Using VA Aid & Attendance to pay for home care in Houston
VA Aid & Attendance pays up to about $2,795 per month (2026 rates) toward home care for eligible Houston-area veterans and surviving spouses. We coordinate with VA-accredited attorneys and Veteran Service Officers to help you apply — and we start care immediately, because the benefit reimburses retroactively once approved.
Eligibility
- Veteran served at least 90 days of active duty with at least 1 day during a recognized wartime period (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War), OR is the surviving spouse of an eligible veteran who did not remarry
- Not dishonorably discharged
- Requires the aid and attendance of another person (help with ADLs) OR is housebound
- Meets income and asset limits (net worth limit ~$155,000 in 2026, income minus medical expenses under a threshold)
- Medical evidence of need (physician statement)
What it covers
- Up to $2,795/month for a single veteran (2026)
- Up to $3,320/month for a married veteran
- Up to $1,795/month for a surviving spouse
- Applied toward the cost of a home caregiver, assisted living, or nursing home
- Not an insurance — the veteran or family receives the pension payment and pays the caregiver
How we help
- 01Free eligibility screening — we walk through the service dates, wartime period, ADL needs, and asset situation to give you an honest yes/no/maybe
- 02Referral to a VA-accredited attorney or Veterans Service Officer (there's no fee for the accredited attorney under VA rules — beware anyone charging upfront)
- 03Physician-statement coordination — we work with your Houston physician to complete VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance)
- 04Care started immediately if needed — the benefit reimburses retroactively from the application filing date, so no time is lost
- 05Ongoing eligibility reviews as circumstances change
Common questions
How long does VA Aid & Attendance take to approve for a Houston veteran?
Typical timeline is 4 to 8 months. Complex cases take longer. Because the benefit pays retroactively from the application filing date, families often start care immediately and the eventual benefit reimburses those first months of out-of-pocket.
My father is a Korean War veteran but has too much money — does he still qualify?
Maybe. The 2026 net-worth limit is roughly $155,000 (not counting the primary residence, one vehicle, and personal property). Medical expenses reduce countable income. A VA-accredited attorney can restructure certain assets legally to establish eligibility. We refer you at no cost.
Can a surviving spouse qualify for VA Aid & Attendance in Houston?
Yes. A surviving spouse who has not remarried, whose deceased veteran spouse met the service requirements, and who meets the medical and financial thresholds, is eligible for up to $1,795/month (2026). This is one of the most underused VA benefits — many surviving spouses don't know they qualify.
Do you work with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston?
We coordinate with the DeBakey VA and with local Veterans Service Officers regularly. Our caregivers work in veteran homes across Houston, from the Galleria and Memorial to the Medical Center corridor and beyond.
The bottom line
If your parent (or you) served during a recognized wartime period and now needs help with daily activities, the VA Aid & Attendance benefit is very likely available and materially underutilized. A free 20-minute call with us tells you whether to apply, and we handle the coordination if you do.