Does the VA Pay for Assisted Living?

No, the VA doesn’t pay for assisted living. However, veterans and their survivors may qualify for various VA benefits and pensions that they can use to pay for their care. Eligibility criteria and entitlement amounts differ among programs.

Veterans and spouses who receive a VA pension or survivors’ pension and meet income and asset limits may qualify for an extra Aid and Attendance or Housebound allowance. Individuals can’t claim both benefits together, however. The Aid and Attendance benefit helps elderly veterans pay for essential care services. It covers those who need assistance with one or more daily living activities, reside in a nursing home, are bedbound or are partially sighted. Similarly, the Housebound allowance pays for support for veterans primarily confined to their homes because of disability. Both supplemental benefits are available for those aging at home or in a community setting, such as an assisted living facility.

The Veteran-Directed Care program provides payments to cover personal care services and support with everyday activities, allowing seniors to remain as independent as possible. Older veterans qualify if they are signed up for VA benefits, meet functional level of care requirements and are eligible for community care. Services include help with eating, bathing and toileting. Under the consumer-choice program, because recipients choose their caregivers, they can use funds to cover services in an assisted living community. However, the program doesn’t operate in all areas.

VA benefits only cover care services and don’t pay for room rent in an assisted living community. Therefore, individuals must also use other payment methods. Veterans may use VA pensions, disability compensation payments or military retired pay to pay toward their assisted living fees. Additionally, VA health care sometimes pays for select long-term care services in an assisted living facility, such as physical therapy or medication management. It also pays for a wide range of medical services and reduces an individual’s out-of-pocket health care expenses, freeing up funds to pay for assisted living. Medicare similarly saves seniors money they can then spend on long-term care.

Other funding sources include state benefits, such as Social Security, private pensions and savings. Some seniors sell resources, such as homes and vehicles, to pay for their care, or family members contribute. Homeowners should consider obtaining a reverse mortgage or renting out their property. Insurance is another potential option for policyholders, particularly long-term care plans, hybrid policies or advance payments on life insurance.