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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 needs-based pension add-on for wartime veterans (and their surviving spouses) who need help with activities of daily living. The VA compares the applicant's countable income to a Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR); unreimbursed medical expenses (includi

SituationMaximum annual rateApproximate monthly
Veteran needing Aid and Attendance (no dependents)$29,093/year$2,424/month per month
Surviving spouse needing Aid and Attendance (no dependents)$18,697/year$1,558/month per month

Net worth limit: $163,699 (effective December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026); excludes primary residence and one vehicle

VA Aid and Attendance is a needs-based pension add-on for wartime veterans (and their surviving spouses) who need help with activities of daily living. The VA compares the applicant's countable income to a Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR); unreimbursed medical expenses (including assisted living, memory care, or in-home caregiver costs) above 5% of the MAPR threshold can be deducted from countable income, which often increases or unlocks the benefit.

Rates above are the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) divided into an approximate monthly figure; actual payment equals MAPR minus the applicant's countable annual income, paid out monthly. VA pension and Aid & Attendance rates are federal and identical nationwide — they do not vary by state, including Minnesota. Rates effective December 1, 2025 (2.8% COLA increase applied for the December 1, 2025–November 30, 2026 rate year).

Source: VA veterans pension rates

Source: VA survivors pension rates

Questions families ask

Who can advocate for a resident who has no family nearby in the Twin Cities?

The Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (1-800-657-3591) advocates for any resident of a licensed facility regardless of whether family is involved, and Trellis, the metro's Area Agency on Aging, can connect isolated seniors with care coordination and other supportive services through the Senior LinkAge Line (1-800-333-2433).

Does a resident need a lawyer to file an ombudsman complaint in Minnesota?

No. Contacting the Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 1-800-657-3591 is free and does not require an attorney — the office exists specifically to provide free advocacy and complaint resolution for long-term care residents and their families.

How do I report abuse or neglect at a Twin Cities facility?

Call the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) at 1-844-880-1574, a statewide line staffed 24/7, to report suspected physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult anywhere in Minnesota, including all seven metro counties. MAARC routes the report to the correct county or Tribal agency for investigation. Call 911 first if someone is in immediate danger.

Is MAARC the same everywhere in Minnesota, or does each Twin Cities county have its own abuse hotline?

MAARC is a single statewide intake line — 1-844-880-1574 — used by every county in Minnesota, including Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Anoka, and Washington. There is no separate county-specific abuse hotline; MAARC itself routes each report to the appropriate county or Tribal social services agency for investigation after intake.

What counts as financial exploitation of a senior in Minnesota, and where do I report it?

Financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult — including undue influence over finances, theft, or misuse of a power of attorney — should be reported to MAARC at 1-844-880-1574, the same statewide line used for other forms of suspected abuse or neglect. If a specific licensed facility is involved and the concern also touches on regulatory compliance, MDH's Office of Health Facility Complaints (651-201-4200) can be contacted separately.

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