Long-term care
Do you require 24-hour personal and nursing care on a short-term or long-term basis? We can provide financial support to qualifying Veterans for the cost of this care.
About this program
All health systems in Canada provide some level of long-term care support in provincially licensed or regulated facilities.
Financial support from Veterans Affairs Canada may be available when you have been admitted to 24-hour care in a community bed (available to any provincial resident) or contract bed (only available to Second World War or Korean War Veterans).
The assessment process and admission to long-term care facilities is managed by your provincial, regional, or local health authority. Please contact the agency responsible for long-term care in your province or territory:
Do you qualify?
If you have been admitted to a long-term care facility, you may qualify for and should apply for financial assistance if you served in the Canadian Armed Forces and have:
- a low income,
- a service-related disability, or
- a health need for long-term care.
How to apply
Before you apply
Before you apply for financial assistance from Veterans Affairs Canada, you must first be admitted to a long-term care facility.
Apply online
If you are registered for My VAC Account, you can submit your application for this benefit online. If you aren't registered, you can register now.
My VAC AccountMail or in person
Download the application package (VAC1503APe). Then, drop it off at a VAC office. You can also mail your completed form directly to the address listed on the form.
Get help with your application
The staff at any VAC office can assist you, or call us at 1-866-522-2122.
Note for legal representatives: Include a copy of the document that shows you to be the legal representative (e.g. Power of Attorney). If you have previously provided this, you do not need to send it again.
Additional information
Related programs
Treatment Benefits - Coverage for medical and health related services.
Veterans Independence Program - Payments for home and health care services that you need to remain independent at home.
War Veterans Allowance - Monthly payments if you have a low household income.
Guided support – Sometimes life situations can be challenging. When the challenge is too much to handle independently, Guided Support services can help you and your family.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum a Veteran must pay toward their long-term care accommodation costs?
Effective 1 October 2024, the maximum accommodation and meals monthly amount paid by a Veteran is $1,236.90. Any supplementary charges such as the costs of semi-private or private rooms are not part of this calculation.
Do some Veterans pay less than the maximum amount?
Veterans who are admitted to care as a direct result of a condition for which they are in receipt of a disability benefit are not required to pay toward their long-term care. Also, Veterans may have a reduced contribution if they are married or have a lower income.