How do VA net worth limits treat spouses and dependents when calculating household income?

1. Net worth: VA’s definition and who it includes

The VA defines net worth as the total of an applicant’s assets plus their annual income (sometimes referenced as “income for VA purposes”), and when a veteran is married the spouse’s assets and income are also included in that calculation; primary residence, vehicle and basic household goods are generally excluded ^{[4] [6] [7]}. Multiple practitioner guides and VA pages emphasize that net worth is a combined, household-level figure for married claimants rather than a narrow, individual-only accounting ^{[3] [6]}.

2. Spouses: joint accounting and practical impact

If a veteran is married and applying for pension benefits, the VA counts both the veteran’s and the spouse’s income and assets toward the net worth limit. This means that a spouse’s savings, investments and wages can push the household over the threshold and make the veteran ineligible, even if the veteran’s personal holdings alone would be below the limit ^{[3] [6]}. The practical implication is that married couples must report joint financial information; several specialist sites underscore that this change, instituted in recent years, tightened eligibility compared with older rules ^[3].

3. Dependents: when children’s income or assets matter

Dependents’ income can be relevant. VA guidance and examples indicate that income of dependents living in the home may be counted as part of yearly income for some benefit calculations, and VA rules specify that a child is not considered a dependent for pension purposes if the child’s own net worth exceeds the statutory net worth limit ^{[5] [4]}. Available sources do not mention detailed thresholds or the full list of dependent-income exclusions beyond these points; the regulation text lays out calculation procedures more fully ^{[5] [8]}.

4. Look‑back rule and transfers: spouse and household transfers trigger scrutiny

The VA enforces a look-back rule for asset transfers: if an applicant transfers assets for less than fair market value during the look-back period and those assets would have put the veteran or surviving spouse over the net worth limit, a penalty period up to five years can result ^{[1] [3]}. Sources note that this rule was implemented to prevent gifting or undervalued sales to meet the net worth threshold; married applicants must therefore consider how transfers by either spouse during the look-back could be treated ^{[3] [1]}.

5. Numbers and timing: the limit changes yearly

The statutory net worth cap is adjusted annually with Social Security COLA. For Dec. 1, 2024–Nov. 30, 2025 the VA’s published figure is $159,240; some practitioner projections list the Dec. 1, 2025–Nov. 30, 2026 limit as $163,699 ^{[1] [2]}. Different secondary sources and newsletters repeat those numbers and remind readers that MAPR (Maximum Annual Pension Rate) tables and whether one qualifies for Aid & Attendance or Housebound status also change how much pension is payable ^{[9] [10]}.

6. Regulatory text and discretionary determinations

The Code of Federal Regulations (38 CFR §3.274 and related sections) instructs VA how and when it calculates net worth, what triggers recalculation, and that VA may deny or discontinue pension if net worth exceeds the limit; it also provides examples the VA uses for complex cases ^[8]. These rules give VA discretion to evaluate whether assets are of “sufficiently large amount that one could live off them,” meaning some judgments are not purely mechanical ^{[8] [7]}.

7. Conflicting reporting and remaining uncertainties

Most sources agree on the core principle—spouse and household income/assets count—but numbers vary by date and publisher: VA pages and Military.com list $159,240 for 2025 ^{[1] [6]}, while some planning sites and projections show $163,699 for the 12/1/25–11/30/26 window ^{[2] [3]}. Available sources do not provide a single exhaustive checklist of every income type counted or every dependent exception; for fine-grained scenarios (IRAs, annuities, atypical household arrangements) the regulation and VA adjudication guidance should be consulted ^{[8] [7]}.

8. What claimants should do next

Report household income and assets fully when applying: VA explicitly uses spouse and dependent income in many calculations and audits transfers in the look-back period ^{[1] [5]}. For complex estates, recent transfers, or borderline net worth, consult the VA regulation text and consider accredited VA representatives because real-world determinations involve rule interpretation and discretionary judgments by the VA ^{[8] [3]}.