Last verified: March 2026. Benefit rates and rules can change. Check the VA pension rates page and the Texas Veterans Commission for the latest details.
Key Takeaways
- Texas veterans 65 and older can qualify for VA pension and Aid and Attendance benefits paying up to $2,874/month, and you don't need a disability rating
- The 2026 net worth limit is $163,699, but your home, one car, and household goods don't count
- VA health care copays range from $0 to $15 per primary care visit depending on your priority group
- Texas runs 10 state veterans homes and has 294 county service officers who help with VA claims for free
- Disabled veterans can get property tax exemptions from $5,000 up to a full exemption at 100% disability
In This Guide
- What Benefits Are Available?
- VA Pension and Aid and Attendance
- VA Health Care
- Long-Term Care and Caregiver Support
- Texas-Specific Benefits
- How to Apply
- FAQ
If you're looking into Texas VA benefits elderly veterans can use, there's more available than most people realize. Between federal VA programs and Texas-specific perks, a veteran 65 or older could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table every month. This guide covers the major VA benefits for seniors in Texas: who qualifies, what they pay, and how to get started with veteran benefits in Texas for 2026. 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 Veterans 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.
Texas VA Benefits Elderly: What Can You Claim in 2026?
Texas has the second-largest veteran population in the country, and the state backs that up with strong support. Here's what an older veteran or surviving spouse may be able to claim:
- Monthly cash payments through VA pension, Aid and Attendance, or Housebound benefits
- Free or low-cost health care through the VA health care system
- Long-term care including nursing homes, home health aides, and geriatric programs
- Property tax exemptions based on disability rating
- Free claims help from 294 Texas Veterans Commission county service officers
VA Pension and Aid and Attendance
The VA pension is a monthly payment for wartime veterans with limited income. Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an enhanced pension rate for veterans who need help with daily activities. For many elderly veterans, this is the single largest monthly benefit available.
Who Qualifies?
There are four parts to eligibility.
Wartime service. At least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a qualifying wartime period: WWII (1941-1946), Korea (1950-1955), Vietnam (1955/1964-1975), or the Gulf War (August 2, 1990 to present). Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980 need 24 months of active duty or the full period they were called. Discharge must be under conditions other than dishonorable.
Age or disability. You must be 65 or older, have a permanent and total disability, be in a nursing home, or be receiving SSDI or SSI. If you're 65+, age alone satisfies this requirement. No disability rating needed.
Care needs (for the A&A rate). The veteran must need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating, be bedridden, be in a nursing home due to disability, or have corrected eyesight of 5/200 or worse in both eyes. A veteran can't receive both A&A and Housebound benefits at the same time.
Finances. Net worth must be below $163,699, which includes countable assets and annual income for both you and your spouse. Your home (up to 2 acres of land), one vehicle, and household goods don't count. Savings, investments, IRAs, and vacation properties do count.
2026 Benefit Rates
Aid and Attendance rates reflect a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for the period December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026.
| Situation | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents | $2,424 |
| Veteran with spouse or child | $2,874 |
| Two veterans married, both qualifying | $3,845 |
| Each additional dependent | +$249 |
Housebound benefits are for veterans who spend most of their time at home because of a permanent disability. The rates are lower than A&A: $1,776/month for a single veteran or $2,226/month with a dependent.
Surviving spouses can receive up to $1,558/month (A&A, no dependents) or $1,858/month with one dependent.
How Your Payment Is Calculated
The VA doesn't pay the same amount to everyone. Your monthly payment equals the maximum rate minus your countable annual income, divided by 12.
Example: A single veteran with $18,000/year in Social Security would get roughly ($29,093 - $18,000) / 12 = $924/month.
But here's what most families miss: unreimbursed medical expenses above 5% of the maximum rate reduce your countable income. That includes home health aide costs, assisted living charges, nursing home fees, insurance premiums, and prescriptions. A married veteran paying $36,000/year for assisted living could see their countable income drop to $0, qualifying for the full $2,874/month.
Gather every medical receipt before you file. The families who get the highest payments document every qualifying expense.
Not sure if you qualify? Chat with Brevy to check your eligibility -- it takes a few minutes.
VA Health Care for Texas Seniors
Separate from the pension, the VA runs its own health care system. If you served on active duty and received anything other than a dishonorable discharge, you likely qualify. Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980 generally need 24 months of service.
Priority Groups and Copays
The VA places enrolled veterans into 1 of 8 priority groups that determine what you'll pay. For elderly veterans, the most relevant groups are:
- Group 1 (50%+ disability): No copays for any care
- Group 4 (A&A or Housebound recipients): Enhanced access
- Group 5 (VA pension or low income): Reduced copays
For veterans with copays, primary care visits run $15, specialty care $50, and prescriptions $5 to $11 per 30-day supply with a $700 annual cap. X-rays, lab work, and preventive care are free for everyone.
How to Enroll
Apply using VA Form 10-10EZ online at va.gov, by phone at 877-222-8387 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET), by mail, or in person at a VA medical center. Bring your DD-214, Social Security number, insurance cards (including Medicare), and household income information. Decisions typically come within one week.
Want to see if your family is eligible? Start a free eligibility check with Brevy -- no paperwork needed.
Long-Term Care and Caregiver Support
When a veteran needs more than occasional doctor visits, the VA has several long-term care options.
VA Long-Term Care Services
The VA provides care through multiple settings: Community Living Centers (VA nursing homes), home-based primary care, homemaker and home health aide services, adult day health care, and skilled home health care through contracted agencies. Eligibility requires VA health care enrollment and a clinical need for the service.
The VA also runs specialized geriatric programs. GeriPACT (Geriatric Patient Aligned Care Teams) are available at roughly two-thirds of VA medical centers and focus on keeping older veterans independent and out of the hospital. Gerofit exercise programs and Whole Health wellness programs are also available.
Texas State Veterans Homes
Texas operates 10 state veterans homes through the Veterans Land Board, with locations in Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, Fort Worth, Houston, McAllen, Temple, and Tyler. These homes offer skilled nursing care to veterans, spouses, unremarried surviving spouses, and Gold Star parents.
Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability can generally live in these homes for free. For others, costs are income-based. Services include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, plus equine, art, music, and pet therapy.
Family Caregiver Program
The VA's family caregiver program (PCAFC) provides support to caregivers of veterans with 70%+ disability who need at least 6 months of in-person personal care. Benefits include a monthly stipend, CHAMPVA health insurance for the caregiver, 30+ days of annual respite care, mental health counseling, and legal and financial planning help. Apply using VA Form 10-10CG.
Texas-Specific Benefits and Resources
Beyond federal VA programs, Texas offers several state-level benefits.
Property Tax Exemptions
Texas provides property tax exemptions for disabled veterans based on disability rating.
| Disability Rating | Exemption |
|---|---|
| 10-29% | $5,000 |
| 30-49% | $7,500 |
| 50-69% | $10,000 |
| 70-99% | $12,000 |
| 100% (or unemployability) | Full exemption |
Surviving spouses who don't remarry may also qualify. Apply at your county Tax Appraisal Office with a VA award letter.
Hazlewood Act and VLB Loans
The Hazlewood Act provides up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at Texas public colleges and universities. The Veterans Land Board also offers low-interest loans for home purchases, land, and home improvements.
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)
The TVC provides free claims assistance through 294 county veteran service officers across the state. They'll help you complete the application, gather documents, and prepare the medical statements your doctor needs to fill out.
Calling your county service officer before starting the application is one of the smartest moves you can make. They know which mistakes cause delays and which documents the VA is likely to ask for. Most families who go through a service officer avoid at least one round of back-and-forth with the VA.
Additional aging services for Texas veterans include Area Agencies on Aging (800-292-9240) for benefits counseling and in-home services, and Aging & Disability Resource Centers (855-937-2372) for long-term care planning.
Have questions about your situation? Ask Brevy -- it's free and takes a few minutes.
How to Apply for VA Benefits in Texas
VA Pension (Including A&A and Housebound)
Veterans file VA Form 21P-527EZ; surviving spouses use VA Form 21P-534EZ. For Aid and Attendance, you'll also need VA Form 21-2680, which your doctor fills out to document the need for daily help.
You can file online at va.gov, by PDF upload through AccessVA QuickSubmit, by mail to the VA Pension Intake Center (PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365), in person at a VA regional office, or through a representative like a VSO or accredited attorney.
You'll need your DD-214, Social Security number, income and asset documentation, proof of unreimbursed medical expenses, and medical records if you're under 65.
File an Intent to File first. This locks in your effective date for retroactive payments while you gather your documents. Skipping this step can cost you months of back pay.
Key Contacts
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| VA Benefits Hotline | 1-800-827-1000 |
| Texas Veterans Commission | 1-800-252-8387 |
| TVC Claims Appointments | tvc.texas.gov/claims/appointments/ |
| Veterans Crisis Line | 988, press 1 |
| Texas GLO (State Veterans Homes) | 1-800-998-4456 |
| Area Agencies on Aging | 800-292-9240 |
| Aging & Disability Resource Centers | 855-937-2372 |
FAQ
What VA benefits can elderly Texas veterans get in 2026?
Veterans 65 and older in Texas can access VA pension (including Aid and Attendance up to $2,874/month and Housebound benefits up to $2,226/month), VA health care, long-term care services, property tax exemptions, and free claims assistance through the Texas Veterans Commission. The specific benefits you qualify for depend on your service history, income, disability status, and care needs.
Do I need a disability rating to get VA pension or Aid and Attendance?
No. If you're 65 or older with qualifying wartime service, age alone satisfies the disability requirement. You do need to meet the income and net worth limits ($163,699 for 2026) and, for Aid and Attendance specifically, show that you need help with daily activities.
Where can I get free help applying for VA benefits in Texas?
The Texas Veterans Commission has 294 county service officers who help with VA claims at no charge. Call 1-800-252-8387 or book an appointment at tvc.texas.gov/claims/appointments/. They'll walk you through the entire process from paperwork to submission.
Can Texas veterans get free nursing home care?
Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability can generally live in one of Texas's 10 state veterans homes for free. For others, costs are income-based. The VA also operates Community Living Centers at some medical centers, where copays depend on disability status and income.
Ready to take the next step? Talk to Brevy about your eligibility -- they'll help you figure out where to start.
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, "VA Health Care Eligibility," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "Priority Groups," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "VA Health Care Copay Rates," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "Long-Term Care," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "Geriatrics and Extended Care," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers," va.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, "Survivors Pension Rates," va.gov
- Texas Veterans Commission, "55+ Benefits," tvc.texas.gov
- Texas General Land Office, "Texas State Veterans Homes," glo.texas.gov
- Texas Comptroller, "Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans," comptroller.texas.gov
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.