1. Local Veteran Offices in Illinois.
2. Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit
3. Veterans Salute - help at-home for veterans.
4. Check our Resource Guide on Aging to find other agencies, by county, which provide services in Southern Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs works with over one million veterans living in the state. About half of which are over age 60. Many people are not aware of benefits available to those who have served in our nation's military.

Benefits include educational opportunities, employment preference, camping & admission waivers to state parks and other state sites, disabled veterans license plates, and burial benefits.

Illinois veterans of wars are eligible for admittance into an Illinois Veterans’ Home located in Quincy, Manteno, LaSalle, and Anna. The cost is based on one’s ability to pay but the maximum charge for residency is $929 per month which covers room, food (including special diets and supplements), medication, all levels of medical care, recreation and activities, and any special therapy or treatment prescribed by the attending physician. Some costs of care are not covered and must be paid directly by the resident or responsible surrogate. Currently, there are about 1,000 veteran beds in the state and a waiting list for occupancy.

A pension may be available from for wartime veterans who are permanently and totally disabled from disabilities not related with service in the military if they have limited income. A pension may be also available for the spouse of an veteran. Wartime service bonus payments and POW and survivors’ compensation are available for certain Illinois residents.

If a veteran’s death is non-service connected, and he or she served in wartime, spouses may be eligible for pension benefits if he or she has limited income.

While veterans often receive benefits based upon their status, older veterans are also very much a part of the general senior community. Everyone aged 60 and older may participate in one or more of the available senior programs, such as in-home services, transportation, elderly meals program, and more.

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