office nearest you and start a claim there at no cost. A field service officer can prepare and submit your claim, gather the medical and financial evidence the VA needs, and represent you on an appeal.

A word of caution: be wary of companies that charge fees to help with VA claims. VA-accredited attorneys may charge for appeals, but the initial claim filing should be free through GDVS or a Veterans Service Organization like the VFW, American Legion, or DAV.

Need help finding a veterans service office near you? Ask Brevy's care navigator at brevy.com.

Georgia War Veterans Homes

Georgia runs two state homes that provide skilled nursing care to aged and infirm Georgia war veterans.

  • The Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville is a 248-bed facility offering skilled nursing care, including specialty care for residents with Alzheimer's.
  • The Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta is a 130-bed skilled nursing facility, located across from the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.

For a veteran weighing nursing care, A&A matters here too. Eligible residents can apply for Aid and Attendance to help offset their fees, and a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher, or whose admission is due to a service-connected condition, has the daily fee paid in full by the VA.

Georgia is also one of the largest veteran-population states in the country, consistently among the top five by total number of veterans. Demand on service officers is real, so it's worth contacting GDVS early rather than waiting until a care crisis forces the issue.

How VA Aid and Attendance Works with Georgia Medicaid

Aid and Attendance and Georgia Medicaid are run separately, by different agencies and under different rules. A veteran can receive both at the same time, but the two count money differently, so a few points are worth understanding.

  • A&A income doesn't automatically disqualify you from Georgia Medicaid. VA pension income is counted when Georgia Medicaid looks at your finances, but for VA purposes, unreimbursed medical and care expenses can be deducted from your countable income.
  • The two programs cover different things. A&A can pay for costs Medicaid often doesn't, such as room and board in assisted living, while Georgia Medicaid may cover the care services themselves and long-term nursing care.
  • Timing matters. Because VA pension income factors into Georgia Medicaid eligibility and a patient's cost of care, the order in which you apply can affect eligibility for one or both. Talk to a benefits counselor who understands both programs before you file.

For the bigger picture of how Georgia Medicaid pays for care, see our guide to Georgia Medicaid long-term care.

Frequently Asked Questions

The maximum depends on your situation. A veteran alone gets up to $2,424 a month, a veteran with a spouse up to $2,874 a month, and a surviving spouse up to $1,558 a month. These are federal rates, identical in Georgia. Your actual payment is reduced by your countable income, and out-of-pocket medical expenses can lower that income and raise your benefit.

Contact the Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS) at 404-656-2300, or visit a GDVS Veterans Field Service Office near you. Their VA-accredited officers prepare and submit VA claims for free. You should never pay to file an initial claim.

Yes. VA pension income is counted for Georgia Medicaid, but unreimbursed medical expenses can be deducted, and the programs can complement each other, with A&A covering costs Medicaid doesn't, like assisted living room and board. Talk to a benefits counselor before applying, because timing can affect eligibility for either program.

Usually 3 to 6 months, though complex claims can take longer. The most common cause of delay is an incomplete application, so have your doctor be detailed on VA Form 21-2680 and submit all supporting documents at once.

Learn More

Find personalized help applying for VA Aid and Attendance in Georgia 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.

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Brevy Care Team

Expert eldercare guidance from Brevy's team of healthcare professionals and researchers.