VA pension: eligibility, how the amount is worked out and 2026 rates

VA pension is a tax-free monthly benefit for wartime Veterans who are 65 or older or have a qualifying disability, and whose income and net worth are within limits. Surviving spouses and some children may qualify too. Aid and Attendance and Housebound are add-ons that raise the amount.

Carevo does not decide eligibility. Use this page to see the rules, then confirm with VA or an accredited representative.

Who qualifies for Veterans Pension

VA.gov lists three groups of requirements. You must meet all of the first and at least one of each of the others.

Discharge and money

• You did not receive a dishonorable discharge.
• Your yearly family income and net worth are within limits set by Congress.

Service (at least one)

• You entered active duty before September 8, 1980, served at least 90 days, and had at least one day during a wartime period.
• You entered as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or your full called-up period, including at least one wartime day, with some exceptions.
• You were an officer who entered active duty after October 16, 1981, and had not previously served 24 months or more with a wartime day.

Age or disability (at least one)

• You are 65 or older.
• You have a permanent and total disability.
• You are a long-term nursing home patient because of a disability.
• You receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.

If you received an other than honorable, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, VA.gov says you may not be eligible, and you may apply for a discharge upgrade or request a Character of Discharge review.

Survivors Pension

A surviving spouse may be eligible if they have not remarried, the Veteran did not receive a dishonorable discharge and met the service requirements, family income and net worth are within limits, and the spouse lived with the Veteran from marriage until the Veteran's death, with some exceptions for recognized separations. A higher payment may be available with a child under 18, a child aged 18 to 23 in school, or an adult child permanently incapable of self-support. Unmarried children may qualify in certain cases, such as being under 18 or under 23 in a VA-approved school.

How the amount is worked out

VA bases your payment on the difference between your income for VA purposes and the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR). Your MAPR depends on your dependents, your marital status and whether you qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance. Your income includes Social Security, investment and retirement payments and dependents' income. Some expenses, such as non-reimbursable medical expenses, can lower it, but only the part above 5% of the MAPR counts.

VA's net worth limit is $163,699 for the period it lists. Net worth counts personal property, excluding your house, car and most home furnishings, minus debts, and your spouse's net worth.

2026 maximum annual rates

Rates reflect a 2.8% cost-of-living increase effective December 1, 2025. They are maximums.

Household	Basic	Housebound	Aid and Attendance
Veteran, no dependents	$17,441	$21,313	$29,093
Veteran with one dependent	$22,839	$26,710	$34,488
Surviving spouse, no dependents	$11,699	$14,298	$18,697
Surviving spouse with one child	$15,311	$17,902	$22,304

Each additional dependent child adds $2,984. Read about the add-on on VA Aid and Attendance.

How to apply

Gather your Social Security number, VA file number if you have one, and military, marital and work history. You will need your household gross monthly income, household asset value and unreimbursed medical expenses. If you are under 65 you need to submit a copy of your medical records.

You can apply in any of five ways: online, by uploading VA Form 21P-527EZ through QuickSubmit, by mail to the Pension Intake Center, in person at a VA regional office, or with help from a trained professional. VA.gov says you can work with an accredited attorney, claims agent or Veterans Service Organization representative. VA processes claims in the order received.

After the pension

VA pension does not replace other ways to pay for care. See VA help paying for care, Medicaid, long-term care insurance and private pay. If care at home is the goal, browse home care or tell us what you need.