How much is VA Aid and Attendance in 2026?
From December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026, the VA's Maximum Annual Pension Rate with Aid and Attendance is $29,093 a year for a veteran with no dependents, $34,488 with one dependent, and $18,697 for a surviving spouse with no dependents.
| 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 |
These are federal rates, the same in Louisville as anywhere, raised by a 2.8% cost-of-living increase. Monthly figures are the annual rate divided by 12.
How does Aid and Attendance actually get paid?
Aid and Attendance is not a separate check; it raises the pension's Maximum Annual Pension Rate, and the VA pays the difference between that rate and the veteran's countable income, after unreimbursed medical and care expenses are subtracted.
That is why a veteran or widow with a moderate income can still qualify once assisted living, personal care home or home care bills are counted. The net worth limit, combining assets and annual income, is $163,699 for this period, and the VA applies a look-back to asset transfers.
Who helps Louisville veterans apply for Aid and Attendance?
Accredited Veterans Service Officers help veterans file pension claims at no charge; KIPDA's Aging & Disability Resource Center at (502) 266-5571 can point Louisville-area families to local veterans' services, and the VA's own pension pages explain the forms.
Be wary of anyone who charges to file a pension claim or proposes moving assets into a product to qualify. Accredited representatives are listed on the VA's accreditation search.
Can Aid and Attendance be combined with Kentucky programs?
Yes, in some cases: VA pension counts as income for Kentucky Medicaid and State Supplementation, so it can reduce those benefits, but for private-pay assisted living it is often the difference that makes a Louisville community affordable.
Ask any community whether it has residents using Aid and Attendance and whether it will document care costs for the claim. A community's written fee schedule and a physician's statement of need for help with daily activities are the core documents.
At a glance
| VA Aid and Attendance is | VA Aid and Attendance is not | |
|---|---|---|
| Benefit type | An increase to the VA pension's maximum rate | A separate monthly check |
| Income test | Countable income after unreimbursed care costs | Gross income |
| Location | Federal, identical in Kentucky and elsewhere | Set by the state |
| Help | Free through accredited representatives | Something you should pay to file |
Sources include KRS Chapter 194A, 902 KAR 20:480, Kentucky CHFS and DMS pages, CareScout and VA rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
