Figuring out how to pay for long-term care for yourself or a loved one may already be a struggle. Throw your veteran’s benefits into the mix, and it’s enough to make your head spin!
Understanding how much the VA will pay for assisted living can be crucial in planning for long-term care, so we’d like to walk you through your options.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers financial support through various programs, but the amount of assistance depends on eligibility and individual circumstances. In this guide, we’ll break down who qualifies for VA benefits for assisted living, what resources are available, and how to make the most of them.
Does the VA Pay for Assisted Living?
While your VA benefits might cover a lot of things, the short answer is no, VA benefits do not directly cover assisted living.
But that doesn’t mean that your VA benefits won’t be of some assistance in covering the costs of your assisted living needs.
There are various programs through the VA that have been designed to offer support to veterans who are seeking senior care.
While there is no direct program that assists veterans who need long-term care options, VA-assisted living benefits do exist to a certain extent. Read on to discover what those are and how you can gain access to them.
Aid and Attendance Program
Through the Aid and Attendance Program offered by the Veterans Administration, eligible veterans qualify for additional funds on top of the benefits they currently receive.
These funds are meant to be spent on assisting the veteran in completing activities of daily living (ADLs) and can be used for assisted living facility costs.
To be eligible for the Aid and Attendance Program, you need to meet some of the following requirements:
- Be a United States veteran.
- Need assistance from another person for everyday tasks.
- Be bedridden.
- Have certain eyesight limitations.
- Be in a nursing home due to a physical or mental incapacity or disability.
Please note that you do not need to meet all of these criteria to be eligible for this program. While you must be a veteran, you can qualify by fulfilling some combination of the other categories.
Veteran Directed Care Program
While the VA doesn’t offer benefits specifically delegated to assisted living, some might consider the Veteran Directed Care Program to be among the VA’s assisted living benefits. Somewhat similar to the Aid and Attendance Program, it offers additional funds to eligible veterans, allowing them to select and hire their own caregivers.
This program allows a veteran to choose what is best for their unique situation and make the decision for themselves or with the assistance of their representative.
This benefit is intended to support both the veteran and their caregivers. The goal is to ensure that the caregiver can assist as much as possible while maintaining their own lives and prioritizing self-care.
The Veteran Directed Care Program offers a unique opportunity for veterans to build a support network.
In order to qualify for this program, a veteran should:
- Be enrolled for VA benefits.
- Meet specific clinical criteria.
- Be eligible for community care.
- Be in an area that offers the program.
What Other Options Do Veterans Have for Assisted Living Using VA Benefits?
The following types of long-term care centers may also provide support from the VA for assisted living costs.
VA Community Living Center
A VA Community Living Center is similar to a nursing home. These facilities are run by the Veterans Administration to help restore veterans to peak health and prevent decline.
While similar facilities can often get a bad rap for feeling cold and distant, these facilities take special measures to be as homelike as possible, encouraging residents to decorate their rooms and even bring pets.
VA Community Living Centers may be an option for some veterans who meet the qualifications and are looking for short-term or long-term care.
While VA Community Living Centers can be a good fit for some, the nursing home-like structure may mean less independence and comfort.
Armed Forces Retirement Home
The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) is an initiative of the Federal Government that provides eligible veterans (and their spouses) with a community designed to offer a meaningful lifestyle full of enriching activities and plenty of exposure to history and heritage.
The Armed Forces Retirement Home has two locations, one in Washington, DC, and one in Gulfport, MS.
It is important to note that the Armed Forces Retirement Home is not a nursing home. In fact, to be eligible to reside at the AFRH, you must be able to live independently upon admission.
This includes:
- Attending to your own personal needs
- Getting to the dining facilities for meals
- Keeping and attending all medical appointments
Additionally, someone seeking residence at the AFRH should be free of:
- Felony convictions
- Drug problems
- Psychiatric problems
- Alcohol problems
While you must be independent when you move into the home, there are care options available as veterans age and become less independent, including:
- Assisted living
- Memory support
- Long-term care
Again, these services are only available after the resident has moved in independently and begins to need them.
State Veterans Home
With a history that dates all the way back to the early post-Civil War days, State Veterans Homes exist to provide those who served America with what they need to live a safe, comfortable, and meaningful life.
In their original form, these homes were meant to provide homeless and disabled veterans with shelter and resources. Today, these facilities offer domiciliary care, nursing home care, and adult daytime care.
As the name suggests, State Veterans Homes are run by individual states, not the VA.
Facilities must be inspected and approved by the VA before they can be considered a State Veterans Home and must meet annual inspection qualifications while they are in operation.
Who Qualifies for VA Benefits for Assisted Living?
Not all veterans qualify for VA benefits that can be used for assisted living.
Some of the basic requirements one should meet to qualify for some of these benefits include:
- Honorable discharge
- Age 65+ or permanently disabled
- A minimum service requirement
There are also medical and financial eligibility requirements that should be kept in mind as you consider your options.
Medical Eligibility
Certain medical requirements have to be met to qualify for additional benefits. The VA requires that anyone seeking these types of benefits be able to show medical need, such as needing assistance with at least two ADLs.
Depending on the benefit, there may be additional requirements to qualify.
To receive the most accurate information about medical eligibility requirements, consider contacting the VA directly.
Financial Eligibility
To receive some of the previously mentioned benefits, seniors usually need to fall below a certain income bracket.
Again, details can be subject to change and vary from benefit to benefit.
To find the most dependable and current numbers and information, contact your Veterans Benefits Advisor.
How Much Will the VA Pay for Assisted Living?
VA benefits for assisted living are more like funds that can be used to cover costs. The amount of benefits you are eligible for depends on your income.
The VA counts things like Social Security payments, retirement, and more as your countable income. Depending on your situation, the types of benefits you qualify for, and current income limits, you may receive one of four different maximum amounts.
The current maximum yearly VA pension amounts are:
- $18,923 for a surviving spouse with no dependents
- $28,300 for a single veteran with no dependents
- $33,548 for a veteran plus spouse/dependent
- $44,846 for two married veterans who both meet the maximum qualifications
How To Use Veterans’ Benefits for Assisted Living
You can apply for most of these benefits online or by visiting your local VA office.
Another great resource is your Veterans Benefits Advisor. They are your biggest resource when it comes to learning about what you might qualify for and how you can apply for the benefits you deserve.
There are also accredited representatives and agents who can assist you with your applications.
Commonly Asked Questions About the VA and Assisted Living
Does the VA Operate Any Assisted Living Facilities?
While the VA does operate some long-term care programs, including VA Community Living Centers, they’re more closely related to nursing-home-level facilities as opposed to traditional assisted living communities.
Is the VA Contract Community Residential Care (CRC) Program the Same as Assisted Living?
Yes, the VA’s Community Residential Care Program provides care in assisted living and other similar residential settings. It’s designed for veterans who don’t require hospital or nursing home care but are no longer able to live independently and lack the support they need.
Eligible veterans may be referred by the VA to privately operated residences that provide varying levels of supervision and personal care. In these homes, Veterans generally pay for their own room and board, although in some instances, VA healthcare services may cover their care.
Can a Surviving Spouse Receive VA Help to Pay for Assisted Living?
Yes. While the VA does not pay for assisted living facilities directly, eligible spouses can receive a tax-free monthly cash pension with the Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit that can be used toward assisted living expenses.
While the actual payment amount varies based on the spouse’s out-of-pocket medical and care expenses, current maximum benefit amounts include:
- Maximum monthly benefit: Up to $1,558 per month
- Maximum annual benefit: Up to $18,696 per year
The deceased veteran must have:
- Served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during an eligible period of war
- Received an honorable or other-than-honorable discharge
- Served for 24 months or the full period for which they were called to active duty if they entered active duty after September 7, 1980
In addition to the requirements, the surviving spouse:
- Must have been married to the veteran at the time of their death
- Must have been married to the veteran for at least one year prior to their passing or had a child together.
- Generally, cannot have remarried (with very limited exceptions)
- Must prove they require assistance with the “activities of daily living” (ADLs)
Eligible spouses may apply through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs eBenefits portal.
Will the VA Pay for Assisted Living if You Get Medicaid?
While neither program typically pays for “room and board” in assisted living, VA benefits and Medicaid can be combined to cover your needed medical care and services.
The rules for doing so are extremely specific and can vary by state, and how they work together depends on your benefits.
While the VA doesn’t pay for assisted living directly, you may use tax-free VA pension programs like Aid and Attendance to pay for room, board, and care services.
Medicaid doesn’t cover room and board in an assisted living facility, but if you qualify for a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver, Medicaid can cover the assistance and care services you receive while living in assisted living.
Since combining VA and Medicaid benefits is highly complicated, consult an expert such as a VA social worker, a certified Medicaid planner, or an elder law attorney to map out your state’s specific rules and decide on your best financial strategy.
Senior Services of America: Helping Veterans in Assisted Living
At Senior Services of America communities, we honor and respect those who served our great nation and can help you find a home in one of our assisted living communities.
We boast incredible amenities such as generously sized senior-friendly floor plans and restaurant-style dining. We create communities full of fellowship and comfort, with your safety and independence at the forefront of all we do.
It would be our honor to provide you with top-of-the-line amenities and care as you live out your golden years in one of our beautiful communities. Find your nearest community today so we can help look into your VA benefits for assisted living.
