VA Benefits for Assisted Living: Everything You Need to Know

Daniel Cobb

September 11, 2023 at 7:00 AM·6 min read

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If you’re a veteran looking for an assisted living community you can be comfortable in, you probably have a lot of things to think about before you make the switch. It isn’t easy to navigate the VA system, though. Veterans in every state are missing out on benefits they may be eligible for, and collectively, billions of dollars worth of aid is going unclaimed.

Assisted living is one of those benefits, and it might be one of the most under-utilized parts of the VA system. With assisted living costs averaging $4,500 a month nationwide, getting the VA benefits you deserve might be one of the most important things you can do for yourself or a qualifying veteran in your family.

This article is meant to help veterans find and access the VA assisted living benefits they’re entitled to and give an overview of the veterans’ benefits you might be missing out on. It goes over what benefits are available, who qualifies for them and how to apply. There’s also helpful information about the application process and a link for more information about getting VA help paying for assisted living.

Speak to a Family Advisor

Understanding VA Benefits for Assisted Living

The United States has over 18 million veterans who are older adults, and many of them need some level of care services to thrive. Veterans’ benefits offered through the VA are meant to plug that gap with a broad spectrum of services and supports that include:

Disability compensation
Pensions
Education and job training
Health care
Home loans
Insurance
Vocational rehabilitation
Employment services
Burial awards
Long-term care assistance

These benefits are meant to help veterans transition back into civilian life and express the nation’s gratitude for their honorable service. From the individual veterans’ point of view, any or all of these benefits can be critical in maintaining a high quality of life after separation from the service, especially when it’s time to find board and care in a residential care community.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a level of senior residential care that falls between independent senior living and nursing home care. Older adults who move into assisted living communities typically have help with activities of daily life from staff caregivers, who can provide a range of vital support services, such as:

Chore assistance
Daily check-ins
Food prep
Shopping assistance
Personal care
Grooming and dressing assistance
Linen and laundry service
Limited transportation
Medication reminders

Assisted living is not to be confused with memory care, which is for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, hospice care, which provides comfort care for people with end-stage illnesses or nursing home care, which provides close medical monitoring and rehab services for disabled and recovering seniors. Caregivers in assisted living communities might, for instance, remind seniors to take their medication, but they generally can’t administer the medicine themselves.

Why are VA Benefits Important for Assisted Living?

Because assisted living occupies an in-between position in the move from living at home to rehab in an inpatient medical facility, it can be hard to find ways to pay for the care they offer. Health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid may pay for medical treatments and equipment, but assisted living isn’t usually a covered benefit. Likewise, many seniors in assisted living communities have personal care needs that go beyond what their monthly payments can cover, which calls for financial help from the VA.

Eligibility for VA Benefits

VA benefits are available to all honorably discharged veterans of any branch of the U.S. military, their qualifying spouses and dependent family members. Specific programs, such as tuition assistance or discount home loans, may only be available to beneficiaries who go through the application process, but in principle, all veterans who completed a satisfactory term of service are equally eligible for all VA benefits.

What are the Requirements for Assisted Living Benefits?

The VA’s Home and Community-Based Services are open to veterans who qualify for the standard range of VA benefits and who have a pressing need for in-home care from a professional caregiver. These services may be delivered in the veterans’ home or at a residential care facility, including an assisted living community. There is no minimum age requirement for caregiver benefits through the VA, but the beneficiary must have a medically verified need for services to be covered.

How to Determine Eligibility for VA Benefits

By far, the best way to determine your eligibility for VA benefits is to speak with a benefits counselor or VA case manager. These professionals can help you locate benefits you might not have known you qualify for, and they may even help you to apply for them.

Types of VA Benefits for Assisted Living

While no VA benefit simply pays the cost of room and care in an assisted living community, various services can take the edge off of your monthly costs of care. In-home caregivers assist with activities of daily living, while home health aides can provide more medically oriented services, such as wound care and changes of dressings. These caregivers can visit you even if you’re currently living in an assisted living community.

Pension with Aid and Attendance

Your caregiver benefits fall under the broad category of Pension with Aid and Attendance benefits. This program provides financial support equal to your veterans’ pension, plus visiting caregiver assistance.

State Veterans’ Homes

State veterans’ homes began right after the Civil War to house veterans of the Union who had disabilities that needed continuing care. These homes are not managed by the VA, but they are inspected to make sure they meet the VA’s standards of care. Services offered in state veterans’ homes include skilled nursing, domiciliary and adult day health care.

Applying for VA Benefits

There are several pathways to applying for VA benefits. The VA itself recommends working with an accredited representative to streamline the process. You may apply for your benefits anytime, including shortly before your separation from the service.

Gathering the Required Documentation

Start the process by gathering the documentation your benefits program requires. This is generally proof of eligibility and need. You will have to present your discharge paperwork, a completed application for the specific program you need and possibly proof of medical need. You may also have to provide proof of residence and/or income for some programs.

What to Expect After Applying

It takes time for your application to work all the way through the VA. Keep in touch with your accredited representative to monitor your progress and to find out right away if more documentation is needed. Eventually, your application will be approved, and you’ll be sent a letter confirming your participation in the program.

Maximizing Your VA Benefits for Assisted Living

Your accredited representative acts as a case manager and can explain your benefit amounts and limitations, if any. This rep can also help you locate any additional benefits you might be eligible for. If there’s a long delay in your approval or you’re denied benefits, you can contact a VA-accredited agent or attorney to help you work through your case.

The Bottom Line

VA benefits can be an enormous help for qualifying veterans and their spouses in searching for ways to pay for assisted living. Learn more about assisted living and other benefits you might be eligible to receive, and make the move into residential care as stress-free as possible.