Benefits and Resources for Senior Veterans in Washington State

Last updated: August 2025

— Practical, state-specific help for Washington veterans age 60+ and their families —

Quick Help Box (always visible)

• In danger or medical emergency: Call 911
• Veterans Crisis Line (24/7): Dial 988, then press 1; text 838255; or chat at Veterans Crisis Line (official site)
• Find a VA or community clinic near you: VA Facility Locator
• Get one-on-one help with VA claims or state benefits: Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA)
• Find local food, housing, and utility help: Washington 211
• Report abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult: Adult Protective Services (APS) – Washington DSHS

Emergency Help (start here)

When something can’t wait:

• Immediate danger: Call 911.
• Suicidal thoughts, mental health crisis, or overwhelming stress: Dial 988 and then press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, text 838255, or visit Veterans Crisis Line (official site).
• Emergency medical care at non‑VA hospitals: If you’re enrolled in VA health care and need emergency care at a non‑VA ER, notify VA within 72 hours so they can review coverage and coordinate care. Details: VA Emergency Care rules.
• Homelessness or risk of losing housing:
  • Call 211 or visit Washington 211 for immediate shelter and resources.
  • VA homeless programs: HUD‑VASH (housing vouchers) and SSVF (rapid rehousing and prevention).
• Abuse, neglect, or exploitation: Report to Washington APS (DSHS).

Reality check:

• Non‑VA emergency bills can get complicated. Read the VA’s rules before a crisis, keep your VA ID handy, and share your VA coverage with ER staff. Coverage depends on enrollment, service connection, and timing. See VA Emergency Care.

How to Use This Guide

• Most seniors start with four steps: (1) talk with a WDVA service officer; (2) enroll in VA health care; (3) review Medicare and Apple Health (Medicaid) options; (4) look at taxes, housing, and long‑term care.
• This guide focuses on Washington programs and points you to official sources with direct links. When the process is not simple, we say so and offer workarounds.

Table 1. Who to call for what (Washington-focused)

Core Money Benefits for Senior Veterans

VA Disability Compensation (tax‑free)

What it is: Monthly, tax‑free payments for disabilities related to your military service. Amount depends on your VA rating and dependents. Back pay is possible if you win an appeal or reopen with new evidence.

• Learn more or apply: VA Disability Compensation
• Get free, accredited help: WDVA (Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs)

Reality check:

• Proving a service connection can be slow. Strong medical evidence and an accredited representative make a difference. Avoid paid “claim sharks.” Find accredited help: VA Accreditation Search.

VA Pension with Aid & Attendance or Housebound

What it is: A need‑based pension for low‑income wartime veterans and certain survivors. Adds extra money if you need help with daily activities (Aid & Attendance) or you are largely confined at home (Housebound).

• Eligibility and amounts: VA Pension
• Extra help details: Aid & Attendance and Housebound

Tips:

• Gather discharge papers (DD214), income statements, and medical forms (for A&A, your doctor completes VA Form 21‑2680). A WDVA service officer can assemble a clean application.

Social Security Retirement and SSI

• Social Security retirement: SSA – Retirement Benefits
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income) for very low income and assets: SSI – SSA

Note: VA benefits can affect SSI but not Social Security retirement. If money is tight, ask SSA about SSI and state supplements.

Washington Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Disabled Veterans

Washington has no state income tax, but property taxes are local and can be high. Seniors and disabled residents (including many disabled veterans) may qualify for exemptions or deferrals.

• Program overview and county links: WA Dept. of Revenue – Senior/Disabled Exemption
• Deferrals (pay later; lien may apply): Property Tax Deferral

Reality check:

• Income thresholds vary by county and change over time. Bring proof of income, VA disability rating letter (if applicable), and your prior year’s tax statements when you visit your county assessor’s office. Rules can be technical—use the DOR page above to get the right local form.

Energy and Utility Help

• Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): WA Dept. of Commerce – LIHEAP
• Many utilities have senior or low‑income discounts. Call your utility or dial 211 for local programs.

Health Care and Long‑Term Care in Washington

Enroll in VA Health Care (and coordinate with Medicare)

• Apply online: VA Health Care Application
• Find care: VA Facility Locator

Common Washington VA medical hubs:

• VA Puget Sound Health Care System (Seattle & American Lake/Tacoma)
• Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (Spokane)
• Jonathan M. Wainwright VA Medical Center (Walla Walla)
  Use the VA Facility Locator for addresses, phone numbers, and clinics.

Medicare + VA:

• Many older veterans use both. Medicare helps when you see non‑VA providers. Compare plans with unbiased, free counseling: SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors).
• Extra Help for pharmacy costs: Medicare Part D Extra Help (SSA)
• Medicare Savings Programs (help with premiums): Washington MSPs

Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) and Long‑Term Services

Apple Health is Washington’s Medicaid. It can cover in‑home aides, adult family homes, assisted living, nursing homes, and certain medical costs for people who qualify.

• Apple Health overview: HCA – Apple Health (Medicaid)
• Long‑term care contact: DSHS Home & Community Services
• Program of All‑Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): HCA – PACE

Reality check:

• Financial eligibility is strict and includes a review of income, assets, and past transfers. Don’t “give away” assets without legal advice—penalties can apply. Start with HCS to understand your options.

VA Long‑Term Care and Care at Home

What VA can provide (depending on eligibility and clinical need):

• State Veterans Homes (run by WDVA): Four locations in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. See WDVA: Washington State Veterans Homes and navigate to Veterans Homes.
• In‑home supports: Homemaker/Home Health Aide, respite, adult day health, and more through VA Geriatrics & Extended Care: VA Long‑Term Services & Supports

Note:

• State Veterans Homes charge daily rates. VA may cover part of the cost for eligible veterans. Availability varies; apply early and ask about waitlists.

Table 2. Long‑term care routes seniors actually use

Sources: VA Geriatrics & Extended Care, DSHS Home & Community Services, HCA – PACE.

Housing Security and Homelessness Prevention

• HUD‑VASH: VA case management + HUD vouchers. Good for chronically homeless veterans. Learn more: VA HUD‑VASH
• SSVF: Rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention through local nonprofits. Find providers: VA SSVF
• County Veterans Assistance Funds: Each Washington county operates a veterans assistance program (small grants for rent, utilities, or basic needs; eligibility rules differ). Find contacts through WDVA: WDVA – County Veterans Programs
• State Veterans Homes (for long‑term care, not emergency housing): see WDVA site above.

Reality check:

• Documentation matters. Keep your DD214, state ID, income proof, and any eviction or utility shutoff notices in one easy‑to‑grab folder. Ask SSVF and county veterans staff to help coordinate with landlords and utilities.

Table 3. Housing help at a glance

Food and Nutrition

• Basic Food (SNAP) in Washington: DSHS – Basic Food
• Apply online (Basic Food, Apple Health, cash assistance): WashingtonConnection.org
• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (seasonal): WA Dept. of Health – Senior FMNP
• Meals on Wheels and senior meals: Contact your local Area Agency on Aging: Find your AAA
• VA MOVE! weight and nutrition support: VA MOVE!

Tip:

• If your VA copays strain your food budget, ask your VA social worker about copay exemptions and whether adding Medicare or Apple Health could reduce costs.

Transportation and Getting to Care

• Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) for riders age 65+: reduces fares across many Puget Sound transit systems. How to apply: RRFP (Sound Transit)
• VA travel reimbursement (for eligible veterans): VA Beneficiary Travel
• DAV Volunteer Transportation Network (rides to VA medical appointments in many areas): DAV Transportation Network
• Washington State Parks Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass (discounted or free access; see eligibility): WA State Parks – Disabled Veteran Pass

Reality check:

• Rural ride options can be thin. Call your VA clinic early to ask about DAV rides or community transportation links. Keep receipts and mileage logs if you qualify for VA travel pay.

Taxes, Legal Help, and Consumer Protections

• No state income tax in Washington: See general tax information at Washington Dept. of Revenue.
• Property tax relief (seniors and disabled, including many disabled veterans): DOR – Exemptions
• Free civil legal help for low‑income seniors: Northwest Justice Project’s CLEAR Senior line (statewide). Learn more and current contact options: Northwest Justice Project and search for “CLEAR Senior.”
• VA legal clinics (varies by facility): Use the VA Facility Locator and ask your VA social work office for local legal clinic times.

Warning:

• Do not pay anyone to “guarantee” VA benefits. It’s illegal to charge fees for preparing VA claims unless accredited and under specific rules. Check accreditation: VA Accreditation Search.

Digital Access, Telehealth, and Phone Discounts

• VA Telehealth (home video visits, remote monitoring, ATLAS telehealth sites): VA Telehealth
• VA Office of Rural Health resources: VA Rural Health
• Lifeline phone/internet discount (federal program): USAC Lifeline
• Note: The Affordable Connectivity Program’s funding ended in 2024; check the FCC for any updates: FCC ACP.

State-Specific Highlights for Washington Seniors

• Long‑Term Care planning: Washington’s WA Cares Fund is a state long‑term care insurance program funded by a payroll deduction for workers. Benefit timelines and details can change—check the official site for current status and dates: WA Cares Fund.
• Area Agencies on Aging run many core senior services (meals, caregiver support, respite). Find yours: WA AAAs directory.
• Family Caregiver Support Program (through AAAs): DSHS – Family Caregiver Support

Inclusivity: Tailored Help for Specific Groups

LGBTQ+ Senior Veterans

• VA provides LGBTQ+‑affirming care and has patient care coordinators at many facilities: VA LGBTQ+ Health
• If you’ve delayed care due to past discrimination, tell your VA team. VA can update your name and gender in records and connect you to supportive services.

Disabled Senior Veterans

• Combine supports: VA disability compensation, VA health care, Apple Health long‑term services, and county veterans funds.
• Mobility and accessibility: Ask VA for Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) information through Prosthetics; your clinician can advise. General overview of VA home and community supports: VA Long‑Term Services & Supports

Tribal Veterans and Native Elders

• Work with WDVA Tribal Veterans Representatives and your tribe’s veterans program. Start with WDVA: Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs and your tribal office.
• VA Office of Tribal Government Relations: VA Tribal Government
• If you use Indian Health Service or tribal clinics, ask about VA–IHS reimbursement agreements to reduce out‑of‑pocket costs.

Rural Senior Veterans

• Leverage telehealth: VA Telehealth
• Travel help: VA Beneficiary Travel and DAV Transportation Network
• For limited broadband, ask your VA clinic about ATLAS sites or telephone visits.

Women Veterans

• VA Women Veterans Call Center: 855‑829‑6636. Learn more and request follow‑up: VA Women’s Health
• Washington State Women Veterans Program: Find updates and events via WDVA: WDVA – Women Veterans
• VA covers gender‑specific care (mammograms, cervical screening, maternity coordination). Use the Women Veterans Program at your VA facility for coordinated support.

Resources by Region (Washington)

Use the links below to see addresses, hours, and current phone numbers.

• Puget Sound region
  • VA Puget Sound HCS – Seattle and American Lake divisions: Find facilities
  • County veterans assistance (all counties): Start at WDVA and choose your county: WDVA – County Veterans Programs
• Eastern Washington
  • Mann‑Grandstaff VAMC (Spokane) and clinics: Find facilities
  • Washington State Veterans Cemetery (Medical Lake) information: via WDVA site: WDVA
• Southeast Washington
  • Jonathan M. Wainwright VAMC (Walla Walla): Find facilities
• Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas
  • VA clinics (Silverdale, Port Angeles, others): Find facilities
  • Washington Veterans Home (Port Orchard): details via WDVA: WDVA – Veterans Homes
• South Sound
  • Washington Soldiers Home (Orting): details via WDVA: WDVA – Veterans Homes

Note: For direct county emergency aid links, WDVA maintains the most current directory of County Veterans Assistance Programs. Start at WDVA and look for “County Veterans Assistance.”

How to Apply: Step‑by‑Step Checklists

VA Disability or Pension (Aid & Attendance)

1. Call WDVA or a county/tribal service officer for free help: WDVA
2. Gather: DD214, medical records, VA rating letters, income/asset proof (for pension).
3. If applying for Aid & Attendance, ask your clinician to complete VA Form 21‑2680.
4. Keep copies of everything and note the date you file. Track your claim at VA.gov.

Apple Health (Medicaid) for Long‑Term Services

1. Call DSHS Home & Community Services to discuss needs: HCS
2. Apply online at WashingtonConnection.org or by mail/phone as directed.
3. Be ready for a financial review and an in‑home or in‑facility assessment.
4. Ask about COPES, Community First Choice, and PACE (if offered in your county).

Medicare Plan Help

1. Gather your Medicare card and medication list.
2. Call SHIBA for free plan counseling: SHIBA
3. Review Medigap, Advantage, and Part D options; check Extra Help (SSA) and MSPs (HCA – MSPs).

Table 4. Key benefits and where to start

Burial Benefits and Planning

• National and state cemeteries: Tahoma National Cemetery (Kent) is a VA national cemetery. Washington also operates the Washington State Veterans Cemetery (Medical Lake) through WDVA. Use the VA pre‑need application to confirm eligibility early: VA Pre‑Need Burial Eligibility
• Headstones, markers, and burial flags: VA Burials and Memorials

Tip:

• Keep DD214s and VA rating letters where family can find them. Pre‑need approval reduces stress for survivors.

Table 5. Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)