While the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doesn’t directly pay for assisted living, it does offer some benefits that can help offset the cost. Many seniors and families are often surprised by the range of options—from pensions to disability compensation. These VA benefits have varying eligibility requirements, so getting help with the application process can make a big difference. Continue reading to learn about which VA benefits can be used for assisted living and what you need to qualify.
Do VA Benefits Pay for Assisted Living?
No, VA benefits do not pay for assisted living directly and typically don’t cover the full monthly cost of assisted living. However, VA benefits can be used to pay for a veteran’s care needs in an assisted living community. This includes care services like assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, or medication management.
Benefits don’t usually cover other community costs like room and board, extra activities, or other fees.
Who Qualifies for VA Benefits for Assisted Living?
Veterans, their surviving spouses, and children may qualify for VA benefits for assisted living. However, the veteran must meet the following eligibility requirements to qualify for VA benefits:
- Service record. To be eligible, veterans need to have an honorable discharge. Some benefits may require that the veteran has served during a period of war.
- Medical necessity. Veterans must demonstrate a medical need for care services or have a documented disability.
- Financial eligibility. This often requires documentation of limited income as well as limited assets.
Do Spouses Qualify for VA Benefits for Assisted Living?
Yes, many surviving spouses of veterans qualify for VA benefits, like the Survivors Pension, that can be used to cover the cost of assisted living. However, they must also meet eligibility requirements.
Requirements vary by benefit, but these are the most common:
- The surviving spouse cannot have remarried.
- The surviving spouse must demonstrate a financial need.
- The late veteran cannot have received a dishonorable discharge.
- The late veteran may need to have served during a period of war.
Which VA Benefits Help Cover Assisted Living Costs?
Many VA benefits are tax-free payments that can be used in any way the veteran or spouse would like, including assisted living.
VA Health Benefits for Long-Term Care
Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care may qualify for long-term care services in an assisted living community as part of their standard health benefits. These services include:
- Assistance with ADLs like bathing or preparing meals
- Palliative care
- Physical therapy
- Respite care for family caregivers
The VA specifies that veterans can receive long-term support in an assisted living community through VA health care. However, VA health care must agree that the veteran needs a specific service or support as part of their care, and the community must have space available.
VA health care also considers things like service-connected disability status and other health insurance coverage when making a decision.
To be eligible for VA health care benefits, veterans must have served in active duty and not have received a dishonorable discharge. Veterans can apply for VA health care online.
VA Pension and Aid & Attendance
Beyond health care, senior veterans over 65 may be eligible for a tax-free Veterans Pension benefit if they meet these program requirements:
- Have a yearly income and net worth below the low-income requirements set by Congress
- Have not received a dishonorable discharge
- Served one day during wartime
The Aid and Attendance benefit can also be added to an existing VA pension for seniors who require caregiver assistance, making it one of the most generous benefits available. To be eligible, veterans must meet one of these requirements:
- Have limited eyesight
- Require assistance with daily activities like bathing or feeding
- Live in a nursing home
- Spend most of their time in bed due to illness
Veterans can use funds from their veterans pension and Aid and Attendance benefit in any way they choose. Because needing caregiver assistance is one way to qualify for Aid and Attendance, many seniors use this VA benefit to help cover assisted living costs.
Keep in mind that pension rates vary based on dependents. In 2025, a veteran with no dependents can receive a maximum annual pension of $16,965 while a veteran with one dependent qualifies for up to $22,216.
For Aid and Attendance, the amounts are higher. A veteran with no dependents can receive a pension of up to $28,300 annually, while a veteran with one dependent may receive $33,548.
VA Disability Compensation
The VA offers disability benefits for veterans with a service-related condition, which means they have an injury or illness caused or made worse by their active service.
Many seniors may not realize they qualify for disability compensation, especially if they have a “presumptive condition”—a condition the VA assumes was caused by military service. Examples include common conditions like high blood pressure or arthritis. The VA considers a condition presumptive if the chronic illness begins within one year of discharge.
To determine each veteran’s disability compensation, the VA use a disability rating system. These ratings are percentages that reflect how much a disability affects a veteran’s overall health. For example, a 10% rating indicates a smaller impact and results in less compensation than a higher rating.
Although the process may seem complicated, veterans should apply for disability compensation if they’re eligible. This benefit isn’t based on financial need and doesn’t require a wartime service record, making it accessible to many veterans. It can provide essential funds for those who don’t meet VA pension income requirements.
If a veteran qualifies for both a pension and disability compensation, the VA will only pay for the benefit that offers the higher amount.
VA Survivors Pension
The Survivors Pension is a tax-free benefit exclusively for a surviving spouse or qualifying child of a late veteran and it can be used to help pay for assisted living.
To qualify as a surviving spouse, you or your loved one must not have remarried and must meet the income and net worth limits set by Congress. The late veteran must have received an honorable discharge and served at least one day during a wartime period.
A late veteran’s child may be eligible for the Survivors Pension if they were disabled before age 18 and cannot care for themselves due to the disability.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
The Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is another tax-free benefit for a surviving spouse or child of a late veteran. To be eligible, the late veteran must have died from a service-related illness or injury, or in the line of duty.
To qualify for DIC, a surviving spouse must:
- Have lived with the veteran until their death, or, if separated, not have been at fault for the separation
- Have been married to the veteran or had a child with the veteran
- Meet the remarriage age requirement, if applicable
In 2025, the surviving spouse can receive a monthly payment of $1,653. If the late veteran had a child who became disabled before age 18 and is unable to take care of themselves, that child may receive a monthly payment of $697.
How Does One Apply for VA Benefits for Assisted Living?
The VA benefits application process can feel overwhelming, but there are several resources that can help. The VA recommends working with an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative, attorney, or the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). These professionals can help you:
- Determine which benefits you qualify for
- Help you complete and submit applications
- Assisted with appeals for denied claims, if necessary
Follow these steps to get started with your VA benefits application process:
- Find an accredited VSO in your area using the VA’s official database. These organizations and individuals are trained by the VA to provide free services to veterans and their families.
- Review the VBA's benefits guide, which includes application instructions and details on benefit programs. You can also review their information on benefits geared toward elderly veterans.
- Gather required documents such as discharge papers, income information, and medical records before applying.
Maximizing VA Benefits for Veterans and Spouses
Some, but not all, benefits can be combined. An accredited representative can help you maximize your benefit amount. For example, the Aid and Attendance benefit is always added to an existing VA pension.
Since many VA benefits have a financial need component, you may want to plan on spending down your assets until you’re eligible for those benefits.
For instance, a senior veteran who qualifies for disability compensation can claim this benefit at any time because it doesn’t have a financial requirement. After paying for assisted living with this benefit and personal funds, they may meet the income requirements to qualify for a pension or the Aid and Attendance benefit.
Please note: Every situation is unique, and the above situation is just an example. It’s highly recommended to work with a VA-accredited representative to help ensure you receive the highest possible benefit amount.
How Sunrise Supports Veterans
Sunrise Senior Living proudly serves senior veterans and our communities are home to many of our nation’s heroes. To help veterans and their families understand their payment options, we’ve previously partnered with Aid & Attendance and ElderLife Financial to host a VA benefit webinar.
If you have questions about paying for assisted living with VA benefits—or want to learn how we make veterans feel at home in our communities—reach out to your nearest Sunrise community to get the conversation started.
References
[1] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025, March 17). Nursing homes, assisted living, and home health care.
[2] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025, July 18). Eligibility for veterans pension.
[3] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025, July 15). Eligibility for VA health care.
[4] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, December 2). Current pension rates for veterans.
[5] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025, April 23). Eligibility for VA disability benefits.
[6] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, September 18). Disabilities that appear within 1 year after discharge.
[7] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, November 5). About disability ratings.
[8] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 13). How are pension benefits and disability compensation different?
[9] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025, July 18). Survivors pension.
[10] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025, September 30). About VA DIC for spouses, dependents, and parents.
[11] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2025, June 10). Current DIC rates for spouses and dependents.