08/11/2026
🧱 There is a tax-free VA benefit that pays up to $2,874 a month toward long-term care, and it is widely considered the most underused major benefit the VA offers, because most eligible families have never heard its name.
It is called Aid & Attendance, and the 2026 maximums are $2,424 a month for a single veteran, $2,874 for a veteran with a spouse, and $1,558 for a surviving spouse.
Who qualifies: wartime-era veterans, generally 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a wartime period, who now need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or supervision for memory issues.
The surviving spouse qualifies too, even if they never served a day, if the marriage lasted a year or more.
The income test is friendlier than it looks, because care costs themselves are deducted first, which means the assisted living bill often erases the very income that would have disqualified you, and families quit at the income question one step too early.
The net worth limit is $163,699, and the house and personal belongings do not count against it.
It pays for care at home too, including care from family members, plus assisted living and nursing facilities, and there is a 36-month lookback on asset transfers.
How to apply without paying anyone: applications are free at the VA, and accredited Veterans Service Officers at the VFW, American Legion, DAV, and county veterans offices help for free, so anyone charging a fee to unlock this benefit is selling you a form.
Find the DD-214, then make the free call.
Is there a wartime veteran or surviving spouse in your family who has never checked this?
P.S. Once a week, I email the best money article I read, with my take on this week's top Facebook posts and what's new on the Ways to Wealth blog. It's free, and you can sign up on the Ways to Wealth home page.
R.J. Weiss, CFP®
*The content shared here is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not personalized investment, tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a licensed professional before making decisions based on your specific situation.*
