VA Aid and Attendance in Oregon 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 Oregon 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 Oregon, including from the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs and the veteran service officers in your county.

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 Oregon 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?

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 Oregon 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 the many Oregon veterans who own their homes outright 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 Oregon

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 your county veteran service officer. 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

Free Help in Oregon: ODVA and Veteran Service Officers

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 Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA)

The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs, known as ODVA, is the state agency that connects veterans and their families to the federal, state, and local benefits they earned, including federal VA pension benefits like Aid and Attendance. ODVA and county veterans' service offices employ ODVA-trained and VA-accredited certified veteran service officers who help you figure out which benefits you qualify for and walk you through the application at no charge. ODVA highly recommends seeking this free assistance rather than paying for help, and you can reach the agency toll-free in Oregon at 800-692-9666.

ODVA also oversees two state-run Oregon Veterans' Homes, one in The Dalles (opened in 1997, overlooking the Columbia Gorge) and the Edward C. Allworth Veterans' Home in Lebanon (opened in 2014). Both homes provide skilled nursing care, long-term residential care, endorsed memory care for residents with Alzheimer's and other dementias, and short-term rehabilitation. Care is an earned benefit available to qualifying veterans, their spouses, and parents who had a child die while serving, and admission requires a physician's recommendation that skilled nursing care is needed. For a veteran weighing nursing care, an A&A award can help cover costs whether they stay at home or move into one of these homes.

Finding a Veteran Service Officer

Veteran service officers (VSOs) work through ODVA and through county offices across Oregon's 36 counties. A certified veteran service officer can prepare and submit your claim, develop the evidence the VA needs, and represent you, all at no cost to you. To find the officer nearest you, use ODVA's "Find a VSO" locator or call the agency at 800-692-9666.

Oregon's Veteran Population

Oregon is home to roughly a quarter-million veterans. The VA's National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics reported an Oregon veteran population of about 266,690 in its FY2023 state summary. With that many veterans across the state, it's worth contacting a service officer 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 ODVA, a county veteran service officer, or a Veterans Service Organization like the VFW, American Legion, or DAV.

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

How Aid and Attendance Works with the Oregon Health Plan

Aid and Attendance and the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), Oregon's Medicaid program run by the Oregon Health Authority, are governed by different rules. A veteran can potentially receive both at the same time, but the two programs count money differently, so a few points are worth understanding.

  • A&A income doesn't automatically disqualify you from the Oregon Health Plan. VA pension income is generally counted when OHP looks at your finances, but the portion of a VA pension paid because of unreimbursed medical expenses is generally not counted.
  • The two programs cover different things. A&A can pay for costs OHP often doesn't, such as room and board in assisted living, while Medicaid may cover the care services themselves and long-term nursing care.
  • Unreimbursed medical expenses matter on both sides. For VA purposes, care costs that exceed 5% of the applicable pension rate reduce your countable income, which can bring a higher-income applicant within VA limits. Oregon also generally raises a nursing-home resident's personal-needs allowance when a VA pension is paid based on unreimbursed medical expenses.
  • Timing matters. Because the interaction is fact-specific and the two programs use different income tests, the order in which you apply can affect eligibility. Confirm your own situation with an accredited veteran service officer and the OHP before you rely on dual eligibility.

For the bigger picture of how Oregon families pay for care, start with our guide to the cost of senior care in Oregon.

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 Oregon. 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 Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at 800-692-9666 or a county veteran service officer through ODVA's "Find a VSO" locator. Their ODVA-trained, VA-accredited staff prepare and submit VA claims for free. You should never pay to file an initial claim.

Potentially, yes. VA pension income is generally counted for OHP, 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. Because the interaction is fact-specific, confirm your own situation with an accredited veteran service officer and the OHP before applying.

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 Oregon 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.