VA Aid and Attendance in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington, including from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and your county veterans service officer.
In This Guide
- Key Takeaways
- What Is Aid and Attendance?
- Do You Qualify?
- 2026 Aid and Attendance Rates
- The Net Worth Limit and 3-Year Lookback
- How to Apply for VA Aid and Attendance in Washington
- Free Help in Washington: WDVA and County Veterans Service Officers
- How Aid and Attendance Works with Washington Apple Health
- Frequently Asked Questions
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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington
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 veterans 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 Washington: WDVA and County Veterans Service Officers
You don't have to file this claim alone, and you should never pay to file an initial VA claim. Free, qualified help is available across Washington.
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA)
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, known as WDVA, describes itself as an advocate that aggressively pursues all federal and state benefits and entitlements on veterans' behalf. Its Veterans Service Officers assist with VA Disability Compensation, VA Pension or Widows Pension, Aid and Attendance, and health care benefits, and they represent veterans in cases adjudicated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Seattle. This service is provided at no cost to the veteran. You can reach WDVA claims assistance at 1-800-562-2308 or benefits@dva.wa.gov.
WDVA also operates four state veterans homes, all of them Medicare- and Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facilities providing 24-hour nursing care, medical care, and pharmacy services, along with supportive services such as physical and occupational therapy, hospice, and recreational programs: the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting, the Washington Veterans Home at Retsil in Port Orchard, the Spokane Veterans Home, and the Walla Walla Veterans Home. To be eligible, an applicant must have served at any time in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces with an honorable discharge; spouses, surviving spouses of veterans, and Gold Star Parents may also qualify. Families apply by contacting the WDVA admissions team at 1-877-838-7787. For a veteran weighing assisted living or nursing care, an A&A award can help cover costs whether they stay at home or move into one of these homes.
County Veterans Service Officers
WDVA also maintains a directory of county-level veterans services so a family can find the service officer nearest to them. A county veterans service officer can prepare and submit your claim and develop the evidence the VA needs, at no cost to you. Under federal law, accredited representatives cannot charge a fee simply to prepare and file an original benefits claim.
Washington's Veteran Population
Washington is home to roughly half a million veterans. The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs reports a Washington veteran population of 494,383 as of September 30, 2025, a figure derived from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense population data; the VA's National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics publishes the authoritative state-level counts families should consult for the current federal figure. With that many veterans, demand on service officers is real, so it's worth contacting one 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 WDVA, your county veterans service officer, or a Veterans Service Organization like the VFW, American Legion, or DAV.
Need help finding a veterans service officer near you? Ask Brevy's care navigator at brevy.com.
How Aid and Attendance Works with Washington Apple Health
Aid and Attendance and Washington Apple Health (the state's Medicaid program, administered by the Health Care Authority) are run separately, by different agencies and under different rules. A veteran can receive both at the same time, but the two count money differently, so a few points are worth understanding.
- A&A is an add-on to your VA pension. Aid and Attendance is paid as an increased monthly amount added to a Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension for those who need another person's help with daily activities, are largely bedridden, or live in a nursing home because of disability.
- The attendance and medical portions are generally not counted by Apple Health. Under Washington's published Apple Health rules, the Aid and Attendance allowance, the housebound allowance, and amounts a veteran's pension includes for unreimbursed or unusual medical expenses are not countable income for SSI-related Apple Health and must be split out from the total VA payment amount, while the basic pension amount is generally treated as income.
- The two programs cover different things. A&A can pay for costs Apple Health long-term care often doesn't, such as room and board in assisted living, while Apple Health may cover the care services themselves and long-term nursing care.
- Timing and exact mechanics matter. Apple Health counts most income when determining eligibility and a client's share of long-term-care cost, so the exact countable-income calculation and any client participation should be confirmed with the Health Care Authority or DSHS for your specific case before you file.
For the bigger picture of protecting assets while qualifying for care, see our guide to Medicaid planning strategies.
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 Washington. 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 Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-562-2308 or benefits@dva.wa.gov, or find your nearest county veterans service officer through WDVA's county-services directory. Their service officers prepare and submit VA claims for free. You should never pay to file an initial claim.
Yes. A veteran can receive both. Under Washington's Apple Health rules, the Aid and Attendance allowance, the housebound allowance, and the unreimbursed-medical-expense portion of a VA pension are not countable income for SSI-related Apple Health, while the basic pension is generally treated as income. Confirm the exact calculation with the Health Care Authority or DSHS before applying, because timing can affect eligibility.
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
- Medicaid Planning Strategies
- Assisted Living in Washington
- Nursing Homes in Washington
- Memory Care in Washington
- The Cost of Senior Care in Washington
Find personalized help applying for VA Aid and Attendance in Washington 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.