VA Aid and Attendance rates for 2027 have not been finalized. The Social Security Administration will announce the official cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in October 2026, and VA pension rates always match that percentage exactly. As of mid-2026, independent forecasters project the 2027 COLA somewhere between 2.8% and 4.7%, with the Senior Citizens League's most recent estimate at 3.8%. Based on that range, a veteran alone rated for Aid and Attendance, currently receiving $2,424 a month in 2026, could see a 2027 payment somewhere between roughly $2,491 and $2,538 a month. The numbers below show how each scenario plays out across every Aid and Attendance category.
Why 2027 rates aren't official yet
VA Aid and Attendance is part of the VA Improved Pension program, and Congress requires pension rates to rise by the same percentage as the Social Security COLA every year. That COLA isn't calculated until the Bureau of Labor Statistics finishes collecting Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) data for July, August, and September. The Social Security Administration compares the average of those three months to the same quarter of the prior year, and the percentage difference becomes the COLA for the following January.
Because the calculation depends on Q3 inflation data, nobody, including the VA, knows the exact 2027 number until the Social Security Administration publishes it, typically in the second week of October. New MAPR (Maximum Annual Pension Rate) figures then take effect December 1, 2026, and veterans and survivors see the adjusted amount in their January 2027 payment.
Current 2026 Aid and Attendance rates (the starting point)
Every 2027 projection starts from the confirmed 2026 rates below, which reflect the 2.8% COLA that took effect December 1, 2025.
| Category | 2026 Annual MAPR | 2026 Monthly Amount |
|---|
| Veteran alone | $29,093 | $2,424 |
| Veteran with one dependent | $34,488 | $2,874 |
| Two veterans married to each other (one qualifies for A&A) | $34,488 | $2,874 |
| Two veterans married to each other (both qualify for A&A) | $46,143 | $3,845 |
| Surviving spouse alone | $18,697 | $1,558 |
| Surviving spouse with one dependent child | $22,304 | $1,859 |
These are maximum rates. Your actual monthly VA pension payment equals the MAPR for your category minus your countable annual income, divided by twelve. Most recipients with Social Security or other income receive less than the maximum shown above.
2027 COLA forecast: what economists are projecting
Several organizations track CPI-W trends throughout the year and publish running COLA estimates before the official October announcement. As of July 2026, the range looks like this:
| Source | 2027 COLA Estimate |
|---|
| The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), July update | 3.8% |
| Mary Johnson, independent Social Security and Medicare analyst | up to 4.7% |
| Conservative/low-end estimates | approximately 2.8% to 3.0% |
| 2026 COLA (confirmed, for comparison) | 2.8% |
These estimates move monthly as new inflation data comes in. A cooler-than-expected July, August, or September CPI-W reading would pull the final number toward the low end of this range. Persistent inflation in food, energy, or medical care costs, three categories that carry heavy weight for older Americans and disabled veterans, would push it higher.
Projected 2027 Aid and Attendance monthly rates by scenario
The table below applies four COLA scenarios (2.5%, 3.0%, 3.8%, and 4.5%) to the confirmed 2026 base rates. These are estimates for planning purposes only. The actual 2027 rate could fall outside this range depending on the official COLA announcement in October 2026.
| Category | 2026 Rate | Projected at 2.5% COLA | Projected at 3.0% COLA | Projected at 3.8% COLA | Projected at 4.5% COLA |
|---|
| Veteran alone | $2,424 | $2,485 | $2,497 | $2,516 | $2,533 |
| Veteran with one dependent | $2,874 | $2,946 | $2,960 | $2,983 | $3,003 |
| Two veterans, both A&A | $3,845 | $3,941 | $3,961 | $3,992 | $4,018 |
| Surviving spouse alone | $1,558 | $1,597 | $1,605 | $1,617 | $1,628 |
| Surviving spouse with one dependent | $1,859 | $1,905 | $1,914 | $1,929 | $1,941 |
Under the most-cited current forecast (TSCL's 3.8% estimate), a veteran alone would move from $2,424 to approximately $2,516 a month, an increase of about $92. A veteran with a spouse would move from $2,874 to approximately $2,983, an increase of about $109.
How the VA calculates your actual payment
The MAPR is a ceiling, not a flat payment. The VA subtracts your countable annual income from the MAPR for your category, then divides by 12 to get your monthly benefit.
Basic formula:
MAPR (for your category) - Countable Annual Income = Annual Pension Amount ÷ 12 = Monthly Payment
Countable income includes most retirement income, Social Security, and investment income, but the VA allows you to deduct unreimbursed medical expenses, including the cost of assisted living, in-home care, and Medicare premiums, from your gross income before applying the formula. This deduction is often what pushes veterans and survivors who initially look "over income" into eligibility, and it's a major reason A&A claims require thorough documentation of medical costs.
Who qualifies for Aid and Attendance
Aid and Attendance is an added monetary benefit on top of the VA Improved Pension, not a standalone program. To qualify, you generally need to meet all of the following:
- Wartime service. At least one day of active duty during a VA-recognized wartime period (as of 2026: WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War era), with at least 90 days total active duty (24 months if service began after September 7, 1980, unless discharged earlier for a service-connected disability).
- Discharge status. Other than dishonorable.
- Age or disability. 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled.
- Net worth limit. Countable net worth (assets plus income) under $163,699 for the period from December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026. This figure typically adjusts each year in line with the Social Security COLA, so expect a modest increase for the period beginning December 1, 2026.
- Care need. You require the aid of another person for daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your environment, or you're a patient in a nursing home, or you're blind or nearly blind.
Surviving spouses of veterans who met the wartime service and discharge requirements can also qualify for Aid and Attendance under the Survivors Pension, at the lower rates shown in the tables above.
How to apply
- Gather discharge and marriage documents. DD-214 (or equivalent), marriage certificate if applying as a spouse, and death certificate if applying as a surviving spouse.
- Get a medical statement. VA Form 21-2680 ("Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance") completed by a physician, documenting your specific need for assistance.
- Document income and medical expenses. Bank statements, income records, and receipts or invoices for unreimbursed medical expenses, including assisted living or home care costs.
- File the claim. Submit VA Form 21P-527EZ (veterans) or VA Form 21P-534EZ (surviving spouses) online at VA.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. Many veterans work with an accredited VA claims agent or Veterans Service Organization to prepare the paperwork.
- Wait for the decision. Aid and Attendance claims typically take several months to process. The VA may request additional evidence or schedule a compensation and pension exam.
- Track the effective date. Approved claims are generally paid retroactive to the date the VA received your claim, so filing promptly matters even while gathering supporting documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the official 2027 VA Aid and Attendance rates be announced?
The Social Security Administration typically announces the COLA in the second week of October each year, based on July, August, and September CPI-W data. The 2027 COLA and resulting VA pension rates should be announced in October 2026, effective December 1, 2026, and reflected in the January 2027 payment.
What is the current TSCL projection for the 2027 COLA?
As of the Senior Citizens League's July 2026 update, the projected 2027 COLA is 3.8%, up from the confirmed 2.8% COLA that took effect in 2026. Other analysts have projected figures as high as 4.7%, and the estimate can change monthly as new inflation data is released.
Will the 2027 Aid and Attendance net worth limit change?
The net worth limit for VA pension and Aid and Attendance eligibility adjusts annually along with the COLA. The limit for the period ending November 30, 2026 is $163,699. Expect a modest increase, in line with whatever COLA percentage is announced, for the period starting December 1, 2026.
Does Aid and Attendance increase every year like VA disability compensation?
Yes. Aid and Attendance is part of VA pension, and by law VA pension rates rise by the same percentage as the Social Security COLA each year, the same rule that governs VA disability compensation and Social Security/SSDI/SSI payments.
How much could a married veteran's Aid and Attendance payment increase in 2027?
Using the current 3.8% TSCL projection, a veteran with one dependent would move from $2,874 a month in 2026 to approximately $2,983 a month in 2027, an increase of about $109. If the final COLA lands closer to 2.8% or 3.0%, the increase would be smaller, in the $80 to $86 range.
Can surviving spouses expect the same percentage increase as veterans?
Yes. The Survivors Pension program, which pays Aid and Attendance to eligible surviving spouses, uses the same COLA percentage applied to veteran pension rates. Under the 3.8% scenario, a surviving spouse alone would move from $1,558 to approximately $1,617 a month.
Where can I check the final 2027 rates once they're announced?
The VA publishes updated pension and Aid and Attendance rate tables at va.gov once the Social Security Administration confirms the annual COLA, typically in October, ahead of the December 1 effective date.
