Many United States veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible for benefits that can help offset the cost of senior living. We've put together some helpful information below, but we encourage you to consult your local Veterans Affairs (VA) office and your preferred senior living community for guidance specific to your situation.
Understanding available benefits and eligibility requirements can help you make more informed decisions as you explore senior living options.
VA Benefits That May Help with Senior Living Costs
There are two primary benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that may help eligible veterans and surviving spouses manage the cost of care and senior living services:
- Aid and Attendance Benefit
- Housebound Allowance
Aid and Attendance Benefit
The Aid and Attendance benefit is an additional monthly payment available to eligible veterans and surviving spouses who qualify for a VA pension and require assistance with daily activities or have certain care needs. These funds are paid directly to the recipient and may be used to help offset the costs associated with assisted living, in-home care, and other qualifying care services.
Housebound Allowance
The Housebound Allowance is available to eligible veterans who receive a VA pension and spend much of their time at home due to a permanent disability. Like Aid and Attendance, this benefit provides additional monthly financial assistance for care-related expenses.
Visit the VA website to learn more about these benefits.
What Can Veterans Benefits Be Used For?
VA pension enhancements such as Aid and Attendance may help cover a variety of care-related expenses, including:
- Assisted Living
- Personal care services
- Home health aide support
- Other qualifying long-term care services
It's important to note that the VA does not pay senior living communities directly. Instead, eligible veterans and surviving spouses receive monthly benefits that can help offset the cost of care.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for VA pension benefits and pension enhancements is based on several factors, including:
- Military service history and discharge status
- Income and net worth limit established by Congress
- Medical and care needs
- Qualifying medical or long-term care expenses
In general, applicants must not have received a dishonorable discharge and must meet applicable financial and service requirements.
Because each person's circumstances are unique, eligibility is not determined solely by whether someone needs assistance with specific activities of daily living. Qualifying care expenses may also affect financial eligibility calculations.
Do You Need to Wait for Approval Before Moving?
One question families often ask is whether they need to wait for VA benefit approval before moving into an assisted living community.
In many cases, the answer is no.
Eligible veterans may choose to move into a senior living community while their application is being reviewed. If approved, some applicants may receive retroactive payments based on the VA's effective date determination. However, approval timelines, eligibility decisions, and retroactive payments vary by individual case and are not guaranteed.
We encourage families to discuss timing and financial planning with both their VA representative and senior living community.
We're Here to Help
Navigating senior living options and veteran’s benefits can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Our team is happy to answer questions, provide resources, and help you understand the options available to you and your family.
Ask your local community about how we recognize our veteran residents.
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