VA Benefits for Assisted Living: A Comprehensive Guide for Veterans

VA health care benefits won’t cover room and board in assisted living communities, but they may help pay for extra care and services provided by a nurse or aide.^[01] A few examples of covered services include:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Mental health support
• Medical equipment
• Palliative care

The median national cost of assisted living is $5,190 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2025 cost report. If a veteran only qualifies for some coverage through their VA health care benefits, that means they’re still responsible for the bulk of assisted living costs.

VA pension funds can be used however a veteran sees fit, including to pay for room and board, care services, and any extras in assisted living. The additional VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit can provide even more monetary support for a veteran who already qualifies for the basic VA pension and needs help with activities of daily living (ADLs).^[02] Since ADL assistance is the main type of care provided in assisted living, veterans commonly use Aid and Attendance funds to offset the costs.

An eligible veteran with no dependents can receive up to $1,413 per month through the basic VA pension or up to $2,358 per month if they also qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit.^[03] Exact pension amounts depend on several factors, such as a veteran’s household income, marital status, and number of dependents.

VA pension programs are need-based and provide financial support to elderly or disabled wartime veterans with limited income and assets. This means that a senior veteran may need to spend down some of their funds before they can financially qualify for pension benefits.

Jenni Barnett, a National Account Manager for A Place for Mom who has personal and professional experience with VA benefits, encourages veterans and surviving spouses of veterans who may not yet qualify for Aid and Attendance to keep their paperwork handy.

“Even if someone has significant assets now, it’s still worth understanding the A&A benefit in case they need it down the road,” Barnett says. “Long-term care can quickly deplete savings, and having this benefit available could make a big difference. ‘Can I afford $5,000 a month or $3,000?’ That’s a big difference in communities.”

Military retiree pay isn’t the same thing as the VA pension, but it can be another way to pay for assisted living.

VA disability compensation can be used to pay for any costs associated with assisted living. This monthly payment is not based on financial need and is made to veterans who:^[04]

• Are not already receiving a VA pension
• Became sick or injured during their service
• Had an existing condition that was made worse by their service

If your loved one qualifies for a VA pension and for VA disability compensation, the VA won’t pay both. They’ll pay whichever benefit is greater.^[05]

VA disability compensation rates depend on several factors, such as the veteran’s disability rating and whether they have any dependents. In 2025, the lowest possible monthly compensation for a single veteran with no dependents is $175.51, and the highest is $3,831.30.^[06] This tax-free money can be used however the recipient decides to use it.

Is assisted living the right fit?

Yes, veterans’ spouses may qualify for VA benefits that can be used toward assisted living costs. The VA survivors pension, Aid and Attendance benefit, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program provide financial support for surviving spouses and other family members.

Using the VA survivors pension to pay for assisted living

The VA survivors pension provides a tax-free payment to surviving spouses of late wartime veterans. Recipients can use these pension funds however they see fit, including to pay for assisted living.
Eligibility for the survivors pension is based on financial need and the late veteran’s wartime service.^[07] A surviving spouse who qualifies for the survivors pension may also qualify for additional funds through the Aid and Attendance benefit if they require assistance with ADLs.

A spouse who has no dependents and qualifies for the survivors pension can receive up to $948 per month, while a spouse who qualifies for the pension and the A&A benefit can receive up to $1,515 per month.^[08]

Using VA DIC to pay for assisted living

The VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program provides tax-free payments to the surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans who meet at least one of the following criteria:^[09]

• Died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive-duty training
• Died from a service-connected illness or injury
• Were totally disabled from a service-connected illness or injury and eligible for disability compensation

Recipients must meet certain age, marital status, and income requirements to qualify. The current DIC base rate for a surviving spouse is $1,653.07 per month.^[10] Additionally, there are many different factors that can increase the total monthly DIC benefit an eligible person can receive. Base rates and factors for increased amounts also vary for surviving children and surviving parents.

Note that a surviving spouse cannot receive both the survivors pension and dependency and indemnity compensation. If a person qualifies for both programs, the VA will pay whichever benefit is higher.^[10]

Veterans and their surviving spouses, children, and in some cases, parents, may qualify for VA benefits that can be used to pay for assisted living. Eligibility requirements vary by program and may include income and net worth limits, wartime service, disability rating, toxic exposure, or other factors.

If your loved one hasn’t qualified for VA benefits in the past, it may be worth applying again, as benefit programs and eligibility criteria may change over time. For example, the recently enacted PACT Act resulted in more veterans being eligible for VA health care and other benefits.^[11]

Contact your loved one’s VA case worker or the nearest VA medical center to gather information on benefits and get guidance on how to apply. Many forms and applications are now available online at VA.gov. That said, you can do some things on your own before reaching out, such as:

Check eligibility. Research the eligibility requirements for the specific benefit(s) you’re interested in. Things like a minimum service period, service during a designed wartime, and honorable discharge may be required.
Gather documents. Make a list of which documents you’ll need and start collecting them. “Pull your paperwork to have on hand,” Barnett advises. “Marriage license, death certificates — all the paperwork someone would need to file.” You can request a copy of a veteran’s DD Form 214 (also known as discharge papers or report of separation) online through the National Archives. Be ready to furnish personal details such as name, service branch, dates of service, and more for verification.
Seek an assessment. If applicable, make an appointment with a physician to document any health conditions, disabilities, and/or functional limitations. This is an important step when applying for benefits like disability compensation or pensions.

The process of gathering documents and properly filling out VA forms can be complex and time-consuming. If a veteran’s application is incorrect or incomplete, the VA will take longer to process it and issue a determination. This may prevent a veteran from getting the benefits and care they need in a timely manner. Fortunately, there are many sources of assistance available to veterans and their families, including the following:

• The VA can help with your application via phone. There’s MyVA411 at 800-698-2411, the VA benefits hotline at 800-827-1000, and the VA health benefits hotline at 877-222-8387. You can also get help in person. Use their Find VA Locations tool to search for a nearby regional office that can assist with benefits.
  “A lot of cities, particularly larger cities, have local VA Aid and Attendance offices that can help,” Barnett says.
• Veterans organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), may be able to answer questions about benefits and help prepare applications free of charge.
• Accredited VA consultants can help families assess eligibility for VA long-term care benefits and assist with applications for a fee. They can also help families determine why a denied application wasn’t successful and recommend changes to improve the chances of approval upon resubmission.
• Elder law attorneys may be able to help with financial planning and the VA benefits application process. When seeking advice, look for a reputable attorney who has experience with VA benefits. Note: Attorneys must be accredited to prosecute claims with the VA.
• Patriot Angels, A Place for Mom’s trusted VA-accredited partner, can provide expert advice on veterans benefits. “Once you submit the application, it typically takes about 90 days or so to hear back,” Barnett says. “Sometimes, when you use a service like Patriot Angels, because it’s fee-based, you would hear back sooner.”

The VA hosts a directory of VA-accredited individuals, such as Veterans Service Organization representatives, attorneys, and claims agents, to choose from.

Note: A Place for Mom may be compensated if you choose to use Patriot Angels’ services.

Assisted living questions? Get expert help

In recognition of their service and sacrifice, veterans may receive opportunities to access assisted living that aren’t available to the general public. These include the following:

• The Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH). With two U.S. locations, the Armed Forces Retirement Home provides assisted living and various other levels of care for enlisted veterans and their eligible spouses. As an independent agency within the federal government, the AFRH’s rates are generally more affordable than those of private assisted living communities. Resident fees are based upon a percentage of income and there’s a maximum monthly fee ceiling.^[12]
• Military and veteran discounts. Ask assisted living communities if they honor veterans, veteran spouses, or surviving spouses with a special discount. This may be a one-time or a recurring discount.
• Military-only senior living communities. These communities may offer more affordable rates than communities that are open to the general public. Some of these communities are operated by nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, or by not-for-profit entities. It’s important to note that these communities may restrict resident eligibility to officers and officers’ spouses.
• VA home loans. Instead of rentals, some assisted living communities and continuing care retirement communities may offer units or homes for sale. Veterans and eligible spouses may be able to purchase a VA-approved dwelling within a senior living community with no down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and limited closing costs. Because the VA guarantees part of the loan, these loans typically have more favorable terms than traditional loans do.^[13]

And for more information, A Place for Mom’s veterans resource guide can help veterans and their families compare long-term care benefits.

Finding assisted living for a veteran or surviving spouse can be challenging. For instance, you may be looking for an environment that honors their service and can connect them with other veterans, spouses, and people who understand their unique experiences and needs. These tips will help you find the ideal assisted living community for veterans:

• Identify your loved one’s needs and preferences. Is access to fellow veterans and veteran-focused activities a priority? What about proximity to a VA hospital? In addition to current needs, be sure to consider future care needs, such as memory care support or skilled nursing care.
• Tour prospective communities.Tours are a great way to experience the atmosphere of a community. During a tour, be sure to ask staff about clubs for veterans and spouses, whether and how the community recognizes and honors veterans on Veterans Day, and if the community has connections to local veterans organizations.
• Speak with a Senior Living Advisor. A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors will learn about your loved one’s needs, preferences, and budget to connect you with prospective communities that are a good fit. They can answer any questions you might have and even help you schedule community tours — all at no cost to your family.