VA Aid and Attendance is one of the most valuable and underused benefits available to Ohio veterans and surviving spouses who need help covering the cost of assisted living in Ohio. It pays up to $2,874 a month in tax-free cash that can be applied directly toward facility bills. The money is flexible: there is no requirement on how it is spent.

This guide explains how Aid and Attendance works with assisted living in Ohio: what it pays, who qualifies, how Ohio's assisted living costs can reduce your countable income and lift your benefit, how it interacts with Ohio Medicaid, and how to get free help applying from one of Ohio's 88 County Veterans Service Officers.

In This Guide

How Much Assisted Living Costs in Ohio

The median monthly cost of assisted living in Ohio is $5,500 ($66,000/year), according to the 2024 Genworth/CareScout Cost of Care Survey. That figure is based on a private, one-bedroom unit and covers 12 months of care.

Ohio sits modestly below the national median of $5,900/month. Urban markets like Columbus and Cincinnati tend to run above the state median, while smaller cities and rural areas often fall below it.

For most Ohio families, $5,500 a month is a substantial ongoing expense. Aid and Attendance won't cover all of it, but at up to $2,874/month it covers a significant share.

How Aid and Attendance Helps Pay for It

Aid and Attendance is a monthly cash benefit paid on top of a VA pension. The money can go directly toward assisted living rent, care services, meals, or any other facility cost. The VA does not direct how the benefit is spent.

The 2026 monthly rates are:

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

At $5,500/month for Ohio assisted living, a veteran with a dependent receiving the full $2,874/month benefit would cover about 52 percent of the bill. A surviving spouse receiving $1,558/month would cover about 28 percent.

Not sure if a parent qualifies for Aid and Attendance? Chat with Brevy for a quick eligibility check.

How Assisted-Living Costs Lower Your Countable Income

The VA calculates your monthly benefit as the difference between your Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) and your countable income. A lower countable income means a higher benefit. Unreimbursed medical and care expenses can be deducted from countable income before that comparison is made.

Under 38 CFR 3.272(g), only the portion of those expenses that exceeds 5 percent of your MAPR is deductible. For 2026, that threshold is:

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

Qualifying deductible expenses include care from health care providers, prescription and non-prescription medications, health insurance premiums (including Medicare Parts A, B, and D), and the cost of care in an assisted living facility.

Assisted living costs qualify as a deductible expense when the facility provides health care or custodial care and either the veteran qualifies for Aid and Attendance or housebound status, or a physician (or PA, NP, or CNS) provides a written statement that the veteran needs that level of care or must reside in a protected environment.

In practical terms: a veteran in Ohio assisted living paying $5,500/month who appears to have too much income to qualify may still qualify once those costs are deducted from countable income. That deduction often pushes the countable income figure low enough to qualify for the maximum benefit rate.

Who Qualifies

To receive Aid and Attendance, a veteran must meet all of the following:

  • Wartime service: At least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a wartime period (World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or Gulf War/post-9/11). Gulf War service requires 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period called.
  • Age or disability: Age 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled.
  • Net worth limit: Below $163,699 for 2026. This includes assets and annual income, but excludes the primary home, vehicles, and basic household items.
  • Need for assistance: Requires help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or feeding; OR bedridden; OR a nursing home patient due to mental or physical incapacity; OR has very limited eyesight.

Surviving spouses of qualified veterans may also apply and receive up to $1,558/month.

The VA enforces a 3-year look-back period on asset transfers. If assets were transferred for less than fair market value within 3 years before filing, a penalty period may apply.

How Aid and Attendance Works with Ohio Medicaid

Veterans in Ohio can receive Aid and Attendance and Ohio Medicaid long-term care at the same time. The two programs are run by separate agencies under separate rules, and having one does not disqualify you from the other.

The programs count money differently, and that difference matters:

  • For VA pension purposes, assisted living costs are deductible from countable income as described above.
  • For Ohio Medicaid purposes, VA pension income (including the Aid and Attendance amount) counts as income when the Ohio Department of Medicaid evaluates eligibility and calculates a patient's share of cost for long-term care.

Because the two programs interact, the order and timing of applications can affect the outcome. Families navigating both programs should consult a VA-accredited representative or an elder law attorney before filing.

Trying to figure out how Aid and Attendance and Ohio Medicaid fit together? Chat with Brevy to get personalized guidance.

How to Apply and Get Free Help

What to File

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

  • VA Form 21-2680: Documents the medical need for aid and attendance (completed by a physician).
  • VA Form 21P-527EZ: The application for VA pension (if not already receiving it).

Forms can be submitted online at va.gov, mailed to the VA, or filed through an accredited representative. Processing typically takes 3 to 6 months.

Free Help in Ohio

Ohio has a County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) in each of its 88 counties. These local offices are staffed by trained, VA-accredited County Veterans Service Officers who help veterans and their families apply for VA benefits, including Aid and Attendance, at no cost.

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) oversees the statewide network and operates the 877-OHIO-VET (877-644-6838) information line to connect veterans and families with local resources.

To find your county's Veterans Service Office, use the ODVS "Find a CVSO" directory at dvs.ohio.gov. Never pay anyone to file a VA pension or Aid and Attendance claim. Accredited representatives are prohibited from charging for this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the VA pay for assisted living directly?

No. Aid and Attendance is a monthly cash benefit paid to the veteran or surviving spouse. The VA does not contract with or pay assisted living facilities directly. The family receives the money and uses it however they choose, including toward assisted living bills.

Can a veteran qualify if their income is too high?

Possibly. The VA deducts unreimbursed medical and care expenses from countable income before comparing it to the pension rate. In Ohio, where assisted living costs $5,500/month on average, those deductions often reduce countable income below the qualifying threshold. A VA-accredited County Veterans Service Officer can run those numbers for free.

Does Aid and Attendance affect Ohio Medicaid eligibility?

It can. Once a veteran receives Aid and Attendance, that monthly payment counts as income under Ohio Medicaid rules and may affect long-term-care eligibility or a patient's share of cost. Consulting a VA-accredited representative or elder law attorney before applying for both programs helps families plan around that interaction.

How long does it take to get approved?

Aid and Attendance claims typically take 3 to 6 months or longer from when the VA receives a complete application. Filing with an accredited County Veterans Service Officer reduces the chance of errors that cause delays. You can apply while the veteran is already living in an assisted living facility.

Compare Care Settings in Ohio

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

Learn More

Find personalized help navigating VA Aid and Attendance for assisted living in Ohio 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.