How to apply for Pennsylvania State Veterans Homes (Long-Term Care)

Who it's for

Pennsylvania runs six veterans homes that provide long-term care for honorably discharged veterans, their spouses, and surviving spouses: Delaware Valley Veterans' Home (Philadelphia), Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center (Scranton), Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home (near Altoona), Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home (Erie), Southeastern Veterans' Center (Spring City), and Southwestern Veterans' Center (Pittsburgh). Depending on the location, care levels include skilled nursing, personal care, memory care, and domiciliary care. Residents pay a monthly maintenance fee based on ability to pay, not a fixed private-market rate. Current Pennsylvania residents receive admission priority, and admission is first-come, first-served through each home's admissions committee.

What you'll need

• DD-214 or other military discharge paperwork showing honorable conditions
• Proof of Pennsylvania residency (current residents receive admission priority)
• Medical records supporting the level-of-care need
• Financial information for the ability-to-pay maintenance fee assessment

Where to apply

What to say when you call

“Hello, I'm calling to ask about Pennsylvania State Veterans Homes (Long-Term Care). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need dd-214 or other military discharge paperwork showing honorable conditions, proof of pennsylvania residency (current residents receive admission priority), medical records supporting the level-of-care need — is anything else required? What is the best next step?”

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Gather your military discharge paperwork — a DD-214 or other document showing you were discharged under honorable conditions.
2. Collect proof of Pennsylvania residency. Current Pennsylvania residents receive admission priority.
3. Pull together your medical records that show the level of care you need, such as skilled nursing, personal care, memory care, or domiciliary care.
4. Gather financial information so the admissions committee can assess your ability-to-pay maintenance fee. Residents are not charged a fixed private-market rate.
5. Choose the veterans home that best fits your location and care needs. Pennsylvania runs six homes: Delaware Valley Veterans' Home (Philadelphia), Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center (Scranton), Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home (near Altoona), Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home (Erie), Southeastern Veterans' Center (Spring City), and Southwestern Veterans' Center (Pittsburgh). Not every home offers every level of care, so confirm the right fit before applying.
6. Apply online or call the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) at 800-547-2838. Staff can answer questions about a specific home or situation.
7. Work with the home's admissions committee. The committee reviews your application, medical suitability, and bed availability, then determines the appropriate level of care.

What to expect: After submitting your application, the admissions committee at your chosen home reviews it based on bed availability, the care levels offered at that location, and your medical suitability. The committee determines which level of care — domiciliary, personal, memory, or skilled nursing — is appropriate for you. Processing times vary, so contact the DMVA at 800-547-2838 for an estimate. If admitted, your monthly maintenance fee is set based on your ability to pay, not a fixed private-market rate. There is no fixed renewal schedule noted for this program, but residents should expect to provide updated financial and medical information as requested by the home.