Reviewed by Rachel Levy, BSW, MPH, senior living expert Rachel Levy, BSW, MPH, and a senior national account manager at A Place for Mom, has worked in senior care for more than 20 years.
When it comes to paying for senior living, many older adults remain unaware of the options available. This rings especially true for one payment source: the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Aid and Attendance program. This benefit can cover thousands each year in a veteran’s senior living and caregiving expenses yet only an estimated quarter of eligible seniors apply.
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
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VA Aid and Attendance provides a substantial monthly payment on top of existing VA pensions for eligible veterans and surviving spouses. This supplemental income is added to the VA Pension or Survivors Pension to help cover the cost of long-term senior care.
Older veterans or their surviving spouses who can no longer manage their care independently can use VA Aid and Attendance benefits to help cover the cost of assisted living , memory care , a nursing home , or in-home care services.
Any senior living community can help a veteran or their surviving spouse so long as that community provides 24-hour staffing and the veteran requires assistance with at least two of the six activities of daily living (ADLs) allowed by the VA, explains Suzette Graham, founder and CEO of Patriot Angels, a trusted partner of A Place for Mom
A veteran needs to meet specific care requirements, such as needing someone to help them with activities of daily living. Secondly, to receive a VA Aid and Attendance benefit, you or your senior loved one must first be receiving the basic VA pension. [ 01 ]
To qualify for the basic VA pension, veterans must meet all of the following requirements: [ 02 ]
The VA considers the following as wartime periods: [ 02 ]
| Conflict | Eligible dates |
|---|---|
| Mexican Border period | May 9, 1916 – April 5, 1917 |
| World War I | April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918 |
| World War II | December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946 |
| Korean conflict | June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955 |
| Vietnam War Era |
To qualify for VA benefits, the veteran’s net worth must fall below $155,356. This limit set by Congress lasts until November 30, 2024, and the limit may change annually. [ 03 ]
Your loved one’s net worth generally includes the following:
In addition to these VA pension requirements, a veteran’s situation must fit one of the following descriptions to be eligible for the additional Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit:
A VA pension with an upgrade of Aid and Attendance is most commonly awarded through direct deposit to the veteran or survivor’s bank account, says Graham. There are credit unions and veteran-friendly banks for any person who doesn’t have a bank account but wishes to receive their payment through direct deposit.
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
Take our free care quizVeterans can apply through the VA. There are many ways to reach out to the VA for assistance, including the following:
For those who prefer to reach out via telephone, the following hotlines can provide assistance:
If you are a veteran or family member who utilizes TTY, please dial 711 for further assistance.
While veterans and their families can complete a successful application on their own, sometimes extra support can be helpful.
Veterans’ organizations like the VFW, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), which have local posts and chapters in most cities, provide assistance filling out Aid and Attendance forms for no cost. Elder law attorneys can also assist veterans and their families with their application.
Seniors can also receive expert advice from A Place for Mom’s trusted, VA-accredited partner Patriot Angels (1-833-879-6017).
Note: A Place for Mom may be compensated if you choose to use Patriot Angels’ services.
For help with navigating senior care, older adults and their families can reach out to A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors . These thoughtful experts can help you understand care options available in your area and set up community tours – all at no cost to you and your family.
Processing time varies. It’s difficult to identify a timeframe of when an approval may be received. Claims are typically processed in the order that they are received. However, some veterans may qualify for priority processing under specific conditions determined by the VA.
VA Housebound benefits are designed to help permanently disabled veterans receive care while they’re confined to their homes. Similar to VA Aid and Attendance benefits, the veteran must first meet eligibility requirements and be receiving a VA pension or Survivors Pension to qualify for Housebound benefits. [ 01 ]
Veterans may be eligible for housebound benefits if they receive a monthly VA pension; have a permanent, service-related disability; and spend nearly all their time at home for health reasons. However, veterans can’t receive this benefit and Aid and Attendance at the same time. [ 01 ]
A VA pension with an upgrade of the Housebound benefit can be difficult to receive, says Graham. However, this shouldn’t stop someone from applying. The VA Housebound benefit money can be used at the veteran’s discretion once they qualify and is a great option for any veteran seeking care from the comfort of their own home.
