Aid & Attendance and Housebound Benefits
Required Forms
Aid & Attendance eligibility
- A factual need for regular is evaluated under 38 CFR § 3.352(a): the personal functions the claimant cannot perform and the overall need for assistance, including protection from daily hazards. There is no universal two-activity minimum, and the need need not be constant.
- OR: bedridden — confined to bed because of disability.
- OR: residing in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity.
- OR: blindness defined as 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5° or less.
Housebound eligibility
- A single permanent disability rated at 100% plus an additional disability rated at 60% or higher, OR
- Substantially confined to the home or immediate premises due to permanent disability.
How to apply
Pension claimants apply on VA Form 21P-527EZ and submit completed by their physician. Service-connected veterans seeking -based A&A submit a for increased compensation with VA Form 21-2680 as supporting medical evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Tools & Topics
Have an SMC decision that warrants another look?
Oakridge Claims reviews rating decisions, medical evidence, and effective dates for overlooked SMC, aid and attendance, higher SMC levels, and loss-of-use issues. Submit your VA decision letter for an initial SMC case review. No upfront representation fees for eligible appeals. Results are not guaranteed.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. No guarantees of outcomes are made. Each claim is decided on its individual facts.
Related guides
Chapter 35 (DEA) Survivors Education
Education benefits for spouses and children of permanently and totally disabled or deceased veterans.
SMC-S — Housebound
SMC for veterans with a single 100% disability plus additional 60%, or those substantially confined to their home.
SMC-R — Higher Aid & Attendance (R-1 and R-2)
The highest SMC tiers for veterans who already qualify at the severe-combination levels and also need daily personal care — R-2 when that care must be skilled.
DIC and Aid & Attendance for Surviving Spouses
The aid-and-attendance and housebound allowances added to DIC, current rates, and how this differs from SMC and Pension A&A.