A surviving spouse with no dependent children who qualifies for Aid & Attendance under the VA Survivors Pension program can receive a Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) of $18,697 per year, or about $1,558 per month, effective December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026. This rate is lower than the veteran's own Aid & Attendance rate and is subject to the same net worth and income limits.
The detail behind the number
Many surviving spouses of veterans in the Triangle are unaware that they may qualify for their own VA pension benefit, separate from any benefit the veteran received while alive, provided the veteran's service met wartime eligibility requirements and the survivor meets the program's income and net worth tests. The Survivors Pension with Aid & Attendance can help offset the cost of assisted living, memory care, or in-home care once countable income is subtracted from the $18,697 annual MAPR ceiling. As with the veteran's benefit, the combined net worth and income limit of $163,699 (effective through November 30, 2026) applies, and this is a federal figure that does not change based on North Carolina residency. Families should apply through the VA directly or work with an accredited veteran service officer, since applications require documentation of the veteran's discharge status and the survivor's medical need for assistance.
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