Veterans Benefits for Assisted Living: Understanding Eligibility and Support 

Our veterans deserve to live their golden years with dignity, respect, and support. Many United States Armed Forces veterans and their spouses qualify for veterans benefits for assisted living through the government and Veterans Affairs. 

While navigating these benefits can be challenging, the reward of living in a vibrant community is what awaits at the Mission at Agua Fria Senior Living. We offer this guide to help you understand eligibility, the type of care you can expect, and how to ensure access to comprehensive care without financial burdens. 

Eligibility and Application Requirements

Veterans benefits for assisted living are accessible through the Veterans Administration for those who qualify. While assisted living is not a skilled nursing level of care, some qualifications and resources help pay for these costs. The first place to start to find out more information is the Veterans Administration website.

According to the VA website, a veteran who served in active military, naval, or air service or surviving spouse may qualify for VA healthcare benefits and additional pension benefits known as the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. These benefits help cover the cost of assisted living, providing a monthly stipend that can help cover the cost of assisted living. 

You must meet several qualifications to apply; for complete details of qualifications, visit the VA website. For those applying for the VA Aid and Attendance benefits, there are additional criteria you would need to meet to prove the need for assisted living services. 

The person applying for this benefit would need: 

• another person to help you with bathing, feeding, dressing, mobility, dressing
• to spend a large portion of the day in bed because of illness or disability
• to be a patient in a skilled nursing home due to disability
• limited eyesight falling within specific parameters

Before applying, you’ll need to gather a number of financial and military records. There are specific items the VA needs for your application, like your or your spouse’s social security number, military discharge papers, and insurance information, including Medicare or any private/employer-sponsored insurance. You will also need to have your tax records for the past year, including your gross household income and deductible expenses such as health care and mortgage interest costs. They may also want this year’s current income and expenses as well. 

You must also gather documentation substantiating your need to live in assisted living. This includes a doctor’s report, details about how you currently get to places, and documentation of any illness, injury, or disability that affects your ability to care for yourself without assistance. 

Visit the VA website for a complete list of needed documentation and applications. 

Care and Support When Needed

Assisted living provides the support veterans need when they need it. For those who need assistance with daily living activities like grooming, medication, and mobility, assisted living can make a huge difference in their lives. Providing this type of support gives veterans the freedom to experience and live life to the fullest while also getting care specific to their needs. 

Assisted living communities like the Mission at Agua Fria Senior Living have on-site medical staff specializing in veterans’ needs. Living in a community with others who have also served provides much-needed social connection and genuine camaraderie. 

Assisted living offers an enriching lifestyle with plenty of social and recreational activities onsite, healthy and nutritious meals, and a wide range of amenities. Support animals visit often, and our community allows furry friends to live with our residents. Amenities like daily transportation allow residents to attend medical appointments or explore the surrounding community. On-site counseling and support groups specific to veterans give them the support they need in an environment where they can thrive. 

For those navigating Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, memory care is an excellent option. Memory care is a specific type of assisted living that tailors specific needs to each individual. Memory care gives the benefits of assisted living in a safe, secure, calming environment with staff specifically trained to deal with the challenges residents face. 

While a little more secure, this doesn’t mean the residents don’t get to enjoy activities inside and outside of the community. It just means they’re a little safer and have a supportive team to back them up. 

Navigating Your Benefits

Navigating your benefits can be challenging, but there is support to help walk you through the process. The first step is to apply for benefits, and you can start that process directly on the VA website. 

If you need help filling out the application, call the main information line at 800-698-2411. If you need assistance gathering your information or filling out the application, you can search for a local Veterans Service Organization certified to help you. You can also apply in person at the nearest VA Medical Center or your state’s Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Many community and state-sponsored programs are out there to help veterans avoid any undue financial burdens. These programs help cover assisted living costs if the Aid and Attendance benefit doesn’t cover the total cost. Under the Community Residential Care (CRC) Program, veterans can get financial assistance through state programs to help cover the costs. In states like Arizona, the Arizona Long Term Care Services Program is funded by a special program through Medicaid to cover the costs of assisted living. If you have a social worker, they can also help you access these benefits. 

Here at the Mission at Agua Fria, our team of Community Benefit Advocates can help support you as you navigate your options. Don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d also love to show you our community. Reach out and give us a call anytime to get a special tour and even share a meal with us. We’d love to show you what we mean when we say we want you to live well and enjoy your life.