VA Aid and Attendance in Georgia is the federal VA pension paid at a higher maximum rate when a wartime veteran needs regular help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, or eating. A veteran living alone can receive up to $29,093 a year (about $2,424 a month) in 2026, and a veteran with a spouse up to $34,488 a year (about $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. On this route it isn't a separate program. It's the same VA pension paid at a higher maximum rate when you need regular care, so the Aid and Attendance figure is the outer limit of the pension itself, not an amount paid in addition to the basic rate. This guide covers that pension route, which is what most Georgia families are asking about. VA Form 21-2680 is also used to apply for Aid and Attendance added to monthly compensation benefits, so a veteran drawing VA disability compensation rather than a pension is on a different track and should ask an accredited representative which one applies.

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. You need to meet at least one of three service branches. Veterans who entered active duty before September 8, 1980 must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a recognized wartime period. Those who started active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980 generally need at least 24 months of active duty, or the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), again with at least one day during wartime. Officers who started active duty after October 16, 1981 and had not previously served on active duty for at least 24 months meet the service test through that third branch. Qualifying periods include World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.

2. Discharge, age, or disability. You must not have received a dishonorable discharge, and at least one of these four must be true: you're at least 65 years old; you have a permanent and total disability; you're a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability; or you're getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These four are independent alternatives, so a wartime veteran under 65 who receives SSI meets this test without any adjudicated permanent-and-total rating.

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 residence doesn't count, and VA recognizes one primary residence per claimant. Neither do personal effects suitable to and consistent with a reasonable mode of life, which the regulation illustrates as appliances and family transportation vehicles, so the test is what fits a reasonable mode of life rather than a count of vehicles.

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 VA Aid and Attendance Rates in Georgia

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. The VA publishes them as annual amounts only; the monthly payment is the yearly rate divided by 12.

Category Annual Rate About, per month
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 $18,697 $1,558
Veteran, no dependents (Housebound) $21,313 $1,776
Veteran, no dependents (basic pension) $17,441 $1,453
Each additional dependent +$2,984 +$248

Here's how the math works, using a hypothetical example. 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, which VA counts as one per claimant, plus personal effects suitable to and consistent with a reasonable mode of life, which the regulation illustrates as appliances and family transportation vehicles. The house you live in doesn't push you over the limit. That home is worth a second look on the tax side too, because Georgia exempts a large share of a qualifying disabled veteran's home value from property tax under a separate set of rules; see our guide to Georgia's disabled veteran property tax exemption.

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 for VA Aid and Attendance in Georgia

These are the steps for the pension route, the one this guide covers: the VA's condition is that you may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension. It takes two forms and a medical exam, plus an optional third form that protects your filing date.

1
Step 1

File an intent to file, if you're still gathering paperwork

Submit VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File) before the rest is ready. Submitting an intent to file can secure the earliest possible effective date for any retroactive payments you may be eligible to receive, which matters because the medical examination in the next step can take weeks to schedule.

2
Step 2

Get a medical examination

A medical examiner fills out the examination information section of 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.

3
Step 3

Complete the pension application

A wartime veteran pursuing the pension route who is not already receiving VA pension also submits VA Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Veterans Pension), which covers your service history, income, net worth, and medical conditions.

4
Step 4

Submit everything

You can file online at va.gov, mail the forms to the VA Pension Intake Center, or file in person at a VA regional office; an accredited representative such as a Georgia Department of Veterans Service officer can also file the claim for you. Filing online lets you save your progress and track the claim.

5
Step 5

Wait for a decision

Asked how long a decision takes, the VA's answer is "It depends." It processes claims in the order it receives them, unless a claim requires priority processing. A complete application with strong medical documentation avoids the back-and-forth that adds time. 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. Its Field Service Officers are fully accredited with the VA and are ready to assist at every step of the claims and appeals process, 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.

One practical note on cost: the initial claim filing should always be free. Some companies charge fees to help with VA claims, and while VA-accredited attorneys may charge for appeals, you should not pay anyone to file the first claim. GDVS and Veterans Service Organizations like the VFW, American Legion, and DAV all handle that at no charge.

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 skilled nursing facility on roughly 17 acres, licensed and certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • The Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta is a 130-bed skilled nursing facility adjacent to the Augusta University campus and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, run under an interagency agreement between GDVS and Augusta University.

For a veteran weighing nursing care, A&A matters here too. Both homes charge a nominal daily fee. Eligible residents can apply for Aid and Attendance to help offset it, 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: VA's VetPop2023 top-10 states table ranks it 7th for fiscal year 2024, and VA's National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics counts 656,508 Georgia veterans in 2024 out of 17,921,245 nationally. 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. Coordinating two programs at once can feel like a lot, but you don't have to sort it out on your own: a benefits counselor who knows both can map out the order that works for your family, and that's exactly what they're there for.

  • A&A income doesn't automatically disqualify you from Georgia Medicaid. Medicaid looks at VA pension income in two separate steps. At the initial eligibility stage, a state applies SSI income rules to aged, blind and disabled applicants (42 CFR 435.601), and under SSI rules a VA aid and attendance or housebound allowance is not income (SSA POMS SI 00830.308), so only the basic VA pension counts toward the income limit. A state that uses eligibility criteria more restrictive than SSI may count it, so confirm with Georgia Medicaid how it applies the rule before assuming you are over the limit. Later, in the share-of-cost calculation for someone already eligible and living in a nursing home or other medical institution, income that was disregarded at eligibility must be counted (42 CFR 435.725), so the A&A amount does count as part of your income at that stage. It does not all go to the facility: your incurred medical expenses are only one of five amounts the agency must deduct first, in the order the regulation lists them, along with a personal needs allowance, maintenance for a spouse at home, maintenance for a family at home, and any SSI or state supplementary payment you still receive. For VA purposes, meanwhile, 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 can affect 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

How much does VA Aid and Attendance pay in Georgia in 2026?

The maximum depends on your situation. A veteran alone gets up to $29,093 a year, a veteran with a spouse up to $34,488, and a surviving spouse up to $18,697 (about $2,424, $2,874, and $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.

Where can I get free help applying in Georgia?

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.

Can I receive Aid and Attendance and Georgia Medicaid at the same time?

Yes. Under SSI income rules, which states apply to aged, blind and disabled applicants, the Aid and Attendance allowance itself is not income at the eligibility stage, so generally only the basic VA pension counts toward Georgia Medicaid's income limit; confirm with the state Medicaid agency how it applies that rule. The A&A amount does count later, in the share-of-cost calculation once you're living in a nursing home or other medical institution, though five deductions the agency must make, your incurred medical expenses among them, come out of that income before anything reaches the facility. 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.

How long does it take to get approved?

Asked how long a decision takes, the VA's answer is "It depends." It processes claims in the order it receives them, unless a claim requires priority processing. The most common cause of delay is an incomplete application, so have the medical examiner be detailed on VA Form 21-2680 and submit all supporting documents at once.

Learn More

VA BenefitsHow to Get VA Aid and Attendance in TexasLearn about VA Aid and Attendance benefits in Texas for 2026. Covers eligibility, monthly rates up to $2,874, how to apply, and free help from Texas VSOs. MedicareMedicare Plans and Coverage in GeorgiaMedicare in Georgia for 2026: Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage, Part D, Medigap rules, and the programs that help pay your Medicare costs. MedicaidGeorgia Medicaid Long-Term CareGeorgia Medicaid long-term care in 2026: nursing facility coverage, four HCBS waivers (EDWP with CCSP and SOURCE, ICWP, NOW, COMP), PACE, and how to apply. FinancialHow to Pay for Senior Care in GeorgiaHow to pay for senior care in Georgia: 2026 costs, Medicaid CCSP and SOURCE waivers, what Medicare covers, VA Aid and Attendance, and where to get free help. CaregiverGetting Paid as a Family Caregiver in GeorgiaGeorgia pays family caregivers via Structured Family Caregiving (about $80/day, tax-free), CCSP, SOURCE, ICWP, NOW/COMP, and VA programs. A 2026 guide. Care TypesAssisted Living in GeorgiaGeorgia has two assisted living licenses that decide what care your parent can get. See what each costs, what Medicaid covers, and how to vet a facility.
Your next step 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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