2026 Benefit Updates: Social Security, VA Aid & Attendance, and CSRA

Client Care Assistant
2 days ago
3 min read

This is the time of year to note updates to federal programs that intersect with state services that may benefit the people you care about, including Social Security, VA Pension with Aid and Attendance (A&A), and Medicaid's Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA). This Georgia-focused summary of 2026 benefit updates will help you plan for your loved one's income, care, and housing costs in the new year.

Do you have aging loved ones in your life? This is the time of year to note updates to federal programs that intersect with state services that may benefit the people you care about, including Social Security, VA Pension with Aid and Attendance (A&A), and Medicaid's Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA). This Georgia-focused summary of 2026 benefit updates will help you plan for your loved one's income, care, and housing costs in the new year.

Social Security

Social Security benefits will increase by 2.8% in 2026, resulting in an average monthly increase of $56 for retired workers. This Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) takes effect with December 2025 benefits, which are payable in January 2026. This adjustment also applies to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment levels, which will see a 2.8% increase for January 2026 payments.

The 2026 Social Security increase will be significantly offset by rising Medicare costs, meaning that beneficiaries will see much less in their "take-home" pay. Here's how Medicare costs eat into the COLA:

Automatic Deductions: Medicare Part B premiums are automatically taken directly from Social Security checks before you or your loved one receive them.
Part B Premium Hike: The standard Part B premium is rising from $185 to $202.90 in 2026, a substantial jump that consumes a large chunk of the COLA.
Net Benefit Shrinks: An average $56 monthly COLA increase might shrink to around $39-$40 after the $18 Part B deduction, leaving less actual money in your pocket.

VA Pension – Aid and Attendance

The VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) program is an enhanced monthly pension for veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities or are bedridden, blind, or severely disabled. Eligibility hinges on service-connected status and medical need. A&A supplements the basic pension to cover care costs, not medical treatment.

For 2026, the maximum VA Aid and Attendance benefit is $2,873 monthly, tied to a 2.8% COLA increase effective December 1, 2025, though the actual payout depends on your income. The resource (asset) limits remain at $150,000 (plus primary home/vehicle).

Here's a more detailed look at the VA Aid & Attendance benefit rates that went int effect on December 1, 2025:

Type	Monthly	Annually
Veteran with One Dependent Basic Housebound Aid & Attendance	$1,903 $2,225 $2,873	$22,838 $26,709 $34,486
Single Veterans Basic Housebound Aid & Attendance	$1,453 $1,776 $2,424	$17,440 $21,312 $29,091
Surviving Spouse Basic Housebound Aid & Attendance	$974 $1,191 $1,558	$11,699 $14,296 $18,696
Healthy Veteran with Ill Spouse	$1,903	$22,838
Two Married Veterans (both A&A)	$3,845	$46,143
Each Additional Dependent	$247	$2,983

Medicaid Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA)

The CSRA protects a portion of the community spouse’s resources when one spouse enters long-term care, supporting the healthy spouse in Georgia while ensuring the financially needy spouse receives care. While CSRA rules are federal, each state implements them with its own processes and look-back periods. Georgia follows federal guidance but manages applications through the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) and local Long-Term Care (LTC) programs. Administrative differences can influence timing and documentation needs.

Effective January 1, 2026, the Community Spouse Resource Allowance will increase to $162,660.00. The combined resource allowance will increase to $164,660.00. The Community Spouse income allowance will increase to $4,066.50.

The SSI monthly rate in 2026 will be $994, so the 2026 Medicaid income cap will be $2,982. In general terms, all 2025 rates and allowances will increase by 2.8% for 2026.