Released: February 19, 2019

Help Desk FAQ

What are Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefits for veterans?

Many veterans who were in uniform during a war, and their surviving spouses, could be eligible for a monthly Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefit. The A&A benefit helps pay the costs of elder care, such as assisted living and adult daycare or skilled nursing. The Housebound benefit is for veterans with a disability rating of 100 percent (not necessarily related to their service) that prevents them from leaving their home. The Aid & Attendance and Housebound pensions provide additional monthly income over and above the basic monthly pension.

In 2019, qualifying veterans and their spouses could be eligible for a VA Pension of over $2,230 per month to help cover the costs of elder care assistance. There are eligibility requirements, including income and asset limits.

For more information, or to begin the application process, visit these sites:

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) (both the Aid & Attendance benefit and the Housebound benefit fall under the category of Veterans Pension Program benefits)
• Your state’s Department of Veterans Affairs
• National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO) (under menu, click on “Find Service Officers” to locate assistance in your county)