VA Coverage

In Skilled Nursing Facilities & Assisted Living Communities

SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES THAT ACCEPT VA CONTRACT

edina front lobby

Edenbrook Edina

Edina, MN

edenbrook rochester therapy gym

Edenbrook Rochester

Rochester, MN

edenbrook st cloud outdoor patio

Edenbrook St. Cloud

St. Cloud, MN

fair oaks lodge aerial picture

Fair Oaks Lodge

Wadena, MN

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Edenbrook Green Bay

Green Bay, WI

lakeside lobby picture

Edenbrook Lakeside

Milwaukee, WI

Edenbrook_Platteville-01

Edenbrook Platteville

Platteville, WI

lakeside lobby picture

Edenbrook Wisconsin Rapids

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Evansville manor resident room

Evansville Manor

Evansville, WI

If you are a veteran who is in need of skilled nursing or assisted living care, you may be wondering if the VA will cover these costs. The answer is yes – the VA does offer coverage for skilled nursing and assisted living care. However, for assisted living, the VA does not directly cover the cost of care. Instead, the VA provides a monthly stipend to help offset the cost of care. For skilled nursing, the VA does cover the cost of care on a case-by-case basis.

On this page, we will discuss the different types of VA coverage available for skilled nursing and assisted living care and the eligibility requirements for each type of coverage

VA & Skilled Nursing Facilities

Skilled nursing facilities are covered under the VA’s Health Care Benefits program. In order to be eligible for coverage, you must be enrolled in the VA health care system and have a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher. If you meet these requirements, the VA will cover up to 100 days of skilled nursing care per year.

Cost & Coverage

The cost of skilled nursing care can vary depending on the facility and the required level of care. However, the VA will cover up to $90 per day for skilled nursing care. The conditions for this coverage are that the care must be medically necessary and that a VA-approved skilled nursing facility must provide it.

Plus, the care must be related to your service-connected disability. For example, if you need skilled nursing care for a broken bone that is the result of your service-connected disability, the VA will cover it. But if you need skilled nursing care for a broken bone that is not related to your service-connected disability, the VA will not cover it.

Does the VA pay for skilled nursing?

The VA will pay for skilled nursing care if it is medically necessary and provided by a VA-approved skilled nursing facility. This means that the care must be related to your service-connected disability. 

How much does the VA pay for skilled nursing?

The cost of skilled nursing care can vary, but the VA will cover up to $90 per day. This is because skilled nursing care is seen as a medical necessity by the VA. This allowance is based on the pension rate for a veteran with a 100% disability rating.

Eligibility & Qualifications

Who is eligible for VA skilled nursing coverage?

To be eligible for VA skilled nursing coverage, you must be a Veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system. This means that you must have a VA health care card.

Plus, you must be:

  • Rated by the VA as having a service-connected disability
  • Actively receiving care for a service-connected condition
  • Rated by the VA as having a permanent and total disability

If you qualify for skilled nursing care, you will need to have a doctor order it. The doctor will also need to indicate how long you will need skilled nursing care.

Does the VA cover skilled nursing care for a spouse?

Yes, the VA covers skilled nursing care for a spouse. This is in consideration of the fact that many Veterans are married and their spouses may also need skilled nursing care.

Are surviving spouses eligible for VA skilled nursing coverage?

Yes, surviving spouses are eligible for VA skilled nursing coverage. This is a huge help for veterans and their families.

Does the VA cover skilled nursing care for a dependent?

The VA does not have a specific program to cover skilled nursing care for dependents, but they do offer some programs that can help. One example is the Veterans Aid and Attendance program, which provides financial assistance to veterans who need help paying for long-term care

senior and nurse walking at lake

VA & Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living communities provide a variety of services to their VA residents, including help with activities of daily living, meals, transportation, and more. Many assisted living communities also offer skilled nursing care.


The VA does not have a specific program to cover the cost of assisted living, but they do offer some programs that can help. One example is the Veterans Aid and Attendance program, which provides financial assistance to veterans who need help paying for long-term care.

Costs & Coverage

The cost of assisted living can vary widely, depending on the location and type of community. The VA does not have a set amount that they will cover for assisted living expenses. However, they may be able to help cover some of the costs if the veteran meets certain criteria.

To be eligible for VA benefits, veterans must have served at least 90 days of active duty service, with at least one day during a wartime period. Veterans must also have been honorably discharged from the military.

If you are a veteran or the spouse of a veteran and you think you may need assistance paying for assisted living, contact your local VA office to see if you qualify for any benefits.

Does the VA pay for assisted living?

No, the VA does not directly pay for assisted living. However, veterans may use the Aid and Attendance pension to cover a portion of the costs of assisted living.

The Aid and Attendance pension is a needs-based benefit available to veterans and their spouses who need assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, or eating. Veterans can receive up to $21,530 per year from the Aid and Attendance pension to help cover the costs of assisted living.

Since Aid and Attendance is a needs-based program, veterans must first prove that they require assistance with activities of daily living in order to qualify.

What does the VA cover assisted living?

As mentioned above, the VA does not directly pay for assisted living. However, veterans may use the Aid and Attendance pension to cover a portion of the costs associated with these services. The pension may cover costs such as room and board, activities of daily living, and transportation. 

How to apply for VA benefits for assisted living?

If you think you may be eligible for VA benefits, the first step is to contact your local VA office. From there, a caseworker will help you determine which benefits you are eligible for and walk you through the application process. The application process can be lengthy, so it’s important to get started as soon as possible. 

Are VA benefits for assisted living taxable?

No, VA benefits are not taxable. This is because the benefits are considered need-based. Need-based means that the benefits are given to those who need them in order to help cover the costs of their care. 

 

Eligibility & Qualifications

Who qualifies for VA benefits for Assisted Living?

In order to qualify for VA benefits, you must be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. You must also have a service-related disability. This means that your disability must be the result of your time in service.

You will also need to have a care plan from a doctor that outlines the level of care you need. This care plan must be approved by the VA in order for you to receive benefits.

If you think you may qualify for VA benefits, the best way to find out is to contact your local VA office. They will be able to help you determine if you are eligible and help you get started with the process.

Does the spouse of a veteran qualify for assisted living?

If the veteran is married, their spouse may also be eligible for benefits. The spouse must meet the same eligibility requirements as the veteran.

They will also need to have a care plan from a doctor that outlines the level of care they need. The VA must approve this care plan in order for them to receive benefits. Therefore, it is important to work with your local VA office from the beginning to ensure that you are taking the necessary steps to qualify for benefits.

Are dependents of veterans eligible for assisted living care?

In some cases, yes. If the veteran is unable to care for themselves and their spouse is also unable to provide care, then their dependent children may be eligible to receive benefits.

The child must be over the age of 18 and meet certain financial criteria in order to qualify. Again, it is important to work with your local VA office to determine if you are eligible for benefits.

 

 

What is the process for applying for VA benefits?

The first step is to contact your local VA office and set up an appointment. You will need to bring a copy of your military discharge papers, as well as any other documentation that may be required. Once you have gathered all of the necessary documentation, the VA will review your case and make a determination.

If you are approved for benefits, you will then need to work with your local VA office to determine how those benefits will be paid out. In some cases, benefits may be paid directly to the nursing home or assisted living facility. In other cases, benefits may be paid directly to the individual.

It is important to note that VA benefits are not automatic. You must apply and be approved for coverage before any benefits will be paid out. However, if you are eligible for coverage, the process is generally fairly straightforward.

If you or a loved one are in need of skilled nursing or assisted living care, be sure to check into VA coverage as a possible option. It may provide the financial assistance you need to make ends meet.

Conclusion

The Department of Veterans Affairs provides different benefits to those who have served our country. One of these benefits is coverage for skilled nursing and assisted living care. If you or a loved one are in need of this type of care, be sure to look into VA coverage as a possible option. It may provide the financial assistance you need to make ends meet.