Many veterans who built their lives in Fort Worth served their country and returned to careers. Yet, when the time comes to consider assisted living or memory care services, the cost can seem overwhelming. The Department of Veterans Affairs in Fort Worth, TX, offers programs to help, but the paperwork alone can be just as daunting.
The Ridglea Senior Living is a community in Fort Worth, TX, that provides Fort Worth veterans with resources to get the financial side of their long-term care in order. Below is a summary of programs that veterans and their families should know about, as well as the ways that The Ridglea can help families get through the process together.
What VA Benefits Cover
The Department of Veterans Affairs in Fort Worth, TX, offers more than some families realize. As of 2026, qualifying single veterans can receive up to $2,424 per month for care as part of the Aid and Attendance Benefit, while couples or those with dependents may qualify for more. The VA determines the benefit amount based on many factors, including income and care needs, so a conversation with a local VA representative is the best way to gauge your situation.
To qualify, veterans must have served 90 days or more of active duty, with at least one day during wartime. Surviving spouses of qualified veterans can also apply. Here’s a table with the numbers for 2026 to help you plan ahead:
Veteran Status | Aid and Attendance Benefit Amount |
Surviving Spouse | Up to $1,558 per month |
Veteran with Spouse needing care | Up to $1,903 per month |
Single Veteran | Up to $2,424 per month |
Married Veteran | Up to $2,874 per month |
Veteran and Spouse both needing care | Up to $2,874 per month |
How to Apply for Aid and Attendance
Whether applying through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or your local VA, successfully applying for the Aid and Attendance Benefit requires a few steps. First, you’ll need to gather certain paperwork, including:
- VA Form 21-2680
- Discharge papers
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Income and asset statements
- Death certificate (for surviving spouses)
The Aid and Attendance site also recommends bringing the Social Security Award Letter for each person applying for benefits. The average approval time is around 5-6 months, but this can change in different situations. A Veterans Service Officer or VA-accredited representative can review your application at no cost before it is submitted to the Pension Intake Center by fax machine or mail.
Note: Veterans can access other ways to pay for care through long-term insurance policies, life settlements, and home equity loans. Speak with a local advisor to learn more about your situation.
How The Ridglea Helps Families Manage the Aid Process
The Ridglea offers assisted living and memory care in Fort Worth. The team recognizes that finances are usually the first problem families need to solve to gain access to care. Associates point veterans and their loved ones to VA resources and accredited representatives who can handle the paperwork and make sure it’s submitted correctly.
On the housing side, the move itself is made easier through Civitas signature programs. My Home offers fully furnished apartments, and Moving Partners connects families with trusted movers, so a veteran can settle in without hauling a lifetime of belongings across town.
Care support doesn’t stop after move-in day. Through the Passion Program, residents can continue doing the activities they love, from Fit For You fitness classes to Outreach Club outings to the Stockyards, Sundance Square, and the Kimbell Art Museum. The culinary team serves farm-to-table dining at the casual bistro cafe, and the outdoor zen garden gives residents a place to slow down and relax between activities.
One Veteran’s Story Shows How Senior Living Supports Residents
James J., called “Jim” by everyone who knows him, is an 86-year-old veteran of the United States Air Force who came home after serving to raise a blended family of four. Though his kids are grown now, they’re common faces at The Ridglea, where family and community connections are key to resident life.
“Jim represents exactly the kind of resident and family we’re privileged to serve,” said Taylor Turner, Activity Director of The Ridglea Senior Living. “His kids stay involved; they check in, and that bond doesn’t stop at our front door. That’s the reality of life here—families stay close, and we make sure of it.”
Though Jim now lives in a senior living community, he remains part of the family he built and the community he served. As Turner put it, it’s not just our mission at The Ridglea to give our veteran residents the benefits and daily life they deserve. It’s our privilege.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aid and Attendance is an enhanced, tax-free VA pension added to the basic pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities or medical supervision. Veterans can put this benefit toward assisted living, memory care, or in-residence support.
Eligibility for senior veterans benefits depends on wartime service, the level of care needed, income, and net worth. Fort Worth veterans and surviving spouses can confirm their status through the VA or an accredited Veterans Service Officer, who can review claims at no cost.
Assisted living and memory care count as unreimbursed medical expenses. Therefore, the benefit can be applied directly to monthly costs at The Ridglea.
Timelines vary, but claims commonly take 5-6 months to process. Filing a complete application with the right forms and records helps avoid delays.
Senior Living Communities Give Back to Veterans
Fort Worth veterans gave their best years in service to their community. Paying for care in later stages of life should never feel like a battle they have to fight alone. VA benefits like Aid and Attendance can make care attainable for many veterans, but the process can be difficult to maneuver alone. The team at The Ridglea in Fort Worth, TX, walks families through every step so a veteran can continue living in the city they love with the care services they need.
Schedule a Personalized Visit at The Ridglea
See how The Ridglea Senior Living helps Fort Worth veterans use VA benefits to pay for the care they earned through their service. Schedule a personalized visit to meet the team and walk the community to see how The Ridglea honors the men and women who served in our military by providing the welcoming community they deserve.
