If you or your loved one served in the military, you may be eligible for financial assistance that can help pay for assisted living. VA benefits for assisted living are often underused, especially by families who are unaware of the full range of support from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Understanding which benefit programs apply and how to apply can make a meaningful difference for aging veterans and surviving spouses.
This guide explains the types of veterans benefits for assisted living, who qualifies, how much VA pay may cover, and practical next steps.
Does the VA have assisted living benefits?
Yes, several VA benefits can help cover assisted living costs for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses. While Veterans Affairs does not pay assisted living communities directly in the way it pays for medical care at VA medical centers, certain financial benefits can offset assisted living expenses, such as help with daily living tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, or managing medications.
Common VA benefits and programs that can help pay for assisted living include:
- VA pension
- Aid and Attendance
- Housebound allowance
- Survivors Pension for surviving spouses
Not all veterans will qualify for every option, and eligibility requirements vary by program.
Paying for assisted living with a VA pension
A VA pension is a tax free monthly payment for wartime veterans with limited income and net worth. It is not tied to a service-connected disability, so the cause of a veteran’s current health needs does not have to be related to military service. Eligible veterans may use the benefit to help pay for assisted living expenses.
Basic eligibility generally includes:
- Military service during a wartime period (90 days with minimum 1 day in wartime for those who served before 9/8/1980; generally 24 months or the full period called after that date)
- Honorable discharge or discharge other than dishonorable
- Financial eligibility, based on income and net worth limits set each year
- Being 65 or older, having a permanent disability, or certain other conditions
The pension amount depends on household income, deductible medical expenses, and whether the veteran qualifies for an Aid and Attendance benefit add‑on. See the current VA pension rates for today’s maximum annual pension rates. The Department of Veterans Affairs also publishes the annual net worth limit for the current period. These financial eligibility limits guide which veterans qualify.
Aid and Attendance benefits
Aid and Attendance is an enhanced pension add‑on for veterans and survivors who need help with daily living or have specific medical needs. This aid can significantly increase monthly VA pay and is commonly used to cover assisted living costs that include personal care support and supervision.
You may qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit if you receive a VA pension and at least one of the following applies:
- You need another person to help with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, or feeding.
- You are largely confined to bed due to illness.
- You are a patient in a nursing home due to loss of mental or physical abilities.
- You have severe vision limitations.
Veterans and surviving spouses apply by submitting VA Form 21-2680, usually with a statement from a primary care doctor that documents the need for assistance. Learn more about VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Note that Aid and Attendance is added to the pension; it is not a stand‑alone living benefit. You cannot receive Aid and Attendance and Housebound at the same time.
How much will the VA pay for assisted living?
The amount varies based on your eligibility category, countable income, and unreimbursed medical expenses. Maximum annual pension rates, including the Aid and Attendance benefit where applicable, are published each year. For example, in 2025 a qualified veteran with a dependent spouse who receives Aid and Attendance may have a maximum annual pension rate of $33,548, which equals about $2,796 per month. Actual payments are lower if you have countable income.
Important details:
- VA benefits help cover assisted living expenses by reimbursing families for qualifying care costs, but the VA does not pay assisted living communities directly.
- Many assisted living communities support residents who use VA benefits; ask communities how they handle documentation to help families maximize eligible medical expense deductions.
To explore other strategies alongside VA benefits, see our guide on how to pay for senior care.
Who qualifies for VA benefits for assisted living?
Eligibility for VA benefits for assisted living depends on several factors, including military service history, income, medical needs, and marital status. Since this information is subject to change, you should always check with your local VA office.
VA pension eligibility checklist for veterans
All of the following must be true:
- You did not receive a dishonorable discharge.
- Your household income and net worth are within VA limits for the year.
- You meet service requirements related to active duty during a wartime period.
And at least one of the following is true:
- You are 65 or older.
- You have a permanent disability.
- You live in a nursing home due to disability.
- You receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Aid and Attendance eligibility highlights
To receive the Aid and Attendance benefit, you must be eligible for a VA pension and meet at least one care‑related criterion, such as help with daily living or severe vision loss. Review the full criteria on the official Aid and Attendance page.
Survivors Pension for surviving spouses
Surviving spouses and certain dependents of wartime veterans may qualify for a Survivors Pension and, if medically appropriate, the Aid and Attendance benefit. You must meet financial eligibility and the veteran’s service requirements. The Survivors Pension can help pay for assisted living when daily living support is needed.
What do VA benefits cover, and what do they not cover?
VA pension and the Aid and Attendance benefit are flexible. Families can use them to help pay for assisted living costs related to personal care and supervision. However, the VA does not cover room and board in an assisted living facility. The VA does offer health care services through VA health care and community care, and separate long‑term care programs for those who qualify.
Common assisted living expenses that VA benefits can help offset include:
- Personal care, such as bathing, grooming, and dressing
- Medication reminders or administration
- Meal preparation or dining services
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Mobility support and safety supervision
- Social engagement and structured activities
For long‑term care under VA health care, programs include VA Community Living Centers, community nursing homes, Medical Foster Home, Veteran‑Directed Care, and Community Residential Care. These programs focus on higher levels of need, sometimes including skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, and physical therapy, and they have their own eligibility criteria. See VA’s overview of long‑term care services for details.
What are VA Community Living Centers?
VA Community Living Centers are VA nursing homes that provide services such as short‑stay rehabilitation, hospice, dementia care, and skilled nursing care for enrolled veterans who qualify. These centers are part of the Department of Veterans Affairs health system and are different from private assisted living communities. Learn more about these programs on VA’s pages for Geriatrics and Extended Care.
Other programs that may support aging veterans include Veteran‑Directed Care, Medical Foster Home, and Community Residential Care, which can help veterans who do not need nursing home care but cannot live independently. Some VA medical centers coordinate community residential care options with oversight and case management.
VA benefits for dementia and memory support
Cognitive changes often make independent living difficult. Families frequently use the Aid and Attendance benefit to help cover assisted living costs in a memory care setting. While the VA does not pay room and board at a private assisted living facility, Aid and Attendance can help pay for the personal care, supervision, and daily structure that support dignity and safety for aging veterans living with dementia.
How to apply for veterans benefits that help pay for assisted living
Follow these steps to get started:
- Gather documents. Collect the DD‑214 discharge document, financial records, and medical documentation that shows the need for daily living support. A note from a primary care doctor can help establish care needs for the Aid and Attendance benefit.
- Confirm the right benefit. Review VA pension and Aid and Attendance requirements, then decide which benefit programs apply.
- Submit the application. File the pension application and include VA Form 21-2680 if applying for Aid and Attendance.
- Get free help. A Veterans Service Officer can help you apply and track your claim. Your state’s veterans service officers or a local VA office can advise on eligibility requirements and documentation.
- Track your claim and respond to requests. Processing can take time, so reply quickly to VA requests for evidence.
If you have questions about VA health care benefits or enrollment, call the VA health benefits hotline.
How much do assisted living communities cost in Massachusetts?
Costs vary by city and level of care. Recent data from Genworth’s 2024 Cost of Care Survey, summarized for Massachusetts, shows a median annual cost of about $108,696 for assisted living communities, which equals roughly $9,058 per month. Individual communities vary substantially, so contact communities directly for current assisted living costs.
Frequently asked questions
Does the VA help with assisted living expenses?
Yes, VA pension and the Aid and Attendance benefit can help eligible veterans and surviving spouses pay for assisted living expenses related to personal care and supervision. The VA usually does not cover room and board in an assisted living facility. Review VA long-term care services for program details.
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
Original Medicare does not cover assisted living care or most non‑medical long‑term care. It may cover short‑term skilled nursing or rehabilitation after a qualifying hospital stay.
What is the “$3,000 VA payment” I hear about?
People sometimes use this phrase to describe the higher Aid and Attendance amount available to some married veterans. The actual amount varies by category and countable income. Check current VA pension rates and note that payments are adjusted each year.
How do most seniors pay for assisted living?
Families often pay with some combination of personal savings, home proceeds, pensions, Social Security, long‑term care insurance, and VA benefits.
Does military insurance cover assisted living?
TRICARE and CHAMPVA may cover certain medical services, but they do not typically cover room and board in assisted living communities. VA programs can help with medical care, and a VA pension with Aid and Attendance can help pay for assisted living costs related to personal care.
What are VA Community Living Centers?
They are VA nursing homes that provide skilled services such as rehabilitation, dementia care, hospice, and other supports for enrolled veterans who qualify. These settings differ from private assisted living communities and are part of VA health care.
Veterans deserve support at every stage of life
If you or your loved one served our country, support is available to help pay for assisted living. Starting early can reduce stress and give you time to gather documents, confirm eligibility requirements, and compare communities. The sooner you begin the process, the sooner you and your family can make confident decisions about what comes next. Call The Arbors and The Ivy today to speak with a knowledgeable team member, or complete our online form to schedule a visit at one of our assisted living communities in Massachusetts or Connecticut.