How to Afford Senior Housing: Unlocking Veterans Benefits and More
One of the biggest concerns families face when searching for senior housing is, “How can we afford this?” With costs ranging from $2,500 to over $8,000 per month, senior living can quickly become overwhelming, and unfortunately, many people don’t plan for it.
However, there are options available to make quality care accessible—especially for veterans and their spouses. At Concierge Care Advisors, we’ve built a legacy of helping families afford the best care possible through programs like our Concierge Care Samaritans Program. While Medicaid is one solution, many veterans are unaware they may qualify for Veterans Benefits to help cover long-term care costs.
Veterans Benefits: A Hidden Resource for Senior Care
According to the Senior Veterans Service Alliance, 10 million veterans are eligible for benefits, but only 543,000 are receiving them—a shocking gap. There are two common reasons veterans miss out on these essential funds:
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They are unaware of their veteran status.
- Surviving spouses of veterans may qualify, but many don’t realize they are eligible.
- Spouses of living veterans may also qualify if their partner has a chronic health condition or is legally housebound.
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They don’t know how to access their benefits.
- Veterans who served during wartime—even if not in combat—may qualify if they served at least 90 days during a declared war and were honorably discharged.
- One exception involves the Vietnam War/Era, where service is recognized even though no official declaration of war was made.
If you’re unsure about eligibility, we can help you navigate the system to determine whether you or your loved one qualifies for benefits.
What Are the Veterans Pension and Aid & Attendance Benefits?
The Veterans Pension and Aid & Attendance benefits are designed to help veterans and their spouses cover long-term care costs. These funds can be used for medical expenses related to senior care, including assisted living or home care services.
To qualify, veterans or their spouses must pass two assessments:
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Income Test:
- The government sets income thresholds based on family size and medical expenses. In past years, annual household income limits were around $16,569, though special circumstances may allow monthly incomes up to $6,000.
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Asset Test:
- Veterans representatives review total assets, with most approvals granted to applicants with assets below $20,000. This decision is subjective and varies by case, so it’s important to understand how to present your application effectively.
Understanding the Maximum Allowable Pension Rate (MAPR)
The MAPR is based on the veteran’s income, assets, and living situation. Below is an overview of the monthly benefit ranges:
- Veteran with spouse (no allowances): $0 to $1,381
- Veteran with spouse (housebound allowance): $0 to $1,615
- Veteran with spouse (Aid & Attendance): $0 to $2,085
- Single veteran (no allowances): $0 to $1,054
- Single veteran (housebound allowance): $0 to $1,615
- Single veteran (Aid & Attendance): $0 to $1,759
- Surviving spouse (no allowances): $0 to $707
- Surviving spouse (housebound allowance): $0 to $864
- Surviving spouse (Aid & Attendance): $0 to $1,130
These funds are critical in helping veterans afford senior housing and long-term care. Unfortunately, many benefits go unclaimed simply because eligible individuals don’t know they qualify or don’t know how to apply.
Let Concierge Care Advisors Help You Unlock Veterans Benefits
Navigating the Veterans Pension and Aid & Attendance programs can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Concierge Care Advisors, we specialize in guiding veterans and their families through the application process so they can access the care they deserve.
Call to Action: Get the Care You Deserve
If you or a loved one is a veteran or a surviving spouse, contact us today at 1-855-444-7364 for help navigating veterans benefits. Our team will ensure you understand your options and get the support you need to cover senior housing and care expenses. These benefits are reserved for you—don’t let them go unclaimed!
