Veterans & Military · Surprise rank #45
Wartime Veterans: Add Up to $2,300/Month to Your Pension Just for Needing Help at Home
The VA Aid and Attendance pension enhancement provides extra monthly cash to wartime veterans or surviving spouses who require help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Who
Pension-eligible wartime veterans and eligible surviving spouses who meet care or housebound criteria.
What to do
Start here: File VA Form 21-2680 with a pension claim or ask a VA-accredited representative to screen eligibility.
Eligibility: Must qualify for VA pension and meet Aid and Attendance or Housebound medical criteria.
What you get
Eligible wartime veterans or surviving spouses receiving a VA pension may qualify for a higher monthly payment because they need daily help or are housebound.
Benefit: An added monthly amount on top of a qualifying VA pension.
Possible value: Potentially thousands of dollars per year; amount depends on pension status, income and household.
Good to know
Important: It is not available to every veteran and does not directly employ the caregiver; income/net-worth rules apply.
Availability: Year-round.
Why people miss it: It is often marketed as a freestanding caregiver grant, which hides the underlying pension and financial tests.
Sources reviewed: Aug 2, 2026