Making the decision to enter into assisted living is never easy. But, it’s necessary for elderly veterans who need a stable, safe, and caring environment that provides 24/7 assistance. Assisted living facilities are a crucial resource for aging veterans, but paying for them might be a bit tricky. Fortunately, there are several assisted living benefits for veterans that can cover the costs of rent for a residential living facility. Here is a breakdown of what those benefits are and other options to pay for assisted living for veterans.
What is Assisted Living?
Before diving into the benefits, let’s first define what assisted living is. Assisted living is a type of housing option for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need assistance with daily tasks. These are known as ADLs, or activities of daily living, and include things like:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Taking medications
- Eating
Unlike nursing homes, which provide medical care in addition to help with ADLs, assisted living facilities encourage a level of independence while still providing assistance and support when needed.
Most assisted living facilities will have 24/7 staff on hand to help with group activities, ADLs, and for emergency medical needs. But, residents are still able to independently work on hobbies, do chores, and participate in social activities.
Paying for Assisted Living for Veterans
Assisted living might not be deemed medically necessary, especially since veterans are still independent to a certain degree. That being said, some benefits, such as medical benefits that cover the cost of nursing home care, might not apply to assisted living.
Luckily, there are other options for veterans to pay for assisted living. Here are some of the most common benefits and resources available.
Veterans’ Pensions
Pensions are an amazing way for veterans to pay for rent for assisted living facilities, which can cost upwards of $5,000 a month according to Genworth Surveys. This number varies greatly based on the state, level of care, and type of facility. Retirement pensions vary based on your military career, length of service, and income levels.
Active Duty Retirement Pension
A veteran’s retirement pension offers a monthly income based on prior service. Pensions will vary greatly depending on your length of service, earnings during your military career, and when you served. If you served 20 years or more during these time periods, these are the pension plans you or your loved one are eligible for:
- Before January 1, 2006 – The legacy/high 36 retirement system
- Between Jan 1, 2006, and December 31, 2017 – The legacy/high 36 Blended Retirement System (BRS)
- After December 31, 2017 – BRS
The ‘Legacy’ or ‘High 36’ Retirement System is based on an average of your highest 36 months of basic pay. The drawback is that the government does not match your contributions to the Thrift Savings plan. In the Blended Retirement System (BRS), the government does match your contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan up to 4%. You will also receive a pension based on an average of your highest 36 months of basic pay.
VA Pension
Not all veterans will qualify for a retirement pension. This includes veterans whose careers ended early before 20 years of service. Fortunately, the VA also offers a VA Pension to help veterans in need. To qualify, veterans must meet eligibility requirements including:
- Have low income
- Served during a wartime period
- Don’t have a dishonorable discharge
- Are older than 65 or have a disability or are receiving social security disability or SSI
If any of these apply to you or a loved one, apply for VA Pension benefits as soon as possible. Whether you use your VA Pension or a pension from your military service, these are valuable streams of income that can help give you peace of mind when paying for assisted living for veterans.
Disability Compensation
VA Disability Compensation is awarded to veterans who were disabled due to an injury incurred during their military service. In addition to physical injuries, injuries can also include mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The amount of compensation received is based on the severity of the disability and how much it affects daily life. VA disability rates ranges from 0% to 100%, with 100% being the most life-impacting and providing the highest amount of compensation.
If you or your loved one have not filed for VA disability, do so as soon as possible. You will receive backpay from the date of filing, and from then on a monthly compensation to go toward any assisted living or other expenses.
If you’re having trouble getting the VA to accept your claim, consider hiring an attorney or working with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) at your local VA Medical Center. VSOs and attorneys can help walk you through the process and increase the chances of your claim being approved.
Finding Help Paying for Assisted Living
These assisted living benefits are only some of the many streams of income that can help veterans pay for long-term care. Federal medicare, state medicaid, private insurance, and long-term insurance can all be utilized to help pay for assisted living costs. There are also non-profit organizations and charities dedicated to assisting veterans with long-term care expenses.
Whether you or a loved one are in need of assisted living, know that there are tons of resources available to help make it more affordable. Don’t hesitate to reach out and get the support you need. Veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and it’s important that they receive the care and assistance they deserve in their golden years.
About the Author
Mark Gladden is the Founder and CEO of Present Moments Senior Living, a cozy and comfortable family-run and Veteran-owned assisted living facility in San Diego. As a proud veteran, he understands how important it is to provide quality care for those who have served our country. Mark and his team are dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for all their residents, including veterans. For more information, call Present Moments Senior Living today at (442) 232-2824.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
