What are VA Pensions?
VA Pensions & Long-Term Care – Quick Facts
A monthly, tax-free cash benefit for eligible wartime Veterans or their surviving spouses that can help pay for care, including assisted living.
Basic Pension, Aid & Attendance (A&A) for higher care needs, and Housebound for limited mobility—A&A and Housebound are add-ons to the Basic Pension.
They can sometimes be received together, but the Basic portion may count as income for Medicaid in some states; A&A/Housebound generally do not.
MAPRs vary by status; tables below show annual and monthly maximums for Basic, A&A, and Housebound.
Yes—countable income must be below the MAPR (after UMEs) and net worth must be under the 2025 limit of $159,240.
Apply for Basic first, then A&A/Housebound add-ons; use the correct VA forms and consider a VA-accredited planner to avoid long processing holds.
What are the different VA pensions?
- Basic Veterans / Survivors Pension: Income support for low-income wartime Veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses.
- Aid & Attendance (A&A): Add-on for those needing help with ADLs or who are in long-term care.
- Housebound: Add-on for those substantially confined to home due to permanent disability.
These benefits can help pay for home care, assisted living, or nursing care.
How do VA pensions compare to Medicaid?
VA pensions pay cash to the household; Medicaid pays providers. In some states the Basic Pension portion may count as income for Medicaid, but A&A and Housebound generally do not. Medicaid tends to be stronger for nursing home costs, while VA pensions can be advantageous for home care and assisted living. Complex cases (e.g., spouses with different care levels) often benefit from specialized planning.
2025 VA Pension Rates (Maximum Annual Pension Rate – MAPR)
Annual maximums shown with monthly equivalents in parentheses.
Basic Veterans / Survivors Pension
| Status | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran (no spouse/child) | $16,965 | $1,413 |
| Veteran with spouse/child | $22,216 | $1,851 |
| Two Veterans married | $22,216 | $1,851 |
| Surviving spouse (no child) | $11,380 | $948 |
| Surviving spouse with child | $14,893 | $1,241 |
Aid & Attendance (A&A) – Added to Basic Pension
| Status | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran (no spouse/child) | $28,300 | $2,358 |
| Veteran with spouse/child | $33,548 | $2,795 |
| Two Veterans (one A&A) | $33,548 | $2,795 |
| Two Veterans (one A&A, one Housebound) | $37,305 | $3,108 |
| Two Veterans (both A&A) | $44,886 | $3,740 |
| Surviving spouse (no child) | $18,187 | $1,515 |
| Surviving spouse with child | $21,696 | $1,808 |
Housebound – Added to Basic Pension
| Status | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran (no spouse/child) | $20,732 | $1,727 |
| Veteran with spouse/child | $25,982 | $2,165 |
| Two Veterans (one Housebound) | $25,982 | $2,165 |
| Two Veterans (one A&A, one Housebound) | $37,305 | $3,108 |
| Two Veterans (both Housebound) | $29,747 | $2,478 |
| Surviving spouse (no child) | $13,908 | $1,159 |
| Surviving spouse with child | $17,414 | $1,451 |
Who is eligible for a VA pension?
- Military service: Generally 90 days active duty with at least 1 wartime day (post-9/7/1980 rules require longer active service or completion of obligated service).
- Wartime periods: WWI, WWII, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Era, and Gulf War (dates apply; Gulf War end date TBD).
- Income test: Countable income must be under the MAPR; unreimbursed medical expenses (UMEs) can reduce income.
- Net worth cap (2025): $159,240 including countable assets and income (home and one vehicle excluded).
- Disability/age: Basic requires age 65+ or qualifying disability; A&A/Housebound require higher care or confinement criteria.
How do “countable income” and UMEs work?
Most income sources are countable. UMEs (e.g., premiums, home care, equipment) can be deducted, but only the amount above 5% of the applicable MAPR counts toward reducing income.
What is the VA net worth rule and look-back?
The 2025 net worth limit is $159,240 (assets + countable income). There’s a three-year look-back for below-market transfers after Oct. 18, 2018; violations can trigger up to a five-year penalty unless the asset is returned.
What are the disability requirements by pension type?
Basic Pension — What must I meet?
- Age 65+; or
- Permanent and total non-service-connected disability; or
- Resident in a nursing home due to disability; or
- Receiving SSI or SSDI.
Aid & Attendance — When do I qualify?
- Need help with ADLs (bathing, dressing, eating, mobility), or
- Bedridden most of the day, or
- In a nursing home due to loss of physical/mental abilities, or
- Severe visual impairment (≤5/200 acuity or visual field ≤5°).
Housebound — What is required?
- Substantially confined to home due to permanent disability.
Note: You cannot receive A&A and Housebound at the same time.
How do I apply without getting stuck in limbo?
- File for Basic Pension first (VA Form 21P-527EZ for Veterans; 21P-534EZ for survivors).
- Gather proof of service, income/assets, UMEs, marriage/death certificates, and medical statements.
- Submit via QuickSubmit, mail (Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365), or a VA regional office.
Pro tip: Have a VA-accredited planner review the file—partial or error-filled applications can stall for months.
Should I get help from a VA-accredited planner?
Yes—coordination with Medicaid rules, income/net worth calculations, and the A&A/Housebound criteria is nuanced. Professional guidance helps maximize benefits and prevent avoidable denials.
