VA Benefits for Assisted Living: What Veterans and Families Need to Know

Two-thirds of adults over 50 say they feel mostly or somewhat anxious about being able to afford the cost of an assisted living community, according to a KFF survey. If you're a veteran, you may have additional sources of senior care funding to help relieve your worries.

Eligible veterans can use some VA benefits for assisted living. Several benefits programs let you choose how to use the money, including for assisted living costs.

Learn more about veteran benefits for seniors and how to access financial assistance for long-term care.

Does the VA Pay for Assisted Living?

The VA doesn't have a direct program to help veterans with senior care expenses. However, you may be able to use other VA financial assistance to help cover the cost of assisted living.

For example, veterans who receive monetary VA assistance can use those payments for assisted living expenses. Veterans, their spouses, or surviving spouses can use VA assistance money this way.

VA Benefits for Assisted Living

You can use several types of VA benefits to help pay for assisted living care, including:

• Aid and Attendance Program
• Geriatric and extended care services
• Home and community-based services waivers
• Housebound Program
• Reimbursement for nursing home care
• State veterans homes
• VA disability compensation
• VA health care benefits
• VA pension or survivors' pension
• Veterans directed care

Most of these benefits programs don't directly cover assisted living costs. However, paying for assisted living is permitted, so you can choose to use the money in that way. The VA benefits people commonly use for assisted living are the Aid and Attendance Program, Housebound Program, VA or survivors' pension, disability compensation, and health care.

Aid and Attendance Program

The Aid and Attendance Program provides money in addition to a VA or survivors' pension. The funds must be used to assist the veteran in doing activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs include:

• Bathing
• Personal hygiene and grooming
• Toileting
• Eating and feeding
• Preparing meals
• Dressing
• Walking
• Shopping

Assisted living communities provide help with activities of daily living, so Aid and Attendance Program funds may be used to help cover the cost of living in such a community.

To be eligible for the Aid and Attendance Program, you must be a United States veteran or the spouse of a deceased veteran. You must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Require help with ADLs
• Be bedridden
• Need a nursing home because of a mental or physical incapacity
• Have a severe visual impairment

These criteria mean that not all veterans can access the Aid and Assistance Program to use it for assisted living expenses. If you qualify, though, it's a good option.

Housebound Program

VA Housebound benefits are another program that supplements your VA pension. You can't benefit from both the Aid and Assistance Program and the Housebound Program at the same time. Housebound benefits help veterans who are permanently disabled and can't leave their residences without assistance.

A residence can be a personal home, assisted living community, or nursing home.

VA Pension or Survivors' Pension

The VA can choose to award pensions to veterans and their surviving spouses. Pensions are intended for low-income veterans.

To qualify for a pension, you must meet several criteria. You must not have received a dishonorable discharge. Your income and assets must not exceed certain limits set by Congress.

You must meet at least one of the following conditions:

• 65 years old or older
• Permanently and totally disabled
• Live in a nursing home for long-term care due to a disability
• Receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security income

You must also meet certain requirements for active-duty service.

Surviving spouses may be eligible for a Survivors' Pension if they haven't remarried and meet certain income and asset requirements. The same active-duty criteria apply to Survivors' Pension benefits as to the standard VA pension.

Disability Compensation

VA disability compensation isn't based on your financial situation. It depends on your disability status as defined by the VA. You may qualify if:

• You got injured or sick as a result of your time in the military, or
• You had an existing condition that worsened as a result of your military service

If the VA determines you're eligible for disability compensation, you can use those payments to cover some of your assisted living costs.

Health Care

Some services in assisted living communities may be covered under VA veterans' health care. These services include:

• 24/7 nursing and medical care
• Physical therapy
• Help with activities of daily living
• Comfort care and pain management

The VA must approve the assisted living community before your care will be covered. The agency must agree that the services you plan to use are necessary. You may still be responsible for co-pays under your plan.

How to Apply for VA Benefits for Assisted Living

The process of applying for senior care funding through the VA can be complex. You can apply for VA benefits online, by phone, or in person at a regional office.

Before you apply, you'll need to gather the necessary documents, which include:

• Application form
• Your most recent tax return and other financial information
• Current health insurance information
• Discharge or separation papers
• Doctor's letter with your current diagnosis and prognosis

You can reach out to your County Veterans' Service Officer for assistance. Service organizations like the American Legion or Disabled American Veterans can usually provide help. The VA maintains a database of approved private agencies that can help as well.

Take Advantage of VA Financial Assistance

VA benefits for assisted living come through a variety of programs. You can work with a trained veterans service officer to help you find the type of VA financial assistance that fits your situation.