Last verified: March 2026. These figures may change. Check the VA pension rates page for the most current details.
Key Takeaways
- The VA Aid and Attendance benefit pays up to $2,874/month for a married Texas veteran who needs help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating
- You don't need a VA disability rating to qualify — wartime service, age 65+, and limited income and assets are the main requirements
- The 2026 net worth limit is $163,699, but your home, one car, and household goods don't count
- The benefit is a tax-free cash payment you can spend on home care, assisted living, nursing home costs, or anything else you need
- The Texas Veterans Commission offers free help filing your claim through 294 county service officers statewide
In This Guide
- How Much Does It Pay?
- Do You Qualify?
- The 3-Year Lookback Rule
- How to Apply
- What Can You Use It For?
- Texas Resources for Veterans
- FAQ
If you're caring for a Texas veteran who needs help getting through the day, the VA Aid and Attendance benefit could put real money toward that care. It's one of the most valuable VA pension benefits available, and many families don't know it exists. This guide covers everything you need to know about VA aid and attendance Texas benefits for 2026: who qualifies, how much it pays, and how to apply. You can chat with Brevy to check your eligibility in a few minutes.
Important: The figures and rules described here are based on current data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. VA pension rates are adjusted annually. Contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or the Texas Veterans Commission at 1-800-252-8387 to verify current requirements for your situation.
VA Aid and Attendance Texas: How Much Does It Pay in 2026?
For the period December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026, Aid and Attendance rates reflect a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment.
Veteran Rates
| Situation | Annual Amount | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents | $29,093 | $2,424 |
| Veteran with spouse or child | $34,488 | $2,874 |
| Two veterans married, both qualifying | $46,143 | $3,845 |
| Each additional dependent | +$2,984/year | +$249/month |
Surviving Spouse Rates
| Situation | Annual Amount | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse, no dependents | $18,697 | $1,558 |
| Surviving spouse with one dependent | $22,304 | $1,858 |
| Each additional child | +$2,984/year | +$249/month |
How Your Payment Is Calculated
The VA doesn't write everyone the same check. Your monthly payment equals the difference between the maximum rate and your countable annual income, divided by 12.
Here's an example: A single veteran qualifying for A&A with $18,000/year in Social Security income would receive ($29,093 - $18,000) / 12 = approximately $924/month.
Medical Expenses Can Increase Your Benefit
Unreimbursed medical expenses above 5% of the maximum rate can be deducted from your countable income. That includes home health aide costs, assisted living charges, nursing home fees, health insurance premiums, prescriptions, hearing aids, and wheelchairs.
This deduction is where many families see their benefit jump significantly. If a married veteran has $24,000 in annual income but pays $36,000/year for assisted living, the medical expense deduction can bring countable income to $0, qualifying them for the full $2,874/month. Gather every medical receipt before you file. The families who get the highest payments are the ones who document every qualifying expense.
Not sure if you qualify? Chat with Brevy to check your eligibility -- it takes a few minutes.
Do You Qualify for VA Aid and Attendance in Texas?
There are four parts to eligibility: wartime service, age or disability, care needs, and finances.
Wartime Service
The veteran must have served on active duty for at least 90 days, with at least one day during a qualifying wartime period. Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980 need at least 24 months of active duty or the full period for which they were called. Discharge must be under conditions other than dishonorable.
Qualifying wartime periods include World War II (1941-1946), the Korean Conflict (1950-1955), the Vietnam Era (1955/1964-1975), and the Gulf War (August 2, 1990 to present).
Age or Disability
The veteran must meet at least one of these: be age 65 or older, have a permanent and total disability, be in a nursing home for long-term care, or be receiving SSDI or SSI. For veterans 65 and older, age alone satisfies this requirement. No separate disability rating is needed.
Care Needs
To receive the Aid and Attendance rate (above the basic pension), the veteran must meet at least one of these conditions:
- Needs another person to help with daily activities like bathing, feeding, and dressing
- Is bedridden or spends a large part of the day in bed due to illness
- Is in a nursing home due to mental or physical disability
- Has corrected eyesight of 5/200 or worse in both eyes, or a visual field of 5 degrees or less
A veteran can't receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time.
Net Worth and Income
The net worth limit for 2026 is $163,699. This includes all countable assets plus annual income, and for married veterans, it includes a spouse's assets and income too.
What doesn't count: your primary residence (up to 2 acres of land, regardless of home value), one personal vehicle, household goods, and personal effects. What does count: savings, investments, stocks, bonds, IRAs, vacation properties, and any real estate beyond the primary home.
Want to see if your family is eligible? Start a free eligibility check with Brevy -- no paperwork needed.
The 3-Year Lookback Rule
The VA examines all asset transfers during the 36 months before a pension application, a rule in effect since October 18, 2018. If gifts or below-market-value sales would have pushed the applicant's net worth above $163,699, the VA may impose a penalty period of benefit ineligibility.
The penalty is calculated by dividing the excess amount by the monthly MAPR for Aid and Attendance with one dependent ($2,874/month for 2026). The maximum penalty is 5 years.
Transfers made before October 18, 2018 are exempt. If you recover transferred assets before applying or within 60 days of a VA lookback determination, the penalty can be recalculated or reversed.
Planning around the lookback rule is one of the most common reasons families talk to a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent before applying. If your family has made large gifts in the past three years, get professional advice before you file.
How to Apply for VA Aid and Attendance in Texas
Veterans apply using VA Form 21P-527EZ (surviving spouses use VA Form 21P-534EZ). In addition, you'll need VA Form 21-2680, which your doctor fills out to document the need for daily assistance.
You can file five ways:
- Online at va.gov
- PDF upload through the VA's AccessVA QuickSubmit tool
- By mail to the VA Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365
- In person at a VA regional office
- Through a representative such as an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO)
You'll also need your DD-214 (discharge papers), Social Security number, income and asset documentation, proof of unreimbursed medical expenses, and medical records if you're under 65.
Filing an Intent to File establishes an effective date for retroactive payments while you gather your documents. This is a step many families skip, and it can cost them months of back pay. File the intent first, then take the time to get everything right.
Have questions about your situation? Ask Brevy -- it's free and takes a few minutes.
What Can You Use the Benefit For?
The A&A benefit is a tax-free cash payment with no restrictions on spending. The money goes directly to the veteran or surviving spouse, not to a care provider.
Common uses include in-home care (personal care attendants, home health aides), assisted living, nursing home care, memory care for Alzheimer's and dementia, and adult day care services.
To put the benefit in context, according to industry estimates, the average cost of assisted living in Texas is approximately $3,515/month, a nursing home semi-private room averages around $54,020/year, and home health aide services average roughly $43,472/year. The maximum A&A benefit of $2,874/month won't fully cover most facility-based care, but it makes a meaningful dent and can be combined with other income, savings, or Medicaid.
Combining A&A with Texas Medicaid
If your veteran also qualifies for Texas Medicaid (STAR+PLUS), the two programs can work together. VA pension income counts toward Medicaid eligibility, but the Aid and Attendance allowance component is completely exempt from both Medicaid eligibility and co-payment calculations.
For veterans in nursing homes, the VA reduces the pension to $90/month after the month of admission. That $90 is treated as an A&A allowance and is excluded from Medicaid income and co-payment budgets.
Texas Resources for Veterans
Texas has strong support for veterans applying for Aid and Attendance.
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)
The TVC provides free claims assistance through 294 Veteran County Service Officers across the state. They'll help you complete the application, gather supporting documents, and prepare the medical statements your doctor needs to fill out. County offices strongly recommend consulting with them before submitting anything to the VA.
- TVC Call Center: 1-800-252-8387
- Main Office: (512) 463-6564
- Email: info@tvc.texas.gov
- Appointments: tvc.texas.gov/claims/appointments/
Texas State Veterans Homes
Texas operates ten state veterans homes through the Texas Veterans Land Board, offering skilled nursing care to veterans, their spouses, unremarried surviving spouses, and Gold Star parents. Locations include Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, Fort Worth, Houston, McAllen, Temple, and Tyler.
Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability can generally live in these homes for free. For others, costs are income-based. Services go beyond standard nursing care to include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with equine, art, music, and pet therapy. Your A&A benefit can be used toward the cost of care at these facilities.
Key Contact Numbers
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| VA Benefits Hotline | 1-800-827-1000 |
| Texas Veterans Commission | 1-800-252-8387 |
| Veterans Crisis Line | 988, press 1 |
| Texas GLO (State Veterans Homes) | (512) 936-9582 |
| VA Pension Intake Center (mail) | PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365 |
Ready to take the next step? Talk to Brevy about your eligibility -- they'll help you figure out where to start.
FAQ
How much does VA Aid and Attendance pay in Texas in 2026?
For 2026, the maximum monthly payment is $2,424 for a single veteran and $2,874 for a veteran with a spouse or child. Surviving spouses can receive up to $1,558/month without dependents or $1,858/month with one dependent. Your actual payment depends on your countable income, with medical expense deductions potentially increasing the amount.
Do I need a VA disability rating to get Aid and Attendance?
No. Aid and Attendance is part of the VA pension program, which is different from disability compensation. If you're 65 or older with qualifying wartime service, that satisfies the age/disability requirement. You do need to show that you require help with daily activities and meet the financial limits.
Can I receive Aid and Attendance and Texas Medicaid at the same time?
Yes. The A&A allowance component is completely exempt from Texas Medicaid eligibility and co-payment calculations. VA pension income (excluding the A&A portion) does count as income for Medicaid purposes. Talk to a Medicaid planning attorney if you're trying to coordinate both benefits.
Where can I get free help applying in Texas?
The Texas Veterans Commission has 294 county service officers who help with VA claims at no cost. Call 1-800-252-8387 or book an appointment at tvc.texas.gov/claims/appointments/. They'll walk you through the entire application process.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "Veterans Pension Rate Table," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "VA Pension Eligibility," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "How to Apply for a VA Pension," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "Survivors Pension Rates," va.gov
- Texas Veterans Commission, tvc.texas.gov
- Texas General Land Office, "Texas State Veterans Homes," glo.texas.gov
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission, "Medicaid for Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook: VA Benefits," hhs.texas.gov
- Medicaid Planning Assistance, "VA Pension with Aid and Attendance," medicaidplanningassistance.org
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Medicaid rules vary by state and change frequently. Always verify eligibility and benefits with your state Medicaid agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.