Maryland VA Aid and Attendance: Eligibility, Rates & Application

VA Aid and Attendance Benefit in Maryland 2026: Eligibility, Rates & How to Apply

VA Aid and Attendance in Maryland pays eligible wartime veterans up to $2,424 per month** (single) or **$2,874 per month (married with care needs) in 2026. Surviving spouses can receive up to $1,558 per month**. You must qualify for a VA pension first, need help with daily activities, and have net worth below **$163,699. Apply with VA Form 21-2680 through the Pension Intake Center or online at VA.gov. Maryland’s Baltimore VA Regional Office at 31 Hopkins Plaza can assist in person.

Quick Facts

What Is VA Aid and Attendance?

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) is a tax-free monthly cash benefit added to a VA pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need regular help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding, or dressing. It is not a separate program — it is a supplement that increases the monthly pension amount for those who qualify. You cannot receive A&A without first qualifying for the underlying VA pension.

The benefit is designed for veterans and surviving spouses who need assistance from another person to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), are bedridden, reside in a nursing home due to disability, or have severely limited eyesight. A&A helps cover costs for in-home care, assisted living, and nursing home care. The veteran or surviving spouse chooses the care provider — the benefit is not tied to VA-approved facilities.

Why this matters for Maryland veterans: Maryland has approximately 380,000 veterans, many of whom are aging and may need long-term care. The average cost of assisted living in Maryland exceeds $5,000 per month, and in-home care averages $25–$30 per hour. A&A can cover 68–85 hours of personal care per month at the maximum single veteran rate — meaningful support for families trying to keep a loved one safe at home.

What veterans should do next: If you already receive a VA pension and your care needs have increased, you may qualify for an A&A increase. Contact your VA pension management center or the Baltimore VA Regional Office to request a re-evaluation.

2026 VA Aid and Attendance Rates for Maryland Veterans

The 2026 A&A rates took effect December 1, 2025, following a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment. The VA publishes Maximum Annual Pension Rates (MAPR) that set the ceiling for pension payments, including A&A. Your actual payment depends on your countable income and unreimbursed medical expenses.

2026 Monthly Aid and Attendance Rates

These figures represent the maximum monthly payment at zero countable income. The VA subtracts your countable income from the MAPR to determine your actual payment. Unreimbursed medical expenses — including Medicare premiums, prescription copays, health insurance premiums, and care costs — reduce your countable income, often making veterans eligible even when their gross income appears too high.

Example: A single Maryland veteran receives $1,800 per month in Social Security and has $2,200 per month in unreimbursed medical expenses. The VA subtracts allowable medical expenses from income, resulting in zero countable income. The veteran would receive the full $2,424 monthly A&A rate.

What veterans should do next: Gather documentation of all recurring medical expenses before applying. Medical expenses can be the difference between a denial and approval.

Who Qualifies for VA Aid and Attendance in Maryland?

You qualify for A&A in Maryland if you meet all four of these criteria simultaneously:

1. Military Service Requirements

• At least 90 days of active duty service

• At least one day during a recognized wartime period (World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, or Gulf War era)

• Honorable or general discharge (dishonorable discharge disqualifies)

• Combat service is not required

2. VA Pension Eligibility

You must first qualify for a VA pension. The VA pension is a needs-based benefit for wartime veterans who are age 65 or older or have a permanent and total non-service-connected disability. You cannot receive A&A without qualifying for the basic pension first.

3. Medical Need

At least one of the following must be true:

• You need another person to help you perform daily activities like bathing, feeding, and dressing

• You must stay in bed — or spend a large portion of the day in bed — because of illness

• You are a patient in a nursing home due to loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability

• Your eyesight is limited to 5/200 or less in both eyes, even with glasses or contact lenses, or you have concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less

4. Financial Requirements

Do Surviving Spouses Qualify?

Yes. Un-remarried surviving spouses of wartime veterans may qualify for Survivors Pension with A&A. The surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran for at least one year, and the veteran must have met the wartime service requirements. The 2026 maximum monthly rate for a surviving spouse with A&A is $1,558.

Housebound vs. Aid and Attendance

Important: You cannot receive A&A and Housebound benefits at the same time. If you qualify for both, the VA pays the higher rate.

What veterans should do next: If you receive a VA pension but have not been evaluated for A&A, request a medical examination using VA Form 21-2680. Your primary care provider can complete the examination section.

Income Limits and How the VA Counts Your Money

The VA uses a Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) system, not a hard income cutoff. This distinction is critical — many Maryland veterans assume they earn too much to qualify, but unreimbursed medical expenses can reduce countable income to zero.

How Countable Income Is Calculated

What Counts as Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

• Medicare Part A, B, C, and D premiums

• Medigap premiums

• Prescription medication copays

• Over-the-counter medications prescribed by a physician

• Health insurance premiums

• Dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses

• Transportation for medical care

• In-home care costs

• Assisted living and nursing home costs (non-reimbursed portions)

Example: A Maryland veteran’s gross annual income is $36,000. Medicare premiums total $2,200 per year. Prescription copays total $1,800. In-home care costs $18,000 per year. Total unreimbursed medical expenses: $22,000. Countable income after medical expenses: $14,000. The 2026 MAPR for a single veteran with A&A is $29,093. The veteran qualifies for the full $2,424 monthly rate.

What veterans should do next: Keep receipts and statements for all medical expenses. The VA will not automatically know your expenses — you must document them. Work with an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or Maryland Veterans Commission representative to build your income documentation.

Maryland State Benefits for A&A Recipients

Maryland offers several state-level benefits that complement VA Aid and Attendance. These are administered by the state, not the VA.

Property Tax Exemption

Maryland offers a 100% property tax exemption on the legal residence of veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA. The exemption covers the dwelling house and surrounding yard. Veterans may apply at any time and are not subject to the standard September 1 filing deadline.

Surviving spouses of veterans who died in active service from a line-of-duty injury or disease may also qualify for the exemption. A disabled active-duty service member whose disability is reasonably certain to continue for life may qualify as well.

Note: This exemption applies to veterans with a 100% permanent and total disability rating, not to all A&A recipients. Veterans rated 100% permanent and total are often also eligible for A&A, but the two benefits have different eligibility criteria.

Maryland Veterans Trust Fund

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families administers the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, which provides grants to veterans and family members experiencing temporary financial difficulties. In a recent calendar year, the fund disbursed more than $302,000 through individual grants to support 52 Maryland military households.

Assistance is one-time and not designed to address chronic financial difficulties. The trust fund can help with housing, utilities, and other essential needs while a veteran awaits VA benefit decisions.

Military Retirement Income Tax Subtraction

Maryland allows a $10,000 subtraction for military retirement income for taxpayers age 65 and older. This reduces state taxable income for retired military veterans receiving pensions.

Maryland Property Tax Credit — Legislative Changes

Recent Maryland legislation has expanded eligibility for property tax exemptions for disabled veterans. House Bill 1482 and Senate Bill 980, effective June 2026, extend eligibility to veterans with nonpermanent 100% service-connected disabilities resulting from blindness or other disabling causes. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

What veterans should do next: Contact the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families or your county assessor’s office to determine which state benefits you qualify for. The Baltimore VA Regional Office can also provide guidance on coordinating federal and state benefits.

How to Apply for VA Aid and Attendance in Maryland

Applying for A&A involves four steps. The process is paperwork-intensive, and incomplete applications are the most common cause of delays lasting months or longer.

Step 1: File an Intent to File

Before gathering all documentation, file an Intent to File through VA.gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000. An approved Intent to File locks in your filing date. If you submit the full application within one year, approved benefits will be retroactive to the Intent to File date rather than the date the completed packet arrives. This can mean thousands of dollars in back pay.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Step 3: Complete VA Form 21-2680

VA Form 21-2680 is the primary form for A&A claims. A medical examiner — physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or clinical nurse specialist — must complete the examination information section. The form documents your functional limitations and care needs. The form revision date is June 2026.

If the claimant is in a nursing home, the nursing home official completes VA Form 21-0779 instead of the medical examination section.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Online: Apply through VA.gov using the online A&A application tool. This is the fastest submission method and can reduce processing time.

By mail: Send completed forms to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365

In person: Visit the Baltimore VA Regional Office at 31 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The National Capital Regional Office in Washington, D.C. (1722 I Street NW) also serves Maryland veterans in the D.C. metro area.

What veterans should do next: Consider working with an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO). The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families offers free benefits assistance and can help you complete the application correctly the first time.

Processing Times and Payment

A&A claims are processed by the VA Pension Management Center that serves Maryland. Processing typically takes 60 to 120 days, though the full range can extend from 4 weeks to 12 months depending on claim complexity and VA backlog.

Current Processing Reality

Retroactive Payments

Approved benefits are retroactive to the date the VA receives your application — or to your Intent to File date if that was filed first. If your claim takes 9 months to process, you will receive a lump-sum back payment for those 9 months, followed by monthly payments.

Payment Method

A&A payments are deposited directly into the veteran’s or surviving spouse’s bank account, the same way Social Security is paid. The VA requires direct deposit. Set up direct deposit through VA.gov or by submitting VA Form 10091.

What veterans should do next: File your Intent to File immediately, even if you are still gathering documentation. This locks in your effective date. Do not wait until you have everything ready — the Intent to File costs nothing and protects your back pay.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Deny Maryland A&A Claims

1. Assuming you need a VA disability rating to qualify. Many A&A-eligible veterans have no disability rating. Wartime-era service and age or health status are often sufficient. A&A is a pension benefit, not a disability compensation benefit.

2. Believing your income is too high. Unreimbursed medical expenses reduce countable income. Many veterans who appear to exceed the MAPR qualify once medical expenses are documented. Do not self-disqualify.

3. Submitting an incomplete VA Form 21-2680. The medical examination section must be completed by a qualified medical examiner. Forms with blank sections are returned, causing months of delay. Ensure the examiner completes every section and signs the form.

4. Not filing an Intent to File first. Without an Intent to File, your effective date is the date the VA receives your complete application. With an Intent to File, your effective date is locked in earlier. This can mean thousands of dollars in back pay.

5. Forgetting to document all medical expenses. The VA will not automatically know your Medicare premiums, prescription copays, or in-home care costs. You must document every expense. Missing expenses can push your countable income above the MAPR and result in denial.

6. Assuming A&A and Housebound can be combined. You cannot receive both benefits at the same time. If you qualify for both, the VA pays the higher rate.

7. Confusing A&A with VA health care or VA disability compensation. A&A is a pension supplement. It is separate from VA health care enrollment and separate from VA disability compensation. You can receive A&A and VA health care simultaneously, but they have different eligibility rules.

8. Not reporting asset transfers. The VA has a 36-month lookback for asset transfers. If you transferred assets within the past three years, the VA may impose a penalty period during which you are not eligible for A&A.

What veterans should do next: Work with an accredited VSO or Maryland Veterans Commission representative before applying. They can review your documentation and catch mistakes before submission.

Denials, Appeals, and Reconsideration

If your A&A claim is denied, you have options. The VA denial notice will explain the reason and your appeal rights.

Common Denial Reasons

• Medical evidence does not clearly describe daily limitations

• Countable income exceeds the MAPR

• Net worth exceeds the limit

• Asset transfers within the 36-month lookback period created a penalty

• Incomplete VA Form 21-2680

• Veteran did not qualify for the underlying VA pension

Appeal Options

Effective Dates on Appeal

If you file a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review within one year of the decision, and the appeal is granted, the effective date remains the original filing date. This preserves your back pay.

What veterans should do next: If your claim is denied, request a copy of your claims file (also called a C-file) to understand the basis for the decision. Contact a Veterans Service Officer for free assistance with your appeal. The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families can connect you with an accredited representative.

Key Takeaways

• VA Aid and Attendance is a pension supplement, not a separate benefit. You must qualify for a VA pension first.

• **2026 rates: $2,424/month for a single veteran**, $2,874/month for a married veteran with care needs, $1,558/month for a surviving spouse with A&A.

• The net worth limit is $163,699 (Dec. 1, 2025 – Nov. 30, 2026). Primary residence and one vehicle are excluded.

• Unreimbursed medical expenses reduce countable income, often making veterans eligible even when gross income exceeds the MAPR.

• You must need help with daily activities, be bedridden, reside in a nursing home due to disability, or have severely limited eyesight.

• File an Intent to File immediately to lock in your effective date for retroactive back pay.

• VA Form 21-2680 is the primary application form. A medical examiner must complete the examination section.

• Processing takes 60–120 days typically, but can extend to 12 months. Benefits are retroactive to the filing date.

• Maryland offers a 100% property tax exemption for veterans rated 100% permanent and total disabled.

• The Baltimore VA Regional Office at 31 Hopkins Plaza provides in-person assistance. The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families offers free benefits help.

Common Questions

What is VA Aid and Attendance in Maryland?
VA Aid and Attendance is a tax-free monthly cash benefit added to a VA pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating. It helps pay for in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care. The veteran chooses the provider.

How much does VA Aid and Attendance pay in 2026?
In 2026, a single veteran with A&A receives up to $2,424 per month. A married veteran with care needs receives up to $2,874 per month. A surviving spouse with A&A receives up to $1,558 per month. Actual payments depend on countable income after medical expense deductions.

Who qualifies for VA Aid and Attendance in Maryland?
You must have served at least 90 days of active duty with one day during wartime, qualify for a VA pension, need help with daily activities, and have net worth below $163,699. Combat service is not required. Surviving spouses may also qualify.

What is the net worth limit for A&A in 2026?
The net worth limit is $163,699 from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026. This includes assets plus countable annual income. Your primary residence and one vehicle are excluded from the calculation.

How do I apply for VA Aid and Attendance in Maryland?
File VA Form 21-2680 with a completed medical examination section. Apply online at VA.gov, by mail to the VA Pension Intake Center in Janesville, WI, or in person at the Baltimore VA Regional Office, 31 Hopkins Plaza. File an Intent to File first to lock in your effective date.

What is VA Form 21-2680?
VA Form 21-2680 is the Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance. A medical examiner — physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or clinical nurse specialist — must complete the examination section. The form revision date is June 2026.

How long does A&A processing take?
Processing typically takes 60 to 120 days, but can extend to 6–12 months depending on claim complexity and VA backlog. Incomplete applications are the most common cause of delays. Benefits are retroactive to your filing date or Intent to File date.

Can I get A&A if I don’t have a VA disability rating?
Yes. Many A&A-eligible veterans have no VA disability rating. A&A is a pension benefit, not a disability compensation benefit. Wartime service and age or health status are often sufficient to qualify.

Does Maryland offer additional benefits for A&A recipients?
Maryland offers a 100% property tax exemption for veterans rated 100% permanent and total disabled. The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund provides one-time grants for temporary financial difficulties. Military retirement income up to $10,000 is tax-subtracted for taxpayers age 65 and older.

Can surviving spouses get A&A in Maryland?
Yes. Un-remarried surviving spouses of wartime veterans may qualify for Survivors Pension with A&A. The 2026 maximum rate is $1,558 per month. The surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran for at least one year and meet income and net worth limits.

What if my A&A claim is denied?
You can file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, request a Higher-Level Review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Filing within one year of the decision preserves your original effective date for back pay. Contact a Veterans Service Officer for free assistance.

Where can I get help with my A&A application in Maryland?
The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families offers free benefits assistance. The Baltimore VA Regional Office at 31 Hopkins Plaza provides in-person help Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Accredited Veterans Service Officers with DAV, American Legion, and VFW also provide free assistance.

Official Resources

• VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits — va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound

• VA Pension Rates — va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates

• VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status) — va.gov/forms/21-2680

• VA Form 21-0779 (Request for Nursing Home Information) — va.gov/forms/21-0779

• VA Form 21P-527EZ (Veterans Pension Application) — va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21p-527ez

• Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families — veterans.maryland.gov

• Baltimore VA Regional Office — 31 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201; (800) 827-1000

• VA Pension Management Center — PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365

• Maryland Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans — maryland.gov

• VA Intent to File — va.gov/decision-reviews/intent-to-file

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