VA benefits for senior care in Pennsylvania can cover more than most families realize. If your loved one is a veteran, the VA offers home-based medical care, nursing homes, monthly cash payments, and more. 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 Pennsylvania, and what happens when VA care isn't enough on its own.
In This Guide
- Key Takeaways
- VA Senior Care Programs
- Pennsylvania State Veterans Homes
- Aid and Attendance
- Veteran-Directed Care
- Community Care (MISSION Act)
- How VA Benefits Work with Medicare and Medicaid
- How to Get Started
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Next Steps
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 larger VA medical centers.
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 (a substitute caregiver comes to the house) or facility-based (the veteran stays temporarily in a CLC or community nursing home). 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.
Pennsylvania State Veterans Homes
Pennsylvania operates six State Veterans Homes through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), providing varying levels of long-term care to eligible veterans. These homes are spread across the state, from the Lake Erie shore to the Philadelphia suburbs.
| Home | Location |
|---|---|
| Delaware Valley Veterans' Home | Philadelphia |
| Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center | Scranton (Lackawanna County) |
| Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home | Duncansville, near Altoona (Blair County) |
| Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home | Erie |
| Southeastern Veterans' Center | Spring City (Chester County) |
| Southwestern Veterans' Center | Pittsburgh area (Allegheny County) |
Each home offers varying levels of care, and eligibility and admission details differ by home. To ask about availability and current rates, contact the DMVA Bureau of Veterans Homes at 1-800-547-2838 or RA-MVVA-HOMES@pa.gov.
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 |
| Surviving spouse | Up to $1,558 |
Who Qualifies
To be eligible, the veteran must have:
- Served during a wartime period
- Be 65 or older, or permanently disabled
- Need help with at least two Activities of Daily Living
- Have a net worth below $163,699 (including assets, not counting the primary home)
The VA enforces a 3-year look-back period on asset transfers.
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 Pension). Processing typically takes 3-6 months.
Don't do this alone. The PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and County Directors of Veterans Affairs provide free help with VA claims and can significantly improve your chances of approval.
For the full application walkthrough, see our VA Aid and Attendance guide for Pennsylvania.
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 many Medicaid self-direction options, VDC has no blanket prohibition on hiring a spouse. A financial management services provider handles payroll and tax obligations, often with support from a local Area Agency on Aging or Center for Independent Living. This is a good option for veterans who want control over their care and prefer family members as caregivers.
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 Senator Elizabeth Dole Act removed extra review steps, making it faster for eligible veterans to access community care.
For Pennsylvania veterans in rural areas 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: In Pennsylvania, Medicaid is called Pennsylvania Medical Assistance, administered by the PA Department of Human Services (DHS). Aid and Attendance is a federal VA benefit run by a different agency under different rules, and a veteran or surviving spouse can receive both at the same time. But the programs count income differently: DHS generally counts VA pension income (including the Aid and Attendance amount) when it evaluates eligibility and cost-sharing for long-term care, such as the Medicaid nursing-facility benefit and the Community HealthChoices (CHC) managed long-term services and supports program.
- State Veterans Homes offer varying levels of long-term care that VA, Medicaid, and other payment sources may help cover.
Because the two programs count income and assets differently, the order and timing of applying for each can matter. A veteran or family should consult a VA-accredited representative or an elder law attorney before applying.
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. In Pennsylvania, these accredited sources provide free assistance:
- PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA): 1-800-547-2838
- County Directors of Veterans Affairs: accredited veterans service officers who help determine eligibility and prepare applications, often located at the county courthouse. They never charge for their help.
- Accredited veterans service organizations such as the VFW, American Legion, and DAV
The DMVA reminds veterans they should never pay anyone to apply for benefits they earned.
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).
Pennsylvania note: The DMVA also runs the Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) program, which provides up to $1,600 in a 12-month period to eligible Pennsylvania veterans and beneficiaries for necessities such as food, shelter, fuel, and clothing. Ask your County Director of Veterans Affairs whether it applies to your situation.
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/disability, and need for help with daily activities.
Pennsylvania operates six State Veterans Homes through the DMVA: the Delaware Valley Veterans' Home in Philadelphia, the Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center in Scranton, the Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home near Altoona, the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Erie, the Southeastern Veterans' Center in Spring City, and the Southwestern Veterans' Center in the Pittsburgh area.
Typically 3-6 months from application to first payment. Working with a County Director of Veterans Affairs or an accredited service organization 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.
Yes. Aid and Attendance is a federal VA benefit, and Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (Medicaid) is administered separately by the PA Department of Human Services, so a veteran or surviving spouse can receive both at the same time. Because the two count income differently, the timing of each application can matter, so consult a VA-accredited representative or elder law attorney first.
Next Steps
If you're caring for a veteran who needs help, start by contacting the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs at 1-800-547-2838, or your County Director of Veterans Affairs at the county courthouse. They can assess which benefits apply and help you file, at no charge.
Learn More
- VA Aid and Attendance in Pennsylvania
- Home Care vs Home Health in Pennsylvania
- Nursing Homes in Pennsylvania
- Cost of Senior Care in Pennsylvania
- Assisted Living vs Nursing Home in Pennsylvania
Find personalized help navigating VA senior care benefits in Pennsylvania 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.