VA Aid and Attendance for assisted living in New Hampshire gives qualifying veterans and surviving spouses a monthly benefit that can be used to help cover some of the highest assisted living costs in the country. New Hampshire consistently ranks among the most expensive states for senior care, which makes understanding every available benefit critical. Most families who qualify for Aid and Attendance never apply because they do not know the program exists.

This guide covers what assisted living costs in New Hampshire, how Aid and Attendance can help offset those costs, how the care expenses themselves can improve eligibility, and how to get free help applying.

In This Guide

How Much Assisted Living Costs in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has some of the highest assisted living costs in the country. According to the 2024 CareScout/Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the median cost of assisted living in New Hampshire is about $7,431 per month (roughly $89,175 per year), well above the national median of approximately $70,800 per year.

Costs vary within the state and rise as care needs increase. The actual monthly bill depends on the facility, location, and level of care required.

For New Hampshire veteran families, making assisted living affordable requires using every available benefit.

How Aid and Attendance Helps Pay for It

VA Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit for veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. The VA pays it as a monthly cash benefit that can be applied to any care-related expense, including assisted living.

2026 Aid and Attendance Monthly Rates

Category Monthly Amount
Veteran alone Up to $2,424
Veteran with spouse Up to $2,874
Surviving spouse Up to $1,558

At $2,874 a month for a veteran with a spouse, the benefit covers roughly 39 percent of the New Hampshire median assisted living cost. In a state where care costs are this high, that monthly benefit can be the difference between affording a good facility and not being able to.

Not sure whether your family qualifies for Aid and Attendance? Chat with Brevy for a quick eligibility check.

How Assisted-Living Costs Lower Your Countable Income

Many families do not realize that the cost of care can actually help them qualify for the benefit.

The VA calculates pension by comparing your countable income to the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR). Before making that comparison, it lets you subtract unreimbursed medical expenses (UMEs) that exceed 5 percent of your MAPR. Assisted-living costs, in-home care costs, and health insurance premiums all count as UMEs when the facility provides health or custodial care.

The 5-percent floors for 2026 are:

  • $872 for a veteran with no dependents (5% of the $17,441 MAPR)
  • $1,141 for a veteran with one dependent (5% of the $22,839 MAPR)

Only expenses above those floors are deductible. But in New Hampshire, where a family is paying $7,431 a month for assisted living ($89,175 a year), almost all of that after the 5-percent floor is deductible. This can dramatically reduce countable income and bring a veteran within qualifying limits.

Who Qualifies

To qualify for VA Aid and Attendance, a veteran must meet all four requirements:

  • Wartime service: at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a recognized wartime period (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, or the Gulf War/post-9/11 era)
  • Age or disability: age 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled
  • Need for care: requires help with at least two Activities of Daily Living, such as bathing, dressing, or eating; or is in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity; or has severe vision loss
  • Net worth under $163,699: includes assets and annual income, but excludes the primary home, one vehicle, and basic household items

The VA also enforces a three-year look-back on asset transfers. If assets were moved for less than fair market value in the three years before filing, a penalty period may apply.

How Aid and Attendance Works with New Hampshire Medicaid

VA Aid and Attendance and New Hampshire Medicaid long-term care are separate programs administered by different agencies. The NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) administers the state's Medicaid long-term care benefits, including nursing facility care and the Choices for Independence (CFI) home- and community-based waiver. It has its own income and asset limits.

Under federal rules, a single veteran or surviving spouse on Medicaid-covered nursing home care generally has the VA pension reduced to a small personal-needs allowance for the duration of that institutional coverage. Aid and Attendance payments can also affect Medicaid eligibility or the share-of-cost calculation. The exact treatment depends on the household and the specific benefits involved, so families should confirm with a NH DHHS caseworker and an accredited Veterans Services Officer before relying on both.

How to Apply and Get Free Help

To apply for Aid and Attendance, you need two forms:

  • VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance): a physician completes this to document the need for assistance
  • VA Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Veterans Pension): submit this if the veteran is not already receiving a VA pension

Forms can be submitted online at va.gov, mailed, or filed through an accredited representative. Processing typically takes three to six months.

Do not do this alone. The New Hampshire Division of Veterans Services employs accredited Veterans Services Officers who assist residents in securing VA benefits, including pension and Aid and Attendance, at no cost. The main office is in Manchester (275 Chestnut Street, Room 517; (603) 624-9230 / toll-free 1-800-622-9230), and VSOs hold appointments at additional sites including the Manchester VA Medical Center, Nashua, North Conway, Portsmouth, and the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton.

Ready to start the application? Chat with Brevy to get a step-by-step plan for your family's situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The VA pays Aid and Attendance as a monthly benefit to the veteran or surviving spouse. The recipient uses those funds to pay their care bills, including assisted living costs. The VA does not operate or directly fund assisted living facilities.

Possibly. The VA subtracts unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 5 percent of the applicable MAPR from countable income before comparing it to the pension rate. For a veteran with no dependents, only expenses above $872 a year are deductible; for a veteran with one dependent, the floor is $1,141. In New Hampshire, where assisted living costs roughly $89,000 a year at the median, a large portion of that can be deducted.

Processing typically takes three to six months from the date the VA receives a complete application. Working with an NH Division of Veterans Services officer or accredited representative reduces the risk of errors that cause delays.

The net worth limit is $163,699 for 2026. This includes both assets and annual income, but excludes the primary home, one vehicle, and basic household items. The VA also enforces a three-year look-back on asset transfers made for less than fair market value.

Compare Care Settings in New Hampshire

Aid and Attendance can help pay for any care setting. See how it works for the others:

Learn More

Find personalized help paying for assisted living with VA benefits in New Hampshire 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.