VA Aid and Attendance in Hawaii 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. For a veteran with a spouse, it can reach $2,874 a month ($34,488 a year) in 2026. It's one of the most underused VA benefits, and many Hawaii 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 help filing in Hawaii, including from the Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services.

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 Hawaii families piecing together long-term care, where the cost of care runs high.

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

Do You Qualify?

To receive Aid and Attendance, you have to meet all four of these requirements.

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, worth up to $1,558 a month in 2026.

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 Hawaii 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 $18,697 $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 about $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, which matters for Hawaii veterans who own their homes but live on a modest fixed income.

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 steep, so it's worth getting advice before you move money.

How to Apply for VA Aid and Attendance in Hawaii

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 Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services counselor. 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

Help in Hawaii: the Office of Veterans' Services

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

The Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services (OVS)

The Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services, known as OVS, provides assistance with VA claims, forms, and appeals to veterans, their dependents, and survivors, and it may take action on their behalf to secure the benefits and services they earned. Its Veterans Services Counselors help veterans obtain federal entitlements, including VA disability compensation and pension benefits such as the Aid and Attendance pension. OVS doesn't decide your VA claim itself (the federal VA does that), but its counselors can prepare and develop the evidence the VA needs.

OVS maintains offices and counselors across the islands, and you can reach the office by phone at (808) 433-0420 to connect with a counselor. As a government service office, OVS assistance with VA benefit claims is provided at no charge to the veteran.

The Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home

Hawaii operates one state veterans home: the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo, on the island of Hawaii (the Big Island). It is the only state veterans home in Hawaii and opened in 2007 as the first veterans home built in the state. Overseen by OVS, it offers personalized 24-hour skilled nursing care, residential long-term care, and dedicated short-term rehabilitation services. Interested veterans can contact the home at (808) 961-1500 or speak with their primary care physician. For a veteran weighing nursing or rehabilitation care, an A&A award can help cover costs whether they stay at home or move into the home.

Hawaii's Veteran Population

Hawaii is home to a substantial veteran population, with roughly 100,000 veterans residing in the state, according to the VA's National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics. With that many veterans spread across the islands, it's worth contacting OVS early rather than waiting until a care crisis forces the issue.

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 OVS or a Veterans Service Organization like the VFW, American Legion, or DAV.

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

How Aid and Attendance Works with Hawaii Medicaid

Aid and Attendance and Hawaii Medicaid, administered through Med-QUEST, are run separately, 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 Med-QUEST. Under general federal rules, VA pension (including the Aid and Attendance increase) is counted as income for Medicaid long-term-care eligibility, but the portion paid because of unreimbursed medical expenses is generally not counted toward the Medicaid income limit.
  • 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 Medicaid may cover the care services themselves and long-term nursing care.
  • The VA already factors in your care costs. When the VA calculates your pension, it subtracts certain recurring out-of-pocket medical expenses (such as nursing-home, assisted-living, or in-home care costs) that exceed 5% of the Maximum Annual Pension Rate, so the resulting A&A amount reflects those care costs.
  • Timing matters. Because the exact income and asset treatment depends on the specific Med-QUEST program and current limits, talk to a Hawaii benefits counselor who understands both programs, and confirm details with Med-QUEST, before you file.

For the bigger picture of how Hawaii pays for care, start with our Medicaid Planning Strategies guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

The maximum depends on your situation. A veteran alone gets up to $2,424 a month, a veteran with a spouse gets up to $2,874 a month, and a surviving spouse gets up to $1,558 a month. These are federal rates, identical in Hawaii. 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 Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services at (808) 433-0420 to connect with a Veterans Services Counselor. As a government service office, OVS assistance with VA claims is provided at no charge. You should never pay to file an initial claim.

Yes. Hawaii Medicaid is administered through Med-QUEST, and a veteran can receive both. Under general federal rules, VA pension income is counted for Medicaid, but the portion paid because of unreimbursed medical expenses is generally not counted, and the programs can complement each other, with A&A covering costs Medicaid doesn't, like assisted living room and board. Confirm details with Med-QUEST and a benefits counselor before applying, because timing can affect eligibility.

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 Hawaii 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.