Where to Begin

Veterans Benefits

If you’re a veteran or the spouse of a veteran, you may qualify for government assistance that can go toward some senior living expenses. Below are some of the programs built to support you.

VA Pension

One of the more widely known benefit programs is the VA Pension, which provides supplemental income to United States veterans and their families through the Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension benefit programs.

In order to qualify, the government says you need to meet the following requirements:

Generally, a veteran must have a minimum of 90 days of active duty service, with at least one day during a wartime period. If you entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally you must have served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions), with at least one day during a wartime period.

In addition to meeting these service requirements, you must be:

65 or older, OR
Totally and permanently disabled, OR
A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR
Receiving social security disability insurance, OR
Receiving supplemental security income

Finally, your yearly family income must be less than the amount set by Congress.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

VA Pension

In order to qualify, the government says you need to meet the following requirements:

In addition to meeting these service requirements, you must be:

65 or older, OR
Totally and permanently disabled, OR
A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR
Receiving social security disability insurance, OR
Receiving supplemental security income

Finally, your yearly family income must be less than the amount set by Congress.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Who Qualifies for VA Benefits for Assisted Living?

If you or your loved one have served in the U.S. military, VA benefits may help cover the cost of senior living. The Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly financial resource designed to help with the cost of long-term care. It can offer added peace of mind while supporting daily life in a senior living community.

Who Qualifies for VA Benefits for Assisted Living?

What is the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit?

Aid and Attendance is a VA pension add-on that helps eligible veterans and their spouses pay for long-term care—including assisted living.

This benefit may be used toward services such as:

Support with bathing, dressing and medication management
Help with meals and housekeeping
Daily care delivered in a licensed assisted living setting
24/7 staff presence for added security

The benefit is paid directly to you or your loved one and can be used toward the cost of care in a qualified community.

What is the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit?

Aid and Attendance is a VA pension add-on that helps eligible veterans and their spouses pay for long-term care—including assisted living.

This benefit may be used toward services such as:

Support with bathing, dressing and medication management
Help with meals and housekeeping
Daily care delivered in a licensed assisted living setting
24/7 staff presence for added security

The benefit is paid directly to you or your loved one and can be used toward the cost of care in a qualified community.

How Much Can Veterans Receive in Benefits?

Monthly amounts vary based on your circumstances. Current estimates from Patriot Angels show:

Up to $2,358/month for a single veteran
Up to $2,795/month for a married veteran
Up to $1,515/month for a surviving spouse
Up to $3,740/month for two married veterans

These funds can help offset assisted living costs and support greater flexibility when choosing care.

How Much Can Veterans Receive in Benefits?

Monthly amounts vary based on your circumstances. Current estimates from Patriot Angels show:

Up to $2,358/month for a single veteran
Up to $2,795/month for a married veteran
Up to $1,515/month for a surviving spouse
Up to $3,740/month for two married veterans

These funds can help offset assisted living costs and support greater flexibility when choosing care.

Can I Use These VA Benefits in Independent Living?

VA Aid & Attendance (A&A)

If you need help with personal tasks like bathing, dressing or managing medications, Aid and Attendance may apply. This benefit adds extra funds to your VA pension and is commonly used for:

Assisted Living
Memory Care
Independent Living (when support services are needed)

Can I Use These VA Benefits in Independent Living?

VA Aid & Attendance (A&A)

If you need help with personal tasks like bathing, dressing or managing medications, Aid and Attendance may apply. This benefit adds extra funds to your VA pension and is commonly used for:

Assisted Living
Memory Care
Independent Living (when support services are needed)

What Can My Veterans Benefits Cover If I Move Into an IL, AL or MC Community?

You’ve served your country and now it's your turn to be supported

If you're a veteran or a surviving spouse, moving into a senior living community may be more affordable than you realize. Benefits like Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance (VA A&A) Survivors Pension and Veterans Administration Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) can help cover the cost of Independent Living (IL), Assisted Living (AL) or Memory Care (MC).

You’ve earned these benefits—let’s put them to work

Many veterans and families discover there is more support available through the VA than they realized. Support like this can go a long way—and may open the door for more care choices, comfort and independence. These benefits can cover:

Basic senior living rent or service fees
Personal care like bathing, dressing and mobility
Medication reminders and oversight
Nutritious meals, housekeeping and transportation
Cognitive support in Memory Care settings

Even more support at Brookdale

We honor your service in meaningful ways. Communities may offer:

7.5% off monthly service fees in IL, AL and MC
10% off personal assistance services
Discounts on short-term stays and respite care
Support for spouses, children, in-laws and other extended family
Veterans events, pinning ceremonies and peer groups

Brookdale is a place where community supports you and where your story is respected.

What Can My Veterans Benefits Cover If I Move Into an IL, AL or MC Community?

You’ve served your country and now it's your turn to be supported

You’ve earned these benefits—let’s put them to work

Basic senior living rent or service fees
Personal care like bathing, dressing and mobility
Medication reminders and oversight
Nutritious meals, housekeeping and transportation
Cognitive support in Memory Care settings

Even more support at Brookdale

We honor your service in meaningful ways. Communities may offer:

7.5% off monthly service fees in IL, AL and MC
10% off personal assistance services
Discounts on short-term stays and respite care
Support for spouses, children, in-laws and other extended family
Veterans events, pinning ceremonies and peer groups

Brookdale is a place where community supports you and where your story is respected.

Are There Benefits for VA Surviving Spouses?

Yes—you can get support through the VA survivors pension, the Aid and Attendance benefit and the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation if you qualify. Some of these benefits may be restricted to funding certain types of care.

How do I know if I qualify for the VA survivors pension?

You may qualify for the VA survivors pension if you have not remarried, if your spouse did not receive a dishonorable discharge and if your yearly family income is below a certain amount set by congress. Plus, your spouse must have:

Entered active duty on or before September 7, 1980 and served at least 90 days on active military service with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period, or
Entered active duty after September 7, 1980 and served at least 24 months or the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period, or
Been an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981 and hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months

The amount of your pension changes each year in January when Cost-of-Living adjustments (COLA) are made. Learn more about the VA survivors pension from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

How do I know if I qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit as a surviving spouse?

If you qualify for the VA survivors pension, are over 65 and spend the majority of your monthly income on health care you may qualify for Aid and Attendance. You can also qualify if you are under 65 if you are permanently disabled.

This additional funding can be used for in-home care or certain assistance with daily living that takes place in a senior living community.

How do I know if I qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?

If your spouse died in the line of duty, died from a service-related injury or illness, or had a service-related disability for a certain amount of time before their death, you likely qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

You must also meet certain income requirements and your marriage must meet certain criteria for you to be eligible.

If you are eligible for both DIC and the survivors pension, you can receive the single benefit that pays more.

Learn more about DIC from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Are There Benefits for VA Surviving Spouses?

How do I know if I qualify for the VA survivors pension?

Entered active duty on or before September 7, 1980 and served at least 90 days on active military service with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period, or
Entered active duty after September 7, 1980 and served at least 24 months or the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during a covered wartime period, or
Been an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981 and hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months

The amount of your pension changes each year in January when Cost-of-Living adjustments (COLA) are made. Learn more about the VA survivors pension from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

How do I know if I qualify for the Aid and Attendance benefit as a surviving spouse?

This additional funding can be used for in-home care or certain assistance with daily living that takes place in a senior living community.

How do I know if I qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation?

You must also meet certain income requirements and your marriage must meet certain criteria for you to be eligible.

If you are eligible for both DIC and the survivors pension, you can receive the single benefit that pays more.

Learn more about DIC from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Survivors Pension

The Survivors Pension benefit, also known as the Death Pension, provides a tax-free benefit to low-income, unremarried surviving spouses (and/or unmarried children) of a deceased veteran with wartime service. The pension amount is based on your annual family income, which must be less than the amount set by Congress.

Eligibility for this benefit requires the deceased veteran to meet the same requirements of the VA Pension. The spouse can access this benefit at any age, as long as they remain unmarried and meet the low-income requirements.

In order for children of a deceased veteran with wartime service to qualify for this benefit, they must be:

Under age 18, OR
Under age 23 if attending a VA-approved school, OR
Permanently incapable of self-support due to a disability before age 18

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Survivors Pension

In order for children of a deceased veteran with wartime service to qualify for this benefit, they must be:

Under age 18, OR
Under age 23 if attending a VA-approved school, OR
Permanently incapable of self-support due to a disability before age 18

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Who Do I Contact About VA Benefits?

If you’re navigating VA benefits and healthcare, there’s help available to you—to connect with someone who can guide you through this process, you can:

Call the US Department of Veterans Affairs toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET
Browse the US Department of Veterans Affairs website
Go to a VA Regional Benefit Office near you
Reach out to your VA social worker

You can also reach out to an accredited attorney, claims agent or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative for additional help with filing claims or requesting decision reviews. VSO services are free and are usually supported by organizations like The American Legion.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs can help you find a representative on their website.

Who do I contact about veterans in senior living?

Our senior living advisors can help you navigate planning your retirement. They understand your unique needs as a veteran and can provide you with personalized guidance. You deserve support that fits your journey—let’s take the next step together.

Who Do I Contact About VA Benefits?

If you’re navigating VA benefits and healthcare, there’s help available to you—to connect with someone who can guide you through this process, you can:

Call the US Department of Veterans Affairs toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET
Browse the US Department of Veterans Affairs website
Go to a VA Regional Benefit Office near you
Reach out to your VA social worker

The US Department of Veterans Affairs can help you find a representative on their website.

Who do I contact about veterans in senior living?

Applying for Financial Assistance

Depending on your individual circumstances and the benefit you want to apply for, you may need a variety of documents and forms. You can find the most current information you need to apply at the VA website.

You can also visit your local regional benefit office to speak to a representative and receive advice on what you might qualify for and how to apply. If you're unsure where your local regional office is, you can check out the VA Facility Locator.

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