VA Aid & Attendance Benefits in Colorado
A monthly pension supplement that can pay for in-home care, up to $2,874 per month in 2026. Here is everything Colorado veterans and surviving spouses need to know.
VA Aid & Attendance
What Is Aid & Attendance and Who Qualifies in Colorado?
VA Aid & Attendance (A&A) is a pension benefit added on top of the base VA pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with activities of daily living. It is one of the most underutilized VA benefits. Many eligible Colorado families do not know it exists or assume the application is too complex. In 2026, a single eligible veteran can receive up to $2,424 per month; a veteran with a dependent spouse can receive up to $2,874 per month. These funds can be used to pay for professional in-home care, assisted living, or other qualifying care costs.
How to Apply in Colorado
Step-by-Step: Filing Your Aid & Attendance Claim
The application process can feel overwhelming, but it follows a predictable sequence. Working with a free Colorado County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) from the start significantly improves your outcome.
Gather Your Documents
Collect the veteran's DD-214 (discharge papers), marriage certificate if applicable, medical evidence documenting the need for care, financial statements, and any existing VA award letters. Having these ready before starting prevents delays.
Obtain Medical Evidence
A licensed physician must complete VA Form 21-2680, the Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid & Attendance. Your primary care provider or a VA physician can complete this form. CCA can coordinate transportation to that appointment.
File Your Claim
Submit VA Form 21-527EZ (for veterans) or VA Form 21-534EZ (for surviving spouses) along with your supporting documents. You can file online at va.gov, by mail to the VA Pension Management Center, or in person through your County Veterans Service Officer.
Work with a Colorado CVSO
Every Colorado county has a free, accredited Veterans Service Officer. CVSOs help prepare your claim, submit it correctly, and follow up with the VA on your behalf, at no cost. This is the single most effective way to accelerate and strengthen your claim.
Follow Up and Appeal if Needed
Processing typically takes 6–12 months. If your claim is denied or rated lower than expected, you can request a Higher-Level Review or file a Supplemental Claim with new evidence. CVSOs and VA-accredited claims agents can represent you at no charge.
How CCA Helps
We Provide the Care While You Navigate the Benefits
Colorado CareAssist is an authorized provider in the VA Community Care Network through TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the CCN administrator for VA Region 5 covering Colorado. This means VA-referred veterans can receive authorized home care services directly through CCA when the VA is unable to provide timely care.
For families pursuing Aid & Attendance, we help by documenting the care services we provide, which the VA uses when calculating countable income and verifying the need for assistance. We also offer transportation to VA appointments where medical evidence forms are completed.
Many families begin care with CCA while their A&A claim is pending. Once approved, the retroactive benefit payment often covers much of the care cost incurred during the processing period.
★★★★★I’m so thankful for Colorado Care Assist. They were referred to me by the in home PT group that my Spine Dr. uses.
Start Your Veterans Care Consultation
Tell us about your situation. We will walk through your VA benefit eligibility, explain the Aid & Attendance process, and build a care plan your family can start immediately, even while the claim is pending. No pressure, no contract required.
Serving veterans throughout Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Adams, Jefferson, Douglas, Arapahoe, El Paso, Pueblo, and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is VA Aid and Attendance?
- Aid and Attendance is a monthly pension supplement for eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. The benefit can be used to pay for in-home care, and in 2026 it can reach up to about $2,874 per month depending on the household.
- Who may qualify for Aid and Attendance?
- A veteran or surviving spouse may qualify if they need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating, meet the wartime service and income tests, and have countable income reduced by unreimbursed medical expenses. Eligibility is decided by the VA; we help families understand and document it.
- How much can Aid and Attendance pay toward home care?
- Benefit amounts are set by the VA and depend on the household, up to roughly $2,874 per month in 2026. The money can be applied to any home care provider, including Colorado CareAssist. We help families estimate how the benefit fits their care budget.
- How do we apply, and can you help?
- Yes, we help at no charge. Every Colorado county has a free, accredited Veterans Service Officer who can prepare and submit the claim, and we coordinate the care documentation the VA needs. Benefits are generally retroactive to the application date, so applying early matters.
- Is Aid and Attendance the same as VA Community Care?
- No. Aid and Attendance is a pension that pays the family, who can hire any provider. VA Community Care is a program where the VA authorizes and pays an enrolled provider directly. Some veterans use both. We can explain which fits your situation.
Take the Next Step
Questions about VA Aid & Attendance?
Our team helps Colorado veterans navigate A&A applications and start receiving care quickly. Call for a free consultation.