Veterans long-term care benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays for long-term care services for veterans with service-related disabilities. The VA also pays for certain other eligible veterans and other health programs such as nursing home care and at-home care for aging veterans with long-term services and supports needs.

The VA pays for veterans who do not have service-related disabilities but cannot pay for their care. Co-pays may apply depending on the veteran’s income level.

The VA has two more programs to help veterans stay in their homes:

• Housebound Aid and Attendance Allowance Program — This program provides cash to eligible veterans with disabilities and their surviving spouses. They can use this cash to purchase a home and for community-based long-term services and supports such as help with personal care and homemaker services. The cash supplements the eligible veteran’s pension benefits.
• Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Services program (VD-HCBS) — This program is for eligible veterans of any age. Veterans receive a flexible budget to purchase services. The Aging Network partners with the VA to counsel and support veterans.