If your loved one is a veteran, the VA offers more senior care benefits than most families realize. From home-based medical care to nursing homes and monthly cash payments, VA benefits for senior care in Virginia can cover a wide range of needs. The challenge isn't usually 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 Virginia, and what happens when VA care isn't enough on its own.
In This Guide
- Key Takeaways
- VA Senior Care Programs
- Virginia State Veterans Care Centers
- 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.
For more on respite options, see our guide to respite care in Virginia.
Not sure which VA program fits your family's situation? Chat with Brevy to get a personalized recommendation.
Virginia State Veterans Care Centers
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) operates a network of state Veterans Care Centers that provide affordable long-term skilled nursing care, dementia and memory care, and short-term rehabilitative care for Virginia's veterans.
| Location | Center | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center | 200 beds, single-occupancy rooms, secure dementia/memory care unit |
| Roanoke | Davis & McDaniel Veterans Care Center | Skilled nursing and rehabilitative care |
| Warrenton | Puller Veterans Care Center | Newer facility, Fauquier County area |
| Virginia Beach | Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center | 128 beds, all-private rooms in 16-bed households |
Admission is open to eligible veterans, and DVS administers the application and eligibility process, which considers factors such as veteran status, discharge under honorable conditions, and care needs. Prospective residents apply through the Virginia DVS or the individual care center.
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 | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents | Up to $2,424 | Up to $29,093 |
| Veteran with spouse | Up to $2,874 | Up to $34,488 |
| Two married veterans (both A&A) | Up to $3,845 | Up to $46,143 |
| Housebound (veteran, no dependents) | Up to $1,776 | Up to $21,313 |
| Surviving spouse | Up to $1,558 | Up to $18,697 |
Who Qualifies
To be eligible, the veteran must have:
- Served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one 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, in a nursing home, or have very limited eyesight)
- 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 made for less than fair market value.
How to Apply
Apply using VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) and, if not already receiving VA pension, Form 21P-527EZ (Application for Veterans Pension). Forms can be submitted online at va.gov, mailed, or filed through an accredited representative. Processing often takes 3 to 6 months or longer.
Don't do this alone. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services 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, with assistance from Aging and Disability Network Agencies such as Area Agencies on Aging.
A financial management services provider handles payroll and employer responsibilities. Eligibility requires VA enrollment, clinical need for personal care services, and risk of institutional admission. 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/mental health) 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 Virginia 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: VA Pension, including Aid and Attendance, generally counts as income when a senior applies for Medicaid long-term care, but the two programs use different income rules. Under VA rules, countable income can be reduced by unreimbursed medical expenses, so much of the A&A amount is often effectively tied to care costs. For Medicaid, that medical-expense portion can frequently be offset, so not all of the VA pension counts against Medicaid's much lower income limits. The exact treatment depends on the Medicaid pathway and is determined case by case.
- In Virginia, Medicaid is called Cardinal Care, administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). It provides long-term services and supports, including nursing-facility care and home- and community-based waivers such as the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+) waiver, and applies special income and resource rules to applicants seeking long-term care.
The interaction between these programs gets complicated. A veteran receiving A&A who also needs Medicaid long-term care should have their income and medical-expense treatment reviewed for their specific situation, ideally with a DVS benefits representative and/or DMAS.
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 Virginia Department of Veterans Services provides free, accredited assistance through a statewide network of benefit service offices. Their Veterans Service Representatives can help you identify, apply for, and file claims for federal VA benefits, including VA Pension and Aid and Attendance. DVS encourages veterans to work with a representative before filing rather than self-filing or paying a third party.
Find your nearest office through the Virginia DVS.
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 higher service-connected disability ratings get priority access to VA long-term care. 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 permanent disability, and need for help with daily activities.
Yes. Virginia's state Veterans Care Centers provide dementia and memory care alongside skilled nursing and rehabilitation. The Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond, for example, has a secure dementia/memory care unit. Admission is handled by DVS, which reviews veteran status, discharge under honorable conditions, and care needs.
Claims often take 3 to 6 months or longer from application to first payment. Working with a Virginia DVS claims representative can speed up the process and reduce 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 care services for veterans who want to direct their own budget.
Next Steps
If you're caring for a veteran who needs help, start by contacting the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. They can assess which benefits apply and help you file at no charge.
Learn More
- VA Aid and Attendance in Virginia
- Medicaid Planning Strategies
- Cost of Senior Care in Virginia
- Nursing Homes in Virginia
- Memory Care in Virginia
Find personalized help navigating VA senior care benefits in Virginia 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.