State veterans homes are owned and run by states, and VA inspects them and helps pay for veterans’ care.
What they provide
Each state veterans home provides nursing home, domiciliary or adult day health care, and some offer more than one. Homes are in all 50 states and Puerto Rico1. Some admit spouses and Gold Star parents; others admit only veterans1.
How VA helps pay
| Care | VA per diem |
|---|---|
| Nursing home | $153.47 |
| Domiciliary | $66.24 |
| Adult day health care | $122.27 |
Source: VA per diem rates2.
For veterans who need nursing home care for a service-connected disability, or with a 70% or higher combined rating or TDIU, VA pays the home under a contract or state home agreement instead3. The cost to other residents varies by state, and VA doesn’t pay for non-veterans’ care1.
Resident rights
State home nursing residents can’t be transferred or discharged except for listed reasons, and generally get 30 days’ written notice; see discharge rights4.
Finding one
The National Association of State Veterans Homes keeps a directory, and a VA social worker can help with eligibility and arrangements1. Each state sets its own admission rules, so check with your state veterans agency.
Which veterans count for VA per diem
VA pays nursing home per diem for a veteran who needs nursing home care, isn’t barred by the character of discharge, and falls into one of several groups, including veterans with service-connected disabilities; former POWs, Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients; veterans discharged for a disability incurred in the line of duty; veterans whose compensation is suspended because they receive military retired pay; and veterans VA finds unable to defray the cost of necessary care5. A nonservice-connected veteran with modest income therefore often still qualifies for the per diem. The home’s own admission rules are a separate, state-set layer1.
How the per diem works
For veterans not covered under the 70% rule, VA pays the lesser of the basic per diem rate or half of the home’s daily cost of care6. VA pays per diem for each day with an overnight stay, and in some cases for days away from the home when the home’s occupancy is 90% or more6. The per diem goes to the home, which then sets the resident’s share.
Worked example
| Item | Veteran rated 30% | Veteran rated 80% |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays VA's share | VA per diem to the home | VA under a contract or agreement |
| VA per diem | $153.47 x 30 = $4,604.10 | Not used |
| Resident's share | Set by the state | Generally none for the nursing care VA covers |
Illustrative. State charges vary; ask the home for its rate sheet.
Domiciliary care in a state home
Domiciliary care is a lower level than nursing care, for veterans who can manage much of their own care but shouldn’t live alone. VA pays domiciliary per diem, $66.24 a day in fiscal 2027, for a veteran whose annual income doesn’t exceed the pension rate for a veteran needing aid and attendance, $29,093 in 2026, or whom VA finds has no adequate means of support based on health and functional needs728. Adult day health care per diem is $122.27 a day2.
Resident protections
A state home nursing unit can’t require a third-party guarantee of payment as a condition of admission or continued stay, and must apply the same transfer, discharge and service policies regardless of who pays4. Before a hospital transfer it must explain its bed-hold policy, and a resident whose absence runs past the bed-hold period must be readmitted to the first available semi-private bed if they still need the care4.
Step by step
- Pick a state and contact its veterans agency or home; admission rules differ1.
- Gather DD-214 and VA rating letters. A benefit summary letter shows the rating9.
- Ask about spouses if both want to move in; some homes admit spouses and Gold Star parents1.
- Ask the VA social worker to confirm VA's per diem or contract eligibility1.