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VA Aid and Attendance, 2026

Current maximum annual pension rates, the net worth limit, and why care costs can make a veteran eligible despite moderate income.

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VA Aid and Attendance, 2026

Short answer

VA Aid and Attendance is a federal Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension add-on for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. It supplements the base pension up to a Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR); VA pays the difference between countable inc

SituationMaximum annual rateApproximate monthly
Veteran, no dependents, Aid and Attendance$29,093/year$2,424 per month
Veteran with 1 dependent, Aid and Attendance$34,488/year$2,874 per month
Surviving spouse, no dependents, Aid and Attendance$18,697/year$1,558 per month
Two veterans married to each other, both qualify$46,143/year$3,845 per month

Net worth limit: $163,699 (effective December 1, 2025 – November 30, 2026)

VA Aid and Attendance is a federal Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension add-on for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. It supplements the base pension up to a Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR); VA pays the difference between countable income and the MAPR, after deducting unreimbursed medical expenses, so the actual monthly payment varies by household income.

MAPR is a ceiling, not a flat payment — VA pays the difference between countable income and the MAPR after deducting unreimbursed medical expenses, so actual monthly payments vary by household. This is a federal benefit, so these rates and rules are identical for Long Island veterans and survivors as for any other state. There is a 3-year look-back period for asset transfers, with penalty periods up to 5 years. Rates effective December 1, 2025 – November 30, 2026 (2.8% COLA applied).

Source: VA veterans pension rates

Source: VA survivors pension rates

Questions families ask

What happens after I make an Adult Protective Services report in Suffolk County?

Suffolk County APS caseworkers investigate allegations of abuse or neglect of impaired adults living in the community who depend on others for basic needs, and per the county's own published FAQ, caseworkers have 60 days to complete an assessment after intake. The investigation determines whether the person meets APS criteria and what services or protective interventions may be needed.

Is there a statewide phone number for adult protective services if I'm not sure whether to call Nassau or Suffolk directly?

Yes - New York maintains a statewide OCFS/HSCC number for adult services information and APS routing: 1-844-697-3505. This can help route a call correctly if you're unsure whether Nassau County Adult Protective Services (516-227-8395) or Suffolk County Adult Protective Services (631-854-3232) is the right direct line for your situation.

My parent is being discharged from a Northwell Health hospital on Long Island - who helps plan next steps?

Northwell Health is the largest healthcare system in New York State, with Long Island hospitals including North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset), Long Island Jewish Medical Center (New Hyde Park), Huntington Hospital, Glen Cove Hospital, Mather Hospital (Port Jefferson), South Shore University Hospital (Bay Shore), LIJ Valley Stream, and Peconic Bay Medical Center (Riverhead). Each hospital has its own discharge planning staff who coordinate a patient's transition to home care, rehabilitation, or a skilled nursing facility.

What's the difference between being under observation and being formally admitted to the hospital, and why does it matter afterward?

Observation status and inpatient admission are different Medicare billing classifications that a hospital assigns based on a physician's assessment of the patient's condition, and the distinction significantly affects what Medicare covers afterward. Specifically, Medicare's skilled nursing facility benefit generally requires a prior 3-day qualifying inpatient hospital stay, and time spent under observation does not count toward that requirement. Families should ask hospital staff directly and explicitly which status their parent has been assigned, since it isn't always obvious from where the patient is physically located in the hospital.

Which Long Island hospital system likely serves my area - Northwell, Catholic Health, Stony Brook Medicine, or NYU Langone?

Coverage overlaps, but broadly: Northwell dominates central and western Nassau and much of Suffolk, plus the North Fork via Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. Catholic Health covers central Nassau and western-central Suffolk, including Rockville Centre, Roslyn, West Islip, Smithtown, Port Jefferson, and Bethpage. Stony Brook Medicine covers central and eastern Suffolk plus the South and North Forks. NYU Langone covers Mineola and central Nassau, with a Suffolk presence as well.

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