VA, Aid and Attendance and Housebound allowances

Aid And Attendance Benefits And Housebound Allowance | Veterans Affairs Skip to Content An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely. Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now Pension benefits Get benefits Eligibility How to apply Fully developed claim Apply now Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance Manage benefits Check claim, decision review, or appeal status Request a decision review View VA payment history Change your address Change your VA direct deposit information More resources Veterans Pension rates Past rates: 2025 Past rates: 2024 Past rates: 2023 Protected pension rates Past rates: 2025 Past rates: 2024 Past rates: 2023 VA claim exam (C&P exam) Get help from an accredited representative Fiduciary help In this section Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits provide monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors. If you need help with daily activities, or you’re housebound, find out if you qualify. Am I eligible for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits as a Veteran or survivor? VA Aid and Attendance eligibility You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you meet at least 1 of these requirements. At least 1 of these must be true: You need another person to help you perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing, or You have to stay in bed—or spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness, or You’re a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability, or Your eyesight is limited (even with glasses or contact lenses you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less) Housebound benefits eligibility You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension and you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability (a disability that doesn’t go away). Note: You can’t get Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits at the same time. How do I get this benefit? You can apply for VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits online, by mail, or in person. If you’re in a nursing home , you’ll also need to fill out a Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for Aid and Attendance (VA Form 21-0779). Get VA Form 21-0779 to download Online You can apply for Aid and Attendance benefits or Housebound allowance online now. A medical examiner must fill out the examination information section. By mail Fill out VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance). A medical examiner must fill out the examination information section. Get VA Form 21-2680 to download Mail your completed form to this address: Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Intake Center PO Box 5365 Janesville, WI 53547-5365 In person You can bring your information to a VA regional office near you. Find your nearest VA regional office How long does it take VA to make a decision? It depends. We process claims in the order we receive them, unless a claim requires priority processing. Last updated: May 8, 2026