For a New Hampshire veteran or surviving spouse facing a steep assisted-living bill, VA Aid and Attendance can add up to $2,874 a month in tax-free income toward the cost of care. New Hampshire ranks among the most expensive states in the country for assisted living, which makes using every available benefit critical. Yet 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 long ranked among the most expensive states in the country for assisted living. The most recent national benchmark, CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey (released in 2026), puts the median cost of assisted living at about $6,200 per month (roughly $74,400 per year) nationwide, and New Hampshire has consistently run well above that national line across recent surveys.

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, and in New Hampshire families should generally expect to pay more than the national median.

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 close to half of the national median assisted living cost of about $6,200 a month. Because New Hampshire's costs run above that national line, the benefit covers a smaller share of a typical New Hampshire bill, but in a state where care is this expensive, that monthly benefit can still 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 families routinely pay more than the national median of about $6,200 a month for assisted living ($74,400 a year), almost all of that cost, 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 regular help with daily activities, 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.

If Your Claim Is Denied

A denial is not the end of the road. After the VA decides a claim, you have three review options: file a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence the VA did not already have, request a Higher-Level Review by a more senior reviewer of the same evidence, or appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals for review by a Veterans Law Judge. You generally have one year from the date on the decision letter to choose one. A New Hampshire accredited Veterans Services Officer can prepare and file the review at no cost, and the VA's main information line (MyVA411) is 800-698-2411.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the VA pay the assisted living facility directly?

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.

Can someone qualify for Aid and Attendance if their income is too high?

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 runs above the national median of about $74,400 a year, a large portion of that cost can be deducted.,

How long does the application take?

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.

What is the net worth limit for Aid and Attendance in 2026?

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

VA BenefitsVA Aid and Attendance in New HampshireVA Aid and Attendance in New Hampshire for 2026: who qualifies, rates up to $2,874 a month, how to apply, and free help filing your claim in NH. VA BenefitsVA Benefits for Senior Care in New HampshireA guide to VA senior care benefits in New Hampshire: home care, nursing homes, Aid and Attendance, the state veterans home, and how to access them in 2026. Care TypesAssisted Living in New HampshireAssisted living in New Hampshire is largely private-pay and runs above the national median. How the state licenses it, what it costs, and who pays. FinancialHow to Pay for Assisted LivingHow to pay for assisted living in 2026: what it costs and how private pay, Medicaid waivers, VA Aid and Attendance, and long-term care insurance each fit. VA BenefitsHow VA Aid and Attendance Pays for Assisted LivingHow VA Aid and Attendance helps pay for assisted living: the 2026 monthly amounts, the medical-expense rule, who qualifies, and how to apply for the benefit. VA BenefitsVA Benefits for Senior Care: A Complete GuideA complete guide to VA benefits for senior care: long-term care, Aid and Attendance, pensions, DIC, and home grants for older veterans and surviving spouses.
Your next step 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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