Resources and Benefits for Veterans Exploring Senior Living

There comes a time when an older veteran may need daily help with personal care, either at home or in a senior living community. By combining Veterans Affairs (VA) retirement benefits with other financial resources, veterans and their spouses can maximize their ability to pay for care services at a senior living community.

To help you understand what’s available, we’ve compiled a list of resources for veterans and even surviving spouses and dependents who need to pay for care. Keep in mind that some benefits may overlap, while others cannot be used simultaneously.

• VA Pension
• VA Housebound Allowance benefit
• VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit
• Combining VA Pension, Housebound Allowance, and Aid and Attendance
• VA disability compensation
• VA health care
• VA Survivors Pension
• State and local programs

VA Pension

The VA Pension is a monthly benefit from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides additional income to qualifying veterans. It is designed to help eligible recipients cover basic living expenses and, in many cases, the cost of long-term care. Veterans generally qualify if they served during an approved wartime period and meet certain income and net worth limits.

To qualify, the veteran must meet the following criteria:

• Military service: The veteran has qualifying military service.
• Net worth: The household’s net worth does not exceed the maximum.
• Income: The household does not exceed the income limit.
• Health circumstances: The veteran is at least 65 years old or is under 65 and has a long-term or permanent disability.

The VA Pension serves as the base-level benefit within a group of related VA programs that provide additional income based on a veteran’s care needs. The other programs are the Housebound Allowance and Aid and Attendance, which will be explained next.

VA Housebound Allowance benefit

The Housebound benefit is one of the programs related to the VA Pension. It provides additional monthly income, in addition to the VA Pension, for qualifying veterans.

Veterans may be eligible for this benefit if they:

• Meet the same military service, net worth and income requirements as those for the VA Pension.
• Have health needs that require them to spend most of their time at home due to a permanent disability, but they can perform their own activities of daily living.

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit

The Aid and Attendance benefit is the other monthly financial benefit related to the VA Pension. It can provide over $2,000 of additional monthly income to qualifying veterans.

The benefit is designed for wartime veterans with limited financial resources who need help with daily living activities due to age, illness or disability.

For families trying to manage the cost of senior care, this benefit can provide meaningful financial support that helps bridge the gap between a person’s income and the cost of care.

To qualify, the veteran must:

• Not have received a dishonorable discharge
• Have served qualifying military service of at least one day of active duty in a wartime period
• Have served at least 90 days of active duty in a U.S. military branch if they started active duty before September 8, 1980, or have served 24 months of active duty if they started after September 7, 1980
• Have a household net worth that does not exceed the annual limit
• Have health needs that include at least one of the following: requires assistance with at least two activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, dressing and transferring (e.g., getting in and out of bed); be bedridden for most of the day due to illness or disability; need to live in a senior living community that protects their safety due to physical, cognitive or other health or medical issues; and/or have vision impairment, such as macular degeneration, or be legally blind

The VA Aid and Attendance application process takes time and requires thorough documentation, so it’s important to apply as soon as possible. Applicants can file on their own or utilize third-party software or assistance.

Once eligibility is confirmed, benefits are paid retroactively. If the applicant is 85 years old or older, they may request priority processing.

Combining VA Pension, Housebound Allowance and Aid and Attendance

It could be helpful to know that some of these benefits can be combined, while others cannot. An applicant can receive one of the following:

• VA Pension only
• VA Pension with the Housebound Allowance
• VA Pension with Aid and Attendance

The military service and financial criteria are the same for all three programs. If the veteran meets the Housebound Allowance health criteria, they may receive the VA Pension and the Housebound Allowance. If they meet the Aid and Attendance health criteria, they may receive the VA Pension and Aid and Attendance. Since the health criteria for the Housebound Allowance and the Aid and Attendance program differ, they cannot qualify for both.

VA disability compensation

This is a monthly tax-free payment made to veterans who became sick or injured during their service, or who had an existing condition made worse by their service. This benefit is not based on financial need.

VA health care

Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system may qualify for age-related extended care services, which include senior and assisted living residences. Benefits are provided based on individual needs, eligibility and availability within the VA network.

The VA does not pay for a veteran’s rent at a senior living community but may cover extra services they need while living there. Veterans should speak with a VA social worker to help decide if they need extra help from a nurse or caregiver at the community.

VA Survivors Pension

This is a pension for veterans’ spouses and dependents, not one the veteran receives. The Survivors Pension is similar to the VA Pension, Housebound Allowance and Aid and Attendance programs, but instead is available to surviving spouses or other dependents.

To qualify, they must meet the same health and financial requirements as the VA Pension, Housebound Allowance and Aid and Attendance.

The veteran to whom the spouse or dependent is related must also have military service that meets the criteria.

Additionally, the spouse and veteran’s marital status must meet certain criteria. The adult child must meet individual requirements as well.

Like the VA Pension, VA may award Survivor Pension applicants a benefit in one of three ways, depending on their particular situation:

• The Survivors Pension alone
• The Survivors Pension with the Housebound Allowance
• The Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance

State and local programs

Several states and local governments offer programs that help veterans cover the costs of senior living. These programs may provide financial assistance, waivers or other support services, often in collaboration with federal benefits. Contact your state or local veterans resource center or veterans service organization for more information.

Knowing your financial options is the first step toward creating a fulfilling retirement lifestyle.

Be sure to consult a financial advisor or a VA benefits representative to better understand the resources available to you.

If you’re considering independent senior living, we invite you to get started by reaching out to a Holiday by Atria community near you. We’d be honored to answer any questions you have.