Pension Aid and Attendance is an increased VA pension amount, not a separate standalone benefit. A Veteran or eligible survivor must qualify for Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension and also meet the additional Aid and Attendance or Housebound criteria.
What this guide covers
This page addresses Aid and Attendance added to needs-based Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension. It is different from Special Monthly Compensation Aid and Attendance, which is based on service-connected disability compensation.
Start with pension eligibility
Veterans Pension generally requires qualifying wartime service, an age or disability basis, and family income and net worth within the limits set for the program. Survivors Pension has separate relationship, service, income, and net-worth requirements.
Then establish the additional need
VA identifies several possible Aid and Attendance bases, including needing another person’s help with daily activities, being substantially confined to bed because of illness, residing in a nursing home because of disability-related loss of mental or physical ability, or meeting the specified severe-vision criteria.
Housebound is a separate increased-pension category for a pension recipient who is substantially confined to the home because of permanent disability. Aid and Attendance and Housebound are not paid at the same time.
Evidence and forms
- VA Form 21-2680, completed with the required medical examination information.
- VA Form 21-0779 when a nursing-home official must verify qualifying nursing-home care.
- Medical and functional evidence explaining the assistance, confinement, nursing-home status, or vision impairment being claimed.
- Income, asset, dependency, and unreimbursed-medical-expense information required for the underlying pension determination.
How to apply
VA permits applications online, by mail, or in person. A Veteran who is not already receiving pension may also need the Veterans Pension application. A surviving spouse or other eligible survivor may need the Survivors Pension application.
Governing authorities
- 38 U.S.C. § 1521 — Veterans Pension
- 38 U.S.C. § 1541 — Survivors Pension
- 38 C.F.R. § 3.351 — Aid and Attendance and Housebound criteria
- 38 C.F.R. § 3.352 — Criteria for determining need for Aid and Attendance
Get help with the correct pension pathway
An accredited Veterans Service Organization representative, claims agent, or attorney can help identify the correct pension benefit, review the required forms and financial evidence, and assist with a claim or decision review. Navigating VA provides educational information and does not file claims or provide representation.