VA Aid and Attendance
A real benefit for veterans who need help with daily living — and one of the most heavily misrepresented programmes there is. Here is what it actually does.
It is an addition, not a separate benefit
You cannot apply for Aid and Attendance on its own. It increases a Veterans Pension for people who also need help with daily activities.
So the first question is whether you qualify for the Pension at all — which turns on service, age or disability, income and net worth. If the answer is no, there is nothing for Aid and Attendance to be added to.
What it is for
Veterans and surviving spouses who need another person's help with everyday things — bathing, dressing, eating, getting around safely — or who are largely confined to home. There is a related Housebound benefit for that second situation.
It is genuinely valuable for people in that position, and a lot of eligible veterans and widows never look into it.
Why you have probably seen this advertised
Aid and Attendance is marketed hard, often as “free money for seniors” or a monthly figure in a headline. That framing is the calling card of firms charging veterans for help that accredited organisations provide at no cost.
Be especially wary of anyone suggesting you move money, buy an annuity or set up a trust in order to qualify. Restructuring assets to meet a net-worth test carries consequences — including for Medicaid eligibility later, when you may need it more.
American Senior Choices is not VA-accredited and cannot help with a VA claim. We are telling you this exists. The people below can help you file, free.
How to actually pursue it
- Find out whether you may qualify for a Veterans Pension, since that is the foundation.
- Talk to your county Veteran Service Officer or an accredited Veterans Service Organization. Free, and they do this daily.
- Gather your medical documentation. A doctor's account of what help you need with daily activities carries real weight.
- Check the accreditation of anyone who offers to help before paying them anything at all.
Questions people actually ask
Is Aid and Attendance a separate benefit I can apply for?
No, and this is the most common misunderstanding. It is an addition to a Veterans Pension. You have to qualify for the Pension first — on service, age or disability, income and net worth — and then Aid and Attendance can increase that payment if you also need help with daily activities. If you do not qualify for the Pension, there is nothing for it to be added to.
How much is it?
It depends on the Pension calculation and on your circumstances, so any single figure quoted at you should be treated as a sales pitch rather than an answer. The VA can tell you what applies to your situation.
Someone offered to help me qualify. Should I?
Be very careful. Accredited Veterans Service Organizations and county Veteran Service Officers help for free. Only VA-accredited representatives may assist with claims. Be especially wary of anyone who suggests moving money, buying an annuity or setting up a trust in order to qualify — that can carry serious consequences, including for Medicaid eligibility later.
What counts as needing help with daily activities?
Broadly, needing another person's help with things like bathing, dressing, eating, or protecting yourself from everyday hazards — or being largely confined to your home. The VA sets and applies the criteria, and your doctor's documentation matters a great deal.
Can a surviving spouse get it?
Survivors of qualifying veterans may be eligible for a Survivors Pension, and Aid and Attendance can apply there too. Many surviving spouses never look into it at all.
Official sources
- VA — Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits
- VA — Veterans Pension
- Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Related
- All veteran resources
- Medicare and VA coverage together
- Long-term care help in Washington
- What help should I check?
What we can help with
Not the VA claim — but if care needs are changing, which doctors and hospitals your Medicare covers becomes a live question. Tim can review the plans he represents against your situation.
Talk With Tim About Medicare: (360) 472-4261This line is recorded, as Medicare requires for plan conversations.
Last reviewed September 2026. American Senior Choices is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is not VA-accredited, and cannot represent anyone on a VA claim. Eligibility and payment amounts are determined by the VA and can change.
Disclaimer: American Senior Choices is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 5 organizations which offer 33 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.