By Memphis Senior Advisor Care Team · October 21, 2026
Aid and Attendance raises the VA pension's maximum rate to $29,093 a year for a single veteran and $18,697 for a surviving spouse (Dec. 1, 2025 to Nov. 30, 2026). Unreimbursed care costs reduce countable income, so a veteran paying for assisted living can often qualify for close to the maximum. The net worth limit is $163,699.
The rates for this year
The VA's pension rates for December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026, at the Aid and Attendance and Housebound levels:
| Situation | Maximum annual rate | About per month |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran with no dependents, Aid and Attendance | $29,093 | $2,424 |
| Veteran with one dependent, Aid and Attendance | $34,488 | $2,874 |
| Two veterans married to each other, both A&A | $46,143 | $3,845 |
| Surviving spouse, no dependents, Aid and Attendance | $18,697 | $1,558 |
| Veteran with no dependents, Housebound | $21,313 | $1,776 |
Aid and Attendance is not a separate check. It raises the Maximum Annual Pension Rate, and the VA pays the difference between that rate and the claimant's countable income.
A worked example
Consider a wartime veteran with no dependents, living in Bartlett, with $2,600 a month in Social Security and a small pension, who moves into an assisted-care living facility costing $5,595 a month, which happens to be Tennessee's 2025 median for assisted living. His annual income is $31,200. His annual unreimbursed care cost is $67,140.
Because the care costs exceed his income, his countable income after deducting them is $0. The VA would then pay up to the full maximum rate, $29,093 a year, about $2,424 a month, provided he meets the service, net worth and medical need requirements. That payment would close most of the gap between his income and the facility's bill.
Real cases are rarely this tidy: the VA applies a deductible to medical expenses, counts some income differently, and requires documentation that the care is medically needed. But the structure is why the benefit fits assisted living so well.
Eligibility basics
The veteran must have qualifying wartime service and meet the pension's income and net worth rules, and must need the aid and attendance of another person (help with bathing, dressing, eating or similar), be bedridden, live in a nursing home because of disability, or have limited eyesight. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans can apply at their own rates. The VA reviews asset transfers in the three years before a claim, separately from TennCare's five-year look-back.
Memphis-area veterans get VA health care at the Memphis VA Medical Center, and Naval Support Activity Mid-South is in Millington, so many families in north Shelby and south Tipton counties have a veteran or surviving spouse to ask about. Apply through an accredited veterans service officer at no charge. Be wary of anyone who charges to file or recommends moving assets to qualify.
Using the pension alongside other programs
The VA pension counts as income for TennCare, so a veteran receiving it may land above or below TennCare's $2,982 income cap depending on other income. If a parent may need TennCare CHOICES later, plan both applications together. Long-term care insurance benefits can affect the unreimbursed-expense calculation, too.
Documents to gather before applying
A pension claim moves faster with complete paperwork. Gather the veteran's discharge papers (DD-214 or equivalent), a marriage certificate and death certificate if a surviving spouse is applying, Social Security and pension award letters, recent bank statements, and records of any asset transfers in the last three years. For Aid and Attendance, the VA needs medical evidence of the need for help with daily activities; a physician's statement is typically part of that.
For assisted living, include a statement from the facility showing the monthly charge and the care provided, because the care portion supports the unreimbursed medical expense deduction. Keep copies of everything you send.
Timing the claim with a move
Families often wait to apply until after a move, then lose months of potential benefits to processing time. If a move to assisted living is likely within the year, talk to an accredited service officer early about the right timing. The officer can also explain how a claim interacts with TennCare if a parent may later need CHOICES, since the pension counts as income for TennCare's $2,982 monthly limit in 2026.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistakes are waiting too long to apply, missing medical evidence of the need for help, and moving assets in ways that trigger the VA's three-year look-back. Another is assuming the pension is only for nursing homes; the Aid and Attendance rate can help with assisted living or home care costs as well. A final one is paying someone to file a claim. Accredited service officers help at no charge, and VA rules restrict fees for preparing an initial pension claim.
Families should also remember that the pension is paid to the veteran or surviving spouse, not to the facility. Budget for it as income, and keep records of care expenses for any VA review.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aid and Attendance a separate payment?
No. It raises the maximum annual pension rate; the VA pays the difference between that rate and countable income.
Can a surviving spouse get Aid and Attendance?
Yes. A surviving spouse with no dependents has a maximum annual rate of $18,697 for the 2025-26 rate year.
What is the VA net worth limit?
$163,699 for the rate year running December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026.
Who helps Memphis veterans apply?
Accredited veterans service officers, at no cost.
