By James Whitaker, LSW · June 20, 2026
What Aid & Attendance is
Aid & Attendance is an enhancement to the VA pension for wartime veterans (and their surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities. In 2026 it can add well over a thousand dollars a month toward the cost of care, and many South Florida communities accept the payment directly. It's one of the most underused benefits we see.
Who qualifies
Generally the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a defined wartime period, received an other-than-dishonorable discharge, and meet income/asset limits (with a look-back period on asset transfers). The applicant must also need assistance with activities of daily living or be otherwise housebound. Surviving spouses who haven't remarried may qualify too.
How to apply in Florida
Applications go through the VA, and an accredited Veterans Service Officer (available free through county Veterans Services offices across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach) can help prepare a strong claim. Gather the DD-214, marriage and medical records, and a clear statement of care needs. Avoid paid "benefit consultants" who charge for what a VSO does free.
Combining it with other help
Aid & Attendance often pairs with private pay and, later, Florida SMMC Medicaid. We help veterans' families find communities that accept the VA payment and build a funding plan that lasts. Start on our contact page — and thank you for your family's service.
Avoiding pension-poaching and getting real help
Because Aid & Attendance is valuable and underused, it has attracted bad actors — "free benefit seminars" that steer veterans into financial products, or consultants who charge hefty fees to file a claim that a County Veterans Service Officer will prepare for free. Accredited VSOs in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach are the right starting point: they know the current income and asset limits, the three-year look-back on transfers, and how to document the need for assistance so the claim is approved the first time. Be wary of anyone who pressures you to move assets into an annuity or trust to "qualify" — that can disqualify a veteran from Medicaid later and isn't always in the family's interest. Gather the DD-214, marriage and medical records, and a clear statement of daily care needs before you file. Once approved, the benefit can be paid alongside private funds and later coordinated with Florida Medicaid. We help veterans' families find South Florida communities that accept the VA payment directly and build a plan that keeps the benefit working for years.