According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are more than 18 million veterans ages 65 or older in the U.S. today, and many may be eligible to receive the VA benefit for senior living, even if they don’t have a service-related disability. When seeking ways to pay for senior living, veterans should have a look at what it takes to qualify for the VA benefit for senior living. It could be a lifesaver!
What it takes to qualify for the VA benefit
First, the VA Pension
Eligibility for the VA benefit for senior living called Aid and Attendance requires that a veteran or their survivor first qualify for the VA pension which provides monthly payments to wartime veterans who”
- Were honorably discharged, and
- Meet the annual net worth limits.
When both those criteria are met, the veteran must meet at least one of the service, age, disability, and Social Security requirements defined in the va.gov article, “Eligibility for Veterans Pension,” which also lists the specific wartime periods and locations that establish eligibility. For those who did not receive an honorable discharge, it may be possible to qualify by applying for a discharge upgrade.
Survivors of a wartime veteran may also qualify for a VA pension if they meet the income and net worth criteria defined by Congress and described in the va.gov article, “Survivors Pension.”
Application for the VA pension requires a number of forms and documents listed in the va.gov article “How to apply for a VA pension as a Veteran,” and can be completed online, through the mail, or in person at a VA regional office.
Second, Aid and Attendance benefits
Once a VA pension is received, a veteran or their surviving spouse can apply for the Aid and Attendance VA benefit for senior living. Again, there are specific qualifying factors that must be met. According to the va.gov article, “VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance,” these include at least one of the following:
- They require another person’s help with activities of daily living (i.e., bathing, feeding, dressing, etc.).
- They are bedridden for all or a large portion of each day due to illness.
- They are a patient in a nursing home due to disability-related loss of physical or mental abilities.
- Their eyesight is limited to only 5/200 or less in both eyes even with glasses or contact lenses; or concentric contraction of the visual field is 5 degrees or less.
Application for the Aid and Attendance VA benefit for senior living requires many of the same documents as the VA pension application as well as VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance), and for those in a nursing home, VA Form 21-0779 (Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for Aid and Attendance).
Applications can be submitted in person at a VA regional office or via mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365
Disability compensation
Another VA benefit for senior living is provided to veterans with a disability that is “the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service.” As explained in the va.gov article, “VA disability compensation,” veterans who qualify receive a monthly tax-free payment that can be used to pay for living expenses as needed. Qualifying survivors may also receive this payment known as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, which is outlined in the va.gov article, “About VA DIC for spouses, dependents, and parents.”
A note about the PACT Act
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 provides expanded and extended eligibility for veterans (and their survivors) of the Vietnam era, the Gulf War era, and the post-9/11 era and expands eligibility for benefits for veterans (and their survivors) who were exposed to toxic substances.
In March 2024, the PACT Act was further expanded to be in effect sooner and veterans no longer need to first apply for disability benefits but are eligible to enroll if they meet any of these requirements:
- Served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11, or
- Deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, or
- Were exposed to toxins or other hazards during military service at home or abroad as described and categorized in the publichealth.gov article, “Military Exposures.”
To learn more about the PACT Act and how it may provide a VA benefit for senior living, check out the va.gov article, “The PACT Act and your VA benefits.”
At The Timbers on Blackwell Creek, we thank our nation’s veterans for their service and welcome them to our new community. Download our “Funding Guide” and contact us to get in touch!
