Home Care Agencies
Senior Living Communities
Many Veterans and their families are unaware of the benefits available to them, especially when it relates to paying for senior living and senior care later in life. Navigating the VA system can be challenging, with complex rules and requirements. Helping senior Veterans navigate finding care and receiving applicable VA benefits is an important way to help them be able to make a choice to move into a facility sooner or stay at home longer.
The Aid and Attendance benefit is designed to provide financial assistance to Veterans and their spouses who need assistance with daily living activities or require care in a protective environment. The program was created with the goal of supplementing the cost of care for Veterans as they age.
The VA may provide financial assistance to eligible Veterans and surviving spouses, with the following monthly amounts:
Single Veteran: Up to $2,229
Married Veteran: Up to $2,642
Surviving Spouse: Up to $1,432
Two Married Veterans: Up to $3,536
This financial support can significantly contribute to covering the expenses of senior care or senior living. As Social Security benefits increase, these amounts may also rise, offering even more financial assistance.
The eligibility criteria for VA benefits to cover senior living and care can be slightly complex in nature, and eligibility periods may be based on the specific conflict. Veterans or their spouses can qualify if they meet the following conditions:
The Veteran must be at least 65 years of age or 100% disabled. Even if they are under 65 but unable to work due to a disability, they may still be eligible.
They must have served at least 90 days of active duty during their military service, excluding training periods.
At least one of these active duty days must have occurred during a declared wartime period, such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or the Persian Gulf.
The Veteran must have received an honorable, medical, or general discharge.
Widows can also qualify for these benefits, regardless of their age, if they were married to the Veteran for at least one year, even if that year was at the end of the Veteran's life, and if they remain single.
VA benefits can be applied to various types of care, including:
Skilled nursing care (private pay only)
Independent living*
Assisted living
Memory care
In-home care
Adult day care
Paying a non-spousal family caregiver (spouses cannot be paid)
*Independent living communities must meet specific criteria, such as having 24-hour caregivers or providing evidence that the client receives at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These ADLs can be administered by a third party, including family members.
Many Veterans and their families are unaware of these benefits due to a lack of information and the complex application process. Many Veterans who left the military when they were young may not remember or know that some of these benefits exist. There are several ways senior living and senior care partners can help Veterans and their families in accessing these VA benefits.
Identify Eligible Individuals: Ask potential residents or their families if they are Veterans or widows and if they meet the criteria for VA benefits.
Encourage Contact with the VA: Advise eligible individuals to contact the VA to explore their options and initiate the process.
Understand the Application Process: Familiarize yourself with the VA application process to provide guidance to residents and their families.
Offer Support: Offer support to residents and their families throughout the application process to ensure a smooth and successful outcome.
Whether you have helped veterans and their families navigate the search for care or haven’t been sure where to start, any help in this complex process can make a difference.
If you have any questions or would like more information about how working with Caring.com can help you support your residents and put you in touch with organizations like Patriot Angels (who specializes in assisting veterans with VA benefits applications) reach out to us at sales@caring.com or call us at (888) 808-0453.
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Home Care Agencies
Senior Living Communities
Many Veterans and their families are unaware of the benefits available to them, especially when it relates to paying for senior living and senior care later in life. Navigating the VA system can be challenging, with complex rules and requirements. Helping senior Veterans navigate finding care and receiving applicable VA benefits is an important way to help them be able to make a choice to move into a facility sooner or stay at home longer.
The Aid and Attendance benefit is designed to provide financial assistance to Veterans and their spouses who need assistance with daily living activities or require care in a protective environment. The program was created with the goal of supplementing the cost of care for Veterans as they age.
The VA may provide financial assistance to eligible Veterans and surviving spouses, with the following monthly amounts:
Single Veteran: Up to $2,229
Married Veteran: Up to $2,642
Surviving Spouse: Up to $1,432
Two Married Veterans: Up to $3,536
This financial support can significantly contribute to covering the expenses of senior care or senior living. As Social Security benefits increase, these amounts may also rise, offering even more financial assistance.
The eligibility criteria for VA benefits to cover senior living and care can be slightly complex in nature, and eligibility periods may be based on the specific conflict. Veterans or their spouses can qualify if they meet the following conditions:
The Veteran must be at least 65 years of age or 100% disabled. Even if they are under 65 but unable to work due to a disability, they may still be eligible.
They must have served at least 90 days of active duty during their military service, excluding training periods.
At least one of these active duty days must have occurred during a declared wartime period, such as World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or the Persian Gulf.
The Veteran must have received an honorable, medical, or general discharge.
Widows can also qualify for these benefits, regardless of their age, if they were married to the Veteran for at least one year, even if that year was at the end of the Veteran's life, and if they remain single.
VA benefits can be applied to various types of care, including:
Skilled nursing care (private pay only)
Independent living*
Assisted living
Memory care
In-home care
Adult day care
Paying a non-spousal family caregiver (spouses cannot be paid)
*Independent living communities must meet specific criteria, such as having 24-hour caregivers or providing evidence that the client receives at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These ADLs can be administered by a third party, including family members.
Many Veterans and their families are unaware of these benefits due to a lack of information and the complex application process. Many Veterans who left the military when they were young may not remember or know that some of these benefits exist. There are several ways senior living and senior care partners can help Veterans and their families in accessing these VA benefits.
Identify Eligible Individuals: Ask potential residents or their families if they are Veterans or widows and if they meet the criteria for VA benefits.
Encourage Contact with the VA: Advise eligible individuals to contact the VA to explore their options and initiate the process.
Understand the Application Process: Familiarize yourself with the VA application process to provide guidance to residents and their families.
Offer Support: Offer support to residents and their families throughout the application process to ensure a smooth and successful outcome.
Whether you have helped veterans and their families navigate the search for care or haven’t been sure where to start, any help in this complex process can make a difference.
If you have any questions or would like more information about how working with Caring.com can help you support your residents and put you in touch with organizations like Patriot Angels (who specializes in assisting veterans with VA benefits applications) reach out to us at sales@caring.com or call us at (888) 808-0453.
