If you're a Texas veteran who needs regular help with bathing, dressing, or eating, VA Aid and Attendance can lift your pension ceiling to $2,874 per month ($34,488/year) with a spouse. It's one of the most underused VA benefits: many Texas veterans and surviving spouses qualify but never apply because they don't know it exists. And if you're a surviving spouse arranging and paying for care on your own, this benefit can be yours too, with free, accredited help to claim it available across Texas.

This guide covers who qualifies, how much you can receive, how to apply, and where to get free help with the process in Texas.

In This Guide

What Is Aid and Attendance?

Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an enhanced pension benefit for wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who need help with everyday activities. It's not a separate program. Qualifying for it raises the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR), the ceiling Congress sets on your whole VA pension, from $17,441 to $29,093 a year for a veteran with no dependents.

You may qualify if you need help with activities like:

  • Bathing or showering
  • Dressing and undressing
  • Eating or preparing meals
  • Using the toilet
  • Adjusting prosthetic devices
  • Protecting yourself from daily hazards

You can also qualify if you're bedridden, spend a large part of the day in bed due to illness, live in a nursing home, or have severely limited eyesight (5/200 or less in both eyes).

The money arrives inside your monthly VA payment, added to your pension or, for a veteran who receives VA disability compensation, to that monthly benefit, rather than as a reimbursement to a facility, so families commonly put it toward home care, assisted living, or nursing home costs.

Not sure if your parent qualifies for Aid and Attendance? Chat with Brevy's care navigator to check eligibility.

Do You Qualify?

To receive Aid and Attendance, the veteran must not have received a dishonorable discharge, and must meet all of these requirements:

1. Wartime service. How much service you need depends on when you started active duty, not on which war you served in. VA lists three paths. If you started active duty before September 8, 1980, you need at least 90 days of active duty with at least 1 day during a recognized wartime period. If you started active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, you generally need at least 24 months, or the full period you were called or ordered to active duty, with at least 1 day during wartime (VA writes this one "with some exceptions"). And if you started active duty as an officer after October 16, 1981, the path that applies to you is that you had not previously served on active duty for at least 24 months. Recognized wartime periods include World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War, which began August 2, 1990 and has no end date set yet, so it covers post-9/11 service.

2. Age, disability, or care status. VA gives four alternatives here, and meeting any one of them satisfies the test: being 65 or older; having a permanent and total disability; being a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability; or getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A permanent-and-total rating is not the only disability route, so a wartime veteran under 65 who receives SSI meets this test with no adjudicated rating at all.

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. VA's calculation counts your and your dependents' assets plus your annual income combined, not assets alone. Your primary home, your car, and basic household items are excluded.

Surviving spouses also qualify. If the veteran has passed away and the surviving spouse needs assistance with daily activities, they can apply for Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance.

VA Aid and Attendance Rates in Texas (2026)

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.

Category Annual Rate (MAPR) Monthly Equivalent
Veteran, no dependents $29,093 About $2,424
Veteran with spouse $34,488 About $2,874
Two veterans married to each other (both A&A) $46,143 About $3,845
Veteran, no dependents (Housebound) $21,313 About $1,776
Veteran with spouse (Housebound) $26,710 About $2,225
Veteran, no dependents (basic pension) $17,441 About $1,453
Each additional dependent +$2,984 About +$248

The VA publishes these rates as annual amounts only. The monthly figures above are the yearly award divided by 12 and rounded down to the whole dollar, which is how the VA itself describes a monthly payment.

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 - $12,000 = $22,488/year ($1,874/month). Medical expenses you pay out of pocket can reduce your countable income, which increases your benefit.

The Net Worth Limit and 3-Year Lookback

The 2026 net worth limit is $163,699. This combines your and your dependents' assets (savings, investments, property other than your home) with your annual income, so comparing savings alone against the limit gives you the wrong answer.

What counts: Bank accounts, stocks, bonds, investment property, IRAs, and other financial assets plus your annual income.

What doesn't count: Your primary residence (the home you live in), your car, and basic household items.

The 3-Year Lookback Rule

The VA reviews any assets you transferred for less than fair market value in the 3 years before filing 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 5 years during which you won't receive pension benefits.

This rule exists to prevent people from simply giving away their savings to qualify. If you're considering transferring assets, talk to a VA-accredited attorney or elder law attorney first. The penalty can be severe.

How to Apply for VA Aid and Attendance in Texas

The application centers on a medical examination and, if you are taking the pension route, a pension form:

1
Step 1

File an Intent to File first if you're still gathering paperwork

Submit VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension) before the rest is ready. In VA's words, "Submitting an intent to file can secure the earliest possible effective date for any retroactive payments you may be eligible to receive."

2
Step 2

Get a medical examination

A medical examiner must fill out the examination information section of 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 here. The more detail about specific limitations, the stronger the claim. This is the form for Aid and Attendance whether it will be added to your monthly pension or to your monthly compensation.

3
Step 3

Complete the pension application, if you're on the pension route

VA's condition for this benefit is that "You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension," so a wartime veteran pursuing the pension route who is not already receiving VA pension submits VA Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Veterans Pension), the means-tested wartime pension application. It covers your service history, income, net worth, and medical conditions. If you already receive VA disability compensation rather than a pension, this is not your form: Form 21-2680 covers Aid and Attendance added to monthly compensation.

4
Step 4

Submit everything

You can apply online at VA.gov, by mail to the VA Pension Intake Center, or in person at a VA regional office, and an accredited attorney, accredited claims agent, or accredited Veterans Service Organization representative can help you file. Filing online lets you save your progress and track the claim.

5
Step 5

Wait for a decision

Asked how long a decision takes, VA's answer is "It depends." It works claims in the order it receives them, unless a claim requires priority processing. Having a complete application with strong medical documentation helps. Incomplete submissions are the most common reason for delays.

Gather These Documents Before You Start

  • DD-214 (discharge papers) showing wartime service dates
  • Medical records documenting the need for daily assistance
  • Income documentation (Social Security statements, pension statements)
  • Asset information (bank statements, investment accounts)
  • Marriage certificate (if claiming as a veteran with spouse)
  • Death certificate (if applying as a surviving spouse)

Free Help in Texas

Don't pay anyone to file a VA claim. Free, accredited help is available throughout Texas.

Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)

The Texas Veterans Commission is the state's designated agency for veteran benefit assistance. Their claims counselors provide free help filing and appealing VA benefits, including Aid and Attendance. TVC counselors are located in VA Regional Offices, VA medical facilities, VA clinics, and military installations across the state. In Fiscal Year 2019–2020, TVC claims advisors and county service officers filed more than 870,480 claims for Texas veterans, generating over $1.3 billion paid to veterans and their families.

County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs)

Most Texas counties have a Veterans Service Office staffed by trained officers who help with benefits counseling, claims filing, and appeals. Services are free and you can walk in during business hours with no appointment at most offices.

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

National organizations like the VFW, American Legion, DAV, and Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars have accredited representatives who file claims for free. These groups have deep experience with A&A claims specifically.

Warning: Be cautious of companies that charge fees to help with VA claims. VA-accredited attorneys may charge fees for appeals, but the initial claim filing should be free through TVC, CVSOs, or VSOs.

How A&A Works with Medicaid

Aid and Attendance benefits and Texas Medicaid can work together, but there are rules to understand:

  • A&A income doesn't automatically disqualify you from Medicaid. VA pension income is counted when determining Medicaid eligibility, but medical expenses (including home care costs) can be deducted from income for VA purposes.
  • If your loved one is on STAR+PLUS and also receives A&A, the combination can fund more hours of home care than either program alone.
  • A&A can pay for services Medicaid doesn't cover, such as assisted living room and board costs. Medicaid may cover the care services in an assisted living facility, while A&A covers the room and board.
  • Talk to a benefits counselor who understands both programs before applying. The wrong timing or application order can affect eligibility for one or both programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does VA Aid and Attendance pay in 2026?

The maximum depends on your situation, and it is a ceiling on the whole pension rather than an add-on. For a veteran alone the Aid and Attendance MAPR is $29,093 a year, about $2,424 a month; for a veteran with a spouse it is $34,488 a year, about $2,874 a month. Your actual payment is that ceiling minus your countable income. Out-of-pocket medical expenses can lower your countable income and increase your benefit.

Can I receive Aid and Attendance and Medicaid at the same time?

Yes. Many Texas veterans receive both. VA Aid and Attendance income is counted for Medicaid eligibility purposes, but unreimbursed medical expenses can be deducted. The programs can complement each other, with A&A covering costs that Medicaid doesn't (like assisted living room and board).

How long does it take to get approved for Aid and Attendance?

Asked how long a decision takes, VA's answer is "It depends." It works claims in the order it receives them, unless a claim requires priority processing. The most common cause of delays is incomplete applications. Have your doctor be as detailed as possible on Form 21-2680, and submit all supporting documents with your initial application.

Do I have to use the money for care?

No. A&A is a pension benefit, not a reimbursement. Once approved, you receive a monthly payment that you can use for any purpose. Most families use it toward home care, assisted living, or medical expenses.

Next Steps

  • Check eligibility first. Review the wartime service and net worth requirements above to see if the veteran in your family may qualify.
  • Get your medical documentation ready. Have a medical examiner complete the examination information section of VA Form 21-2680 with detailed descriptions of daily limitations.
  • Get free help filing. Contact your county's Veterans Service Officer or the Texas Veterans Commission.
  • Don't pay for help. Free, accredited claim assistance is available throughout Texas.
  • Ask about the state benefits too. If the veteran has a service-connected disability rating, the Texas disabled veteran property tax exemption can cut or erase the property tax on their homestead. It's filed with your county appraisal district, not the VA, so it's a separate application from the A&A claim.
  • For other VA benefits, see our guide to VA benefits for Texas seniors and learn about the VA Caregiver Support Program for family members who provide care.

Learn More

VA BenefitsVA Benefits for Texas SeniorsVA senior care benefits in Texas cover home care, nursing homes, and Aid and Attendance of up to $34,488 a year, or $2,874 a month. How to access each in 2026. CaregiverHow to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in TexasLearn how to get paid as a family caregiver in Texas through Medicaid CDS, CAS, VA programs, and CMPAS. Covers pay rates, eligibility, and step-by-step process. MedicaidTexas STAR+PLUS Waiver ProgramTexas STAR+PLUS covers Medicaid managed care for seniors 65+. The HCBS waiver income limit is $2,982/month, and Community First Choice has no waitlist. MedicaidTexas Medicaid Long-Term Care and Nursing HomesTexas Medicaid pays for nursing home care under regular Medicaid, not a capped waiver. See the 2026 income and asset limits and what the at-home spouse keeps. MedicaidTexas Medicaid Spend-DownTexas allows no income spend-down for long-term care. As an income-cap state it uses a Qualified Income (Miller) Trust. See the 2026 income and asset rules.
Your next step Find personalized help applying for VA Aid and Attendance in Texas 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.

BC

Brevy Care Team

Expert eldercare guidance from Brevy's team of healthcare professionals and researchers.