The three types of VA nursing homes, VA Community Living Centers, State Veterans Homes, and Community Nursing Homes, provide housing for veterans who have a medical need for nursing home services. VA nursing homes provide help with activities of daily living and skilled nursing care. Based on a veteran’s level of disability, income, and service history, copays can range from $0 to $97 a day. To be eligible for a VA nursing home, veterans must already be signed up for VA health care.
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Yes, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a variety of programs and benefits that help provide long-term care to veterans and eligible military-connected individuals.
The VA provides nursing home care through three types of facilities: VA Community Living Centers (CLCs), State Veterans Homes, and Community Nursing Homes. Each type of facility serves different needs:
Most VA nursing homes offer round-the-clock supervision, help with activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, eating), and skilled nursing services like medication administration, rehabilitative therapies, and wound care. Additional services may include mental health counseling, adult day care programs, and hospice care. These facilities aim to support both the physical and emotional well-being of veterans.
Like in most other senior living settings, residents in VA Community Living Centers can expect a wide range of group activities — games, movie nights, and social hours — as well as nutritious communal meals. A VA nursing home can also minimize both senior and caregiver stress by providing consistent housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance services.
To qualify for VA nursing home care, the following basic criteria must be met:
For the VA to determine that a patient requires VA nursing home services, health care professionals must identify a medical need. The VA defines this as “a care or a service that’s necessary to preserve, restore, or promote a veteran’s health.”[03]
Additionally, a veteran’s service-connected status, disability rating, insurance coverage, and income may affect eligibility for nursing home care and how much they are required to pay.
While the basic criteria above apply to all three types of VA nursing homes, there are additional eligibility requirements that differ slightly for each type. For example, some State Veterans Homes only admit veterans, while others may also admit nonveteran spouses and Gold Star parents.[02] Additionally, keep in mind that admission criteria for individual facilities may vary.
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Yes, some veterans may be eligible for free nursing home care, depending on their priority group and financial status. The VA assigns each veteran who enrolls in VA health care a priority group based on factors like their level of disability, household income, and service history.
Some veterans must also disclose additional information about their assets, income, deductible expenses, and dependents when applying for extended care services like nursing home care. All of this information is used to determine whether a veteran will need to pay copays and, if so, their amount. Extended care copays are unique in that they’re adjusted based on a veteran’s financial status. The maximum daily copay for nursing home care is $97 per day.[04]
While no veteran will pay for their first 21 days of nursing home care in any 12-month period, some veterans may be responsible for daily copays starting on day 22. Contributions from Medicare, Medicaid, or a senior’s private health insurance may help reduce these costs. Keep in mind a veteran’s copay responsibility is likely to change if their priority level or financial situation changes significantly.
The VA doesn’t cover nursing home care for nonveteran spouses, and Community Living Centers don’t admit spouses of veterans or surviving spouses. However, spouses of veterans may be eligible for admission to some State Veterans Homes, depending on availability and the veteran’s eligibility status.
Fortunately, the VA offers other benefits that may help cover nursing home costs for spouses, such as:
Some senior living communities may also offer military discounts, which usually extend to spouses of veterans and surviving spouses.
In order to get into a veterans nursing home, follow these steps:
The process of applying for a VA nursing home can be complicated, but a trustworthy expert can help. Call the VA at 800-698-2411, visit a local VA facility, or contact your state’s Department of Veterans Affairs for assistance.
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Generally, nursing home residents have serious and chronic mental or physical illnesses that demand a high level of care. Before submitting an application for a VA nursing home, consider whether the level of care offered by a nursing home best fits your loved one’s unique needs.
Though “nursing home” is often used as a catchall term, there are actually many different types of senior living. Older adults and their families should explore all available care options to find the right fit. Other options include assisted living, memory care, independent living, home care, and residential care homes.
In fact, A Place for Mom surveyed 100 families who contacted us seeking nursing homes for their relatives. After consulting with our Senior Living Advisors, 89 of those families determined that a nursing home wasn’t the right choice for their aging family member.
A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can answer your questions about senior living and help you decide what type of care is best for your loved one. They can also connect you with veteran-friendly senior care providers and schedule tours, all at no cost to your family.
No, VA nursing homes do not take all your money. However, some veterans may have to pay a copayment based on their priority rating and financial status.
The VA covers most of the cost of a VA nursing home for qualifying veterans. Even with the maximum copayment of $97 per day, it’s significantly less than the national median nursing home costs of $285 for a semi-private room and $320 for a private room.
Services include skilled nursing care, assistance with activities of daily living, physical therapy, medication management, wound care, mental health support, and specialized care for conditions like dementia.
Yes. Waiting lists are especially common for State Veterans Homes, but availability depends on location and the type of VA nursing home you choose.
Veterans and families can express preferences when choosing a nursing home, but where your loved one eventually ends up depends on various factors, including eligibility, availability, and care needs.
Yes, some VA nursing homes do offer memory care for veterans who have dementia. Availability may be more limited, however.
As with other senior living or health care settings, the VA nursing home will regularly assess residents’ needs and adjust their care plans.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, May 21). Community living centers (VA nursing homes).
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, February 27). State veterans homes.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2015, June 22). Health benefits glossary.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, December 20). Current VA health care copay rates.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, November 15). Survivors pension.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, July 18). VA aid and attendance benefits and housebound allowance.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024, November 15). About VA DIC for spouses, dependents, and parents.
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