If you’re a veteran, you or your spouse can use VA benefits to offset the cost of long-term care. Usually, the VA will pay for long-term care for service-related disabilities in an assisted living facility, senior care community or your home.
What Qualifies as Long-Term Care?
That type of care helps seniors manage medical conditions and everyday activities. VA benefits will help cover the cost of services for individuals who need 24-hour nursing or medical care. Those services may include:
- Physical therapy
- Pain management
- Skilled nursing
- Assistance with tasks like bathing, dressing and eating
- Memory care
- Housekeeping
- Caregiver support
- At-home care
Services must be administered at a VA facility or a state or community organization approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Long-term care can be provided at a nursing home, assisted living facility, independent living community, adult day center or in a veteran’s home.
Which Benefits Cover the Cost of Long-Term Care?
There are two benefits you can apply for to cover long-term care expenses:
Veterans Aid & Attendance: This benefit provides you or your spouse with supplemental income for services in a care facility or at home. Another person must provide your daily care and medical management. This benefit is available for assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, at-home care and family caregivers.
Housebound allowance: This additional income is added to your monthly VA pension if you are confined to your home because of a disability. You must rely on others to leave your home for medical appointments and errands.
VA Requirements for Long-Term Care Benefits
While all veterans are eligible for long-term care benefits, qualifying for them is based on your disability or health condition, need for ongoing treatment, income and service availability.
To be eligible for VA long-term care benefits, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be enrolled in VA healthcare.
- You require a specific treatment or service to manage a health condition or daily living.
- The service must be available nearby.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will also consider factors like service-related disability status and your current insurance coverage.
Embassy Healthcare is committed to providing our veterans with outstanding, personalized care. Call 216-378-2050 for more information on our VA services, and schedule a tour online.
