VA benefits for senior care in Maryland can cover more than most families realize, from home-based medical care to nursing homes and monthly cash payments. If your loved one is a veteran, the challenge usually isn't eligibility. It's knowing what to ask for.

This guide covers every VA program that helps pay for or provide senior care, how to access them in Maryland, and what happens when VA care isn't enough on its own.

In This Guide

VA Senior Care Programs: Long-Term Care Options

The VA offers multiple long-term care programs. Eligibility for each depends on the veteran's enrollment priority group, service-connected disabilities, and clinical need.

Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)

A VA physician supervises a health care team that visits the veteran at home. HBPC is designed for veterans with complex medical needs who have difficulty getting to a clinic regularly. The team typically includes a doctor, nurse, social worker, and may include rehabilitation therapists and a dietitian.

This isn't the same as home health care through Medicare. HBPC provides ongoing, coordinated primary care at home, not just short-term skilled visits. For veterans who qualify, it's one of the best programs the VA offers.

Adult Day Health Care

Veterans attend a structured daytime program that provides health monitoring, social activities, rehabilitation services, and meals. It also gives family caregivers reliable daytime respite. Programs may be at VA facilities or contracted community adult day centers.

Community Living Centers (VA Nursing Homes)

Community Living Centers are VA-run nursing homes providing full nursing facility care, including help with daily activities and skilled nursing. There are over 100 CLCs across the country, located at and near larger VA medical centers. Maryland veterans can access CLC care through the VA Maryland Health Care System.

CLCs serve veterans who need short-term rehabilitation (after surgery or hospitalization), long-term nursing care, hospice care, or respite care.

Community Nursing Home Program

The VA contracts with community (non-VA) nursing homes to provide care for veterans who need nursing home services but live far from a CLC or when CLC beds aren't available. The VA covers the cost for eligible veterans.

Respite Care

The VA provides at least 30 days of respite care per year for caregivers of enrolled veterans. Respite can be in-home, where a substitute caregiver comes to the house or the veteran attends an adult day health program, or facility-based, where the veteran stays temporarily in a Community Living Center or community nursing home. All enrolled veterans are eligible if they meet the clinical criteria, though services vary by location and availability. Contact the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.

Not sure which VA program fits your family's situation? Chat with Brevy to get a personalized recommendation.

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home

Maryland operates one State Veterans Home, the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, on a 126-acre campus in Charlotte Hall, in St. Mary's County. It is overseen by the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families (MDVMF) and has been in operation since 1985.

Charlotte Hall offers a continuum of care: a 126-bed assisted living program and a 318-bed skilled nursing program, which includes memory care provided in secure units and a 16-bed Women's Unit.

To be eligible, an applicant must generally be a Maryland resident who served on full-time active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, was discharged under honorable conditions, and is at least 62 years of age or deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration or VA. Certain reserve-component members who meet residency requirements, and certain non-veteran spouses of eligible veterans (assisted living only), may also be admitted.

Cost is based on the resident's resources. Assisted living residents generally pay a percentage of their monthly net income, while skilled nursing costs depend on personal resources, long-term care insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid eligibility. A veteran rated 70% or more service-connected may be entitled to fully covered nursing home care. To apply, contact Charlotte Hall's Veterans Service Officer at 301-884-8171 ext. 5112.

VA Aid and Attendance

The Aid and Attendance pension is a monthly cash benefit for veterans (or surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities.

2026 Rates

Category Monthly Amount
Veteran alone Up to $2,424
Veteran with spouse Up to $2,874
Two married veterans Up to $3,845
Surviving spouse Up to $1,558
Housebound (veteran alone) Up to $1,776

Who Qualifies

To be eligible, the veteran must have:

  • Served during a wartime period (at least 90 days of active duty with at least 1 day during a wartime period)
  • Be 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled
  • Need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or feeding, or be bedridden or in a nursing home due to incapacity
  • Have a net worth below $163,699 (including assets and annual income, not counting the primary home)

The VA enforces a 3-year look-back period on asset transfers for less than fair market value, with a penalty period that can run up to 5 years.

How to Apply

Apply using VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) and Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Veterans Pension). Forms can be submitted online, mailed, or filed through an accredited representative. Processing often takes 3 to 6 months or longer.

Don't do this alone. The Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families provides free, accredited help with VA claims and can significantly improve your chances of approval.

For the full application walkthrough, see our VA Aid and Attendance guide.

Think your parent might qualify for Aid and Attendance? Chat with Brevy's care navigator for a quick eligibility check.

Veteran-Directed Care

The Veteran-Directed Care (VDC) program gives veterans a flexible budget to hire their own caregivers, including family members. The veteran (or their representative) decides who provides care, what services to purchase, and how to manage the budget.

Unlike Medicaid consumer-directed programs, VDC has no blanket prohibition on hiring a spouse. A financial management services provider handles payroll and employer responsibilities, with help from Aging and Disability Network Agencies such as Area Agencies on Aging. Eligibility requires VA enrollment, clinical need for personal care services, and risk of institutional admission.

Contact your local VA medical center's social work department to ask about VDC availability in your area.

Community Care Through the MISSION Act

The MISSION Act (2019) expanded when veterans can receive care from community (non-VA) providers. You may be eligible for community care if:

  • The VA can't offer an appointment within 20 days (primary care/mental health) or 28 days (specialty care)
  • The drive to a VA facility exceeds 30 minutes (primary care) or 60 minutes (specialty care)
  • The care you need isn't available at your VA facility
  • Community care is in your best medical interest

In 2026, the Dole Act removed extra review steps, making it faster for eligible veterans to access community care.

For Maryland veterans far from a VA medical center, the MISSION Act can be the difference between getting timely care and waiting months.

How VA Benefits Work with Medicare and Medicaid

VA benefits don't replace Medicare or Medicaid. They work alongside them.

  • VA + Medicare: Many veterans use both. Medicare covers care from non-VA providers, while VA covers care at VA facilities. You can't bill both for the same service, but having both gives you more options.
  • VA + Medicaid: VA pension with Aid and Attendance and Maryland Medicaid long-term services and supports are separate programs with different income and asset tests. Under general federal rules, when a state Medicaid program counts income, the VA pension is treated as income except for the portion attributable to unreimbursed medical expenses (and, where applicable, the Aid and Attendance amount), which is excluded. The precise treatment depends on the specific Medicaid category and how Maryland applies the rules to an individual's situation.
  • Charlotte Hall Veterans Home weighs Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, and personal resources when setting skilled nursing costs, so these payment sources can layer together.

Because the programs use different rules, confirm the exact effect on benefits with the Maryland Medicaid program (Maryland Health Connection or a local Department of Social Services) or an accredited benefits counselor before relying on it.

Need help understanding how VA, Medicare, and Medicaid work together? Chat with Brevy to sort through your options.

How to Get Started

Step 1: Confirm VA Health Care Enrollment

If the veteran isn't already enrolled in VA health care, apply at va.gov/health-care/apply. The VA assigns a priority group (1-8) based on service-connected disabilities, income, and other factors. Higher priority groups get more benefits with lower or no copays.

Step 2: Get Free Help

Don't file claims or applications alone. The Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families (MDVMF) Service Program provides free, accredited assistance at no cost to the veteran:

  • MDVMF Baltimore Regional Office: 410-230-4444 ext. 16453, or toll-free 800-446-4926 ext. 6450
  • MDVMF service offices statewide, including Annapolis, Bel Air, Cumberland, Frederick, Gaithersburg, and Glen Burnie, generally by appointment

Step 3: Gather Records

You'll need the veteran's DD-214 (discharge papers), medical records documenting the need for care, and financial information. If you can't find the DD-214, the National Personnel Records Center can provide copies (request through va.gov).

Frequently Asked Questions

Not for all programs. Veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability get priority access to VA long-term care at no cost. But other enrolled veterans can access many programs too, depending on their priority group and available resources. Aid and Attendance doesn't require a service-connected disability at all; it requires wartime service, age or disability, and need for help with daily activities.

In some cases, yes. The Charlotte Hall Veterans Home gives priority to veterans, but certain non-veteran spouses of eligible veterans may be admitted to the assisted living program. Contact the home's Veterans Service Officer at 301-884-8171 ext. 5112 for current admission policies.

Claims often take 3 to 6 months or longer from application to first payment. Working with a Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families benefits specialist can speed up the process and reduce the chance of errors that cause delays. You can apply while your loved one is already receiving care.

The VA doesn't directly operate assisted living facilities, but Aid and Attendance payments can be used to pay for assisted living. The Veteran-Directed Care program can also fund assisted living services. And Maryland's own Charlotte Hall Veterans Home runs a 126-bed assisted living program for eligible veterans.

Next Steps

If you're caring for a veteran who needs help, start by calling the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families at 800-446-4926 ext. 6450. They can assess which benefits apply and help you file.

Learn More

Find personalized help navigating VA senior care benefits in Maryland at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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