Learn how families of veterans can plan for long-term care and end-of-life expenses using VA benefits, Medicare, private insurance, and financial planning.
The transition to civilian life often presents unique challenges for the men and women who have served our country, especially as they age. While all families navigate long-term care and end-of-life expenses, many veterans and their families experience more stress during this process as they work with the VA for essential support. After all, the VA doesn’t cover everything, leaving families to fill the gaps.
Whether you’re preparing for the future or navigating an immediate need, we have practical strategies to provide the care and dignity your loved one deserves. Let’s take the first step toward honoring their service by planning wisely and compassionately for the road ahead.
VA benefits can be a lifeline for veterans needing long-term care or end-of-life support. However, eligibility and coverage depend on service history, disability status, and income. Some services are fully covered, while others may only be partially reimbursed or not covered at all.
For long-term care, VA benefits are generally limited to:
For end-of-life care, VA benefits include:
Here are the limits of VA coverage:
To avoid being caught off guard, families of veterans should take proactive steps to plan for long-term care and end-of-life expenses. For example, you can consider long-term care insurance, Medicaid (if you’re eligible), or investing in a personal savings account to compensate for the VA’s lack of non-medical custodial care coverage.
Many families rely on a combination of military pensions, personal savings, and investments to cover these costs. Military pensions, such as those from the Department of Defense or the VA, can provide steady income to help with care expenses. Savings and investments, when managed wisely, can fill gaps that VA benefits and pensions might not cover.
Expenses for long-term care can vary depending on the type of care required and the facility. Below are the national average costs for common types of care:
While state veteran homes do provide care to aging veterans, they often have incredibly long waitlists. Families should have a backup plan if their local veteran’s home cannot accommodate their loved one.
Costs can vary significantly by location. States like California, New York, and Massachusetts tend to have higher long-term care costs than states in the Midwest or South. Research local prices to build a budget that fits your area. Remember to factor in future inflation and rising healthcare costs to ensure your plan stays sustainable.
Before you throw away any receipts from long-term care expenses, use them to your advantage. If you report these medical expenses to the IRS, you may receive a tax deduction, lowering your taxable income. Here are the ones you should know about:
While VA benefits provide essential healthcare services for veterans, they usually will not cover non-service-connected conditions or specialized care. Many veterans and their families turn to Medicare and private insurance to fill these gaps.
Medicare works hand-in-hand with VA healthcare by covering treatments and services the VA doesn’t provide, such as care from non-VA doctors or treatments for non-service-connected conditions. Since VA benefits and Medicare don’t coordinate directly, having both gives veterans more flexibility and access to a broader network of healthcare providers.
Here’s how Medicare can help:
Private insurance and supplemental policies can help cover long-term care and end-of-life expenses that VA benefits and Medicare don’t address. These give families peace of mind and prevent care costs from becoming overwhelming.
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the costs that come with it add up fast. VA benefits can help with funeral and burial expenses, but they might not cover everything.
The VA offers burial benefits to help cover funeral and memorial expenses for eligible veterans. These benefits include burial in a national cemetery, a government-furnished headstone or marker, perpetual care, a burial flag, and military honors. Families of veterans who pass away due to service-connected conditions may receive up to $2,000 to help with funeral costs. For non-service-connected deaths, the burial allowance is up to $893.
To apply for these benefits, submit VA Form 21P-530, “Application for Burial Benefits,” either online through the VA website or by mail. You must provide proof of the veteran’s military service, such as a DD214 form and an itemized list of funeral and burial expenses.
While VA benefits provide some coverage, they often don’t cover all funeral costs — especially if families choose private cemeteries or additional services. In these cases, private burial insurance can help offset remaining expenses. Unlike VA benefits, burial insurance policies allow families to choose any funeral provider. This may be preferable if you have specific preferences for honoring your loved one. Some policies also provide faster payouts than VA benefits, which can take time to process.
Adequate legal and estate planning helps ensure that a veteran’s loved ones are financially supported after they’re gone. By aligning your estate plan with VA benefits and Medicare, you can help surviving spouses and dependents receive the benefits they’re entitled to without unnecessary delays. Here are the most important parts of estate planning for veterans:
Nonprofits like the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program, Legal Services Corporation (LSC), and American Bar Association (ABA) Military and Veterans Legal Center offer free or low-cost help with wills, trusts, and advance directives, ensuring veterans’ legal affairs are in order without high costs.
Caring for veterans during their final years can be incredibly challenging — financially, emotionally, and logistically. For families, understanding how to manage both the financial and emotional sides of care while efficiently working through government programs can make a world of difference.
Many military families feel the financial pinch when covering long-term and end-of-life care, especially when VA benefits don’t cover everything. Combining multiple benefits can help lighten the load. For example, veterans who qualify for both VA healthcare and Medicare can use Medicare for treatments unrelated to their service. At the same time, Medicaid can step in to help low-income veterans with long-term care costs the VA might not cover.
But it’s not just about the money.
Caregiving can take a heavy emotional toll, too. Family caregivers often deal with burnout, stress, and feelings of isolation, especially when juggling caregiving with work, parenting, or other responsibilities. Connecting with caregiver support networks can be a lifeline. Organizations like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation offer peer support and resources tailored to military caregivers. VA programs like the Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) provide training, counseling, and financial stipends. These resources can help caregivers manage stress, improve their well-being, and feel less alone.
Applying for the benefits veterans need can feel like running an obstacle course. Many families face delays because of incomplete applications, missing documents, or confusion about what’s required. To avoid these headaches, gather everything you need upfront — military discharge papers (DD214), medical records, and proof of income — before starting the process.
Working with accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) gives you professional guidance during a stressful time. Their staff know the ins and outs of the application process, so you don’t have to learn them. Groups like the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) offer free help with VA claims. Their trained representatives know the system’s ins and outs and can ensure applications are filled out correctly and submitted on time.
Families of veterans need to utilize all the benefits available to them to manage the costs of long-term and end-of-life care effectively. Start by understanding how each program complements the others. For example, while VA benefits cover service-connected conditions, Medicare can step in for non-service-connected treatments, and private insurance can fill gaps like custodial care or specialized services.
Many VA benefits and Medicare programs have specific criteria, such as service history, disability status, or income limits. Gathering necessary documents beforehand prevents delays and ensures a smoother application process. Early planning also allows families to explore additional options, such as aid and attendance benefits or long-term care insurance, before they’re urgently needed.
Many organizations offer free or low-cost financial counseling tailored to veterans. These services help families create budgets, maximize benefits, and plan for future costs. Working with a tax professional who understands veteran-specific benefits can ensure families take full advantage of these opportunities.
While the road may be difficult, taking proactive steps allows families to honor their loved one’s legacy while protecting their well-being, turning a time of challenge into one of meaningful connection and support.
As a veteran or a family member of a veteran, you’re not alone. Use these resources to help with long-term care and end-of-life expenses.
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