VA Aid & Attendance: How New Mexico Veterans Can Get Home Care Paid For

If you are a veteran or the spouse of a veteran living in New Mexico, you may be entitled to a significant monthly benefit that can pay for in-home care — and most families do not know it exists. It is called VA Aid & Attendance, and it is one of the most underused veterans benefits in the country.

What Is VA Aid & Attendance?

VA Aid & Attendance is an enhanced pension benefit paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily living activities. Unlike service-connected disability compensation, Aid & Attendance is based on financial need and medical need — not whether an injury happened in service.

For 2026, the monthly Aid & Attendance benefit can be as high as:

• Veteran with a spouse: up to $2,642/month

• Veteran without a spouse: up to $2,229/month

• Surviving spouse of a veteran: up to $1,432/month

These funds can be used to pay for in-home care, assisted living, or adult day services.

Who Qualifies for VA Aid & Attendance in New Mexico?

To qualify for Aid & Attendance, a veteran must generally meet all of these criteria:

• Served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period (WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, etc.)

• Was not dishonorably discharged

• Meets income and net worth thresholds (assets generally must be under $155,356 for 2026, excluding the home and vehicle)

• Requires assistance with at least two activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, or toileting — or has a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease

How to Apply for VA Aid & Attendance

The application process involves gathering military and financial records and submitting VA Form 21-2680. Here is a simplified overview:

• Step 1: Gather your DD-214 (proof of military service) and discharge papers

• Step 2: Collect financial documents including income, assets, and medical expenses

• Step 3: Have your physician complete VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance)

• Step 4: Submit the application to the VA Pension Management Center

• Step 5: Continue receiving care — approval can take several months, but benefits are often backdated to the application date

You can also work with a VA-accredited claims agent or a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) like the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at no cost to help with the application.

How Joshua Cares Home Health Helps New Mexico Veterans

Joshua Cares Home Health is VA Aid & Attendance credentialed and works with veterans and their families across Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Bernalillo, Los Lunas, Belen, and surrounding areas including Laguna Pueblo and Jemez Pueblo.

We are also credentialed through TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the VA's Community Care Network provider for New Mexico. This means eligible veterans can receive our home care services and have them paid through VA benefits.

Our caregivers receive specialized training in veterans care, and our owner Joshua is personally accessible to veterans and their families. If a caregiver cannot make it, Joshua will show up himself.

Areas of Highest VA Need in New Mexico

Based on our work with the VA Community Care Network, the areas of highest VA home care need in New Mexico include Los Lunas, Belen, Vequita, Laguna Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, and surrounding communities. These veterans often have limited access to VA facilities and rely on community-based providers like Joshua Cares Home Health.

Get a Free In-Home Assessment for Your Veteran

If your loved one is a veteran who needs in-home care, do not leave this benefit unclaimed. Call Joshua Cares Home Health at 505-207-9441 to discuss your situation. We serve veterans across New Mexico and can help guide you through the process of using your VA benefits to fund home care.

NMDOH Licensed (#7124) | NPI: 1679358592 | VA/TriWest Credentialed | Supervised by a Registered Nurse | No Contracts Required