Current maximum rates
Rates below reflect the cost-of-living increase effective December 1, 2025 (VA, Veterans Pension Rates; VA, Survivors Pension Rates):
Veteran, no dependents: up to $29,093/year (≈$2,424/month) ·
Veteran with one dependent (e.g., spouse): up to $34,488/year (≈$2,874/month) ·
Surviving spouse, no dependent child: up to $18,697/year (≈$1,558/month) ·
Net worth limit (Dec. 1, 2025–Nov. 30, 2026): $163,699
Eligibility and how to apply
A claimant must already receive a VA pension and meet at least one of: needing another person's help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding, or dressing; being confined to bed for a large part of the day due to illness; being a nursing home patient due to a disability-related loss of mental or physical ability; or having vision no better than 5/200 in both eyes (VA). Applications can be filed online, by mail using VA Form 21-2680, or in person. Florida's regional benefit office is the St. Petersburg VA Regional Benefit Office, 9500 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 33744 (VA, St. Petersburg Regional Office).
Free claims help is available statewide through the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs' State Veterans' Service Officers (co-located with the Bay Pines regional office, each VA Medical Center, and many outpatient clinics, at (727) 319-7440) and through a network of County Veteran Service Offices (FDVA, Claims).
Florida's nine State Veterans' Homes
The Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs operates eight skilled nursing facilities and one assisted living facility, all licensed by AHCA and inspected annually by both AHCA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: in Lake City (assisted living), Daytona Beach, Land O' Lakes, Pembroke Pines, Panama City, Port Charlotte, St. Augustine, Port St. Lucie, and Orlando (FDVA, State Veterans' Homes).
How Aid & Attendance is treated for Florida Medicaid
This coordination detail matters for families weighing both benefits: Florida DCF policy excludes the Aid and Attendance portion and any Housebound allowance from countable income when determining eligibility for long-term care Medicaid, while the base VA pension amount is counted (DCF ESS Program Policy Manual, §1840.0906.02; consistent at the rule level in Fla. Admin. Code R. 65A-1.713). This means the award letter must break out the A&A portion specifically — DCF verifies the split directly with the VA. For the underlying national mechanics of this benefit, see the VA Aid & Attendance pillar page.
Not mutually exclusive. Most families combine two or three funding pillars — this one rarely stands alone.
The
Journey Assessment ranks all ten pillars against your specific situation and
recommends the top three.
