Your Complete Guide to VA Benefits for Long-Term Care
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Understanding VA benefits for your loved one’s care
If you’re caring for an aging parent, spouse, or other loved one who served in the military, VA benefits may help pay for long-term care. Rather than a single program, VA benefits include health care, monthly financial assistance, and other support that can help eligible veterans and surviving spouses manage the cost of care. This guide explains the major VA benefits, who may qualify, and how families get started.
Which VA benefits can help pay for long-term care?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers several programs that support eligible veterans, surviving spouses, and some family members. Some programs provide care services, while others offer monthly financial assistance that may help cover your loved one’s living and care expenses.
VA health care benefits
VA health care may provide eligible veterans with long-term care services, including in-home assistance, adult day health care, respite care, and nursing home care. Access depends on enrollment, assessed care needs, and the availability of services in the veteran’s area. Some services may require a copayment.1
As health needs change, such as after a hospitalization, a new diagnosis, or a decline in mobility, already being enrolled in VA health care can make it easier to get referrals, coordinate services, or explore long-term care options. For caregivers, that connection can help prevent delays and reduce stress when decisions need to be made quickly.
Eligibility for VA health care is based largely on service history and discharge status, although other factors may affect a veteran’s assigned priority group.2
VA pension benefits
The Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension are needs-based benefits that provide monthly financial support to eligible wartime veterans or their surviving spouses, respectively.3, 4 They’re among the main ways VA benefits help low-income seniors afford everyday living and care-related expenses.
VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits
Aid and Attendance and the Housebound allowance are financial benefits that may be added to the Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension for eligible veterans or surviving spouses.5
Aid and Attendance is intended for people who need help with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, or mobility, while the Housebound allowance is for those who are largely confined to their home because of a permanent disability or meet other qualifying disability criteria.6 Both benefits can provide additional monthly financial support for eligible pension recipients who have greater care or mobility needs. Qualification depends on both financial and medical factors.
VA disability compensation and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
VA disability compensation and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) are VA programs that provide monthly tax-free payments for service-connected circumstances. VA disability compensation supports veterans whose illness or injury is connected to their military service, while DIC provides financial support to eligible surviving spouses, children, or parents after a veteran dies from a service-connected condition or other qualifying circumstances.7, 8
Although these benefits aren’t designed specifically to pay for long-term care, the monthly payments may help offset living expenses, support caregiving needs, or contribute toward the cost of senior care.
How VA benefits can help offset the cost of long-term care
How much VA benefits may help with your loved one’s care costs depends on the benefit, their eligibility, and the care they need. Monthly financial benefits can contribute toward care expenses, while VA health care may cover specific services. Families may also need personal savings, retirement income, long-term care insurance, or other resources to cover remaining costs.
Which VA benefits may help pay for different types of care
Type of care
VA benefits that may help cover costs
Home care
VA health care
Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
Aid and Attendance or Housebound allowance
Disability compensation
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Assisted living
Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
Aid and Attendance
Disability compensation
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Memory care
Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
Aid and Attendance
Disability compensation
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Nursing home
VA health care
Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
Aid and Attendance
Disability compensation
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
Many families use more than one benefit as their loved ones’ needs change. For example, an eligible veteran may receive VA health care and Veterans Pension, with a higher pension amount through Aid and Attendance if they meet additional requirements. However, Veterans Pension and disability compensation cannot be paid simultaneously.9 Similarly, surviving spouses cannot receive both Survivors Pension and DIC; the VA pays whichever benefit provides the greater amount.10
To learn how VA benefits apply to specific types of care, explore these guides:
Eligibility for VA benefits is typically determined by a combination of service history, financial eligibility, and, for some programs, a demonstrated care or medical need. The specific criteria depend on the benefit your loved one is applying for.
Compare common VA benefit requirements
The chart below compares common eligibility requirements to help you identify which benefits may be relevant to your loved one.
VA benefit
Who can qualify?
What determines eligibility?
VA health care
Eligible veterans
Military service
Discharge status
VA enrollment requirements
Veterans Pension
Eligible wartime veterans
Wartime service
Discharge status
Net worth and income
Age or disability status
Survivors Pension
Eligible surviving spouses and children
Wartime service and discharge status of late veteran
Marital status
Net worth and income
Age or disability status (for surviving children)
Aid and Attendance
Veterans and surviving spouses
Eligibility for Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
Need for assistance with activities of daily living or other qualifying care needs
Housebound allowance
Veterans and surviving spouses
Eligibility for Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
Substantial confinement to the home due to a permanent disability, or a qualifying combination of disability ratings
VA disability compensation
Veterans with service-connected disabilities
Qualifying service-connected illness or injury supported by medical evidence
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Eligible surviving spouses, children, or parents
Service-connected death or other qualifying circumstances
Relationship to the deceased veteran or service member
Service requirements
Service requirements vary by program but typically involve length of service and type of discharge. Some benefits require wartime service, while others do not.
Income and net worth limits
Financial eligibility requirements vary by program and household situation, and care-related expenses are sometimes considered. Because the rules differ, families may qualify even if they assume they won’t.
Care or medical need requirements
Care or medical needs affect eligibility for some VA benefits. For example, Aid and Attendance considers whether your loved one needs help with daily activities or meets other qualifying medical criteria, while the Housebound allowance considers whether a permanent disability substantially confines them to their home.5
Your loved one doesn’t need to require long-term care to enroll in VA health care. However, accessing specific long-term care services depends on their assessed needs and local availability.1, 2
Getting started with VA benefits can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re helping a loved one navigate the process for the first time. Start by identifying which programs may fit their circumstances. Applying for VA health care is a separate process from applying for financial benefits such as Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension, and each program has its own requirements and forms.
Enroll in VA health care
If your loved one is a veteran seeking care through the VA, they can apply using VA Form 10-10EZ, the application for health benefits. You can help them apply online through the VA or call the MyVA411 information line at 800-698-2411 for assistance.11
Apply for the benefits your loved one qualifies for
Once you understand which VA benefits may apply to your loved one’s situation, you can begin the application process for those specific programs, including:
Veterans Pension or Survivors Pension
Aid and Attendance benefit or Housebound allowance
VA disability compensation or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Each benefit has its own eligibility requirements, application forms, and supporting documentation.
Get help with the application process
Applying for VA benefits can be complicated, but you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Many organizations offer free or low-cost guidance to help families understand eligibility criteria, complete applications, and avoid common mistakes.
VA-accredited claims agents and attorneys, who can help families understand eligibility, prepare claims, and navigate decision reviews or appeals. Federal regulations prohibit accredited agents and attorneys from charging for assistance with an initial claim before a decision has been made.12
You may also choose to get expert guidance from Patriot Angels (1-833-879-6017), A Place for Mom’s trusted partner.
Note: A Place for Mom may be compensated if you choose to use Patriot Angels’ services. We clearly disclose financial relationships around featured products or services.
How A Place for Mom helps caregivers navigate VA benefits and care
Trying to understand VA benefits while making care decisions can feel overwhelming. A Place for Mom doesn’t determine VA eligibility or file claims, but our Senior Living Advisors can help you understand how benefits may fit into real care options. With guidance and support, you can make informed decisions that honor your loved one’s service while meeting their care needs.
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