Arkansas State Veterans Home: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Arkansas Veterans Home Application

To apply for the Arkansas Veterans Home, contact the facility directly for a pre-admission application. The Fayetteville home serves 108 residents and the North Little Rock home serves 115. Both accept veterans with honorable discharges, plus spouses and Gold Star parents. You must have a medical need for nursing home placement and meet skilled care requirements. Call (479) 444-7001 for Fayetteville or (501) 683-2382 for North Little Rock.

Arkansas State Veterans Homes Overview

Arkansas operates two State Veterans Homes through the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs: one in Fayetteville and one in North Little Rock. Both are skilled nursing facilities providing 24-hour care.

The homes serve veterans who need nursing home level care, along with spouses and Gold Star parents (parents who lost a child in military service). Veterans receive priority admission, and up to 25% of occupancy can be non-veterans .

Fayetteville Veterans Home

The Fayetteville Veterans Home is a 108-bed licensed Medicaid/Medicare skilled care facility established in 2006. It is recognized by the VA as a qualified state veterans home .

Address: 1179 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72703
Phone: (479) 444-7001
Fax: (479) 695-0184
Email: FVH@arkansas.gov 

A distinctive feature: All veterans admitted have their name, branch of service, and years served engraved on a plaque placed on the facility’s Veterans Wall .

North Little Rock Veterans Home

The Arkansas State Veterans Home at North Little Rock serves veterans in central Arkansas.

Address: 2401 John Ashley Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72114-1825
Phone: (501) 683-2382
Email: NLRVH@arkansas.gov 

Eligibility Requirements for Admission

To qualify for admission to an Arkansas Veterans Home, you must have an honorable discharge, a medical need for nursing home placement, and meet skilled care requirements. Arkansas residents receive priority, but out-of-state veterans may be accepted. 

Core Eligibility Criteria

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs lists these requirements for admission :

• Honorable discharge from military service

• Medical need for nursing home placement

• Veterans, veteran’s spouses, and Gold Star parents may apply

• No criminal record 

• Arkansas residents have first priority (out-of-state veterans may be accepted on a space-available basis) 

Skilled Care Requirements

Applicants must meet the skilled care requirements of Medicaid/Medicare in at least two of the Katz Index activities of daily living :

You must answer YES to at least two of these activities to qualify for admission .

Additional Requirements from NASVH Guidelines

The National Association of State Veterans Homes lists these additional eligibility requirements :

• Residency in Arkansas or family living in Arkansas

• Meet income/asset guidelines

• Submit a current medical summary

• Enrolled in VA system and have (or be able to obtain) a VA Primary Care doctor

• Must be able to ambulate by walking, cane, walker, or wheelchair (no motorized wheelchairs)

Required Documents for Application

To apply, you need your DD-214 (or separation papers), a copy of your ID, Medicare and insurance cards, and a completed application with medical and financial information. 

Document Checklist

Prepare these documents before submitting your application :

1. DD-214 or Separation Papers — Proof of military service and discharge character

2. Copy of current ID — Driver’s license or state ID

3. Medicare and insurance cards — Copies of all health coverage cards

4. Social Security card — For identification purposes

5. Release of Information forms — Signed and dated (do not complete top section) 

6. For spouses: Copy of marriage license and the veteran’s discharge papers 

7. Service-connected disability rating — Written verification showing percentage, if applicable 

Financial Information Required

The application asks for financial information to determine eligibility for VA benefits and assess charges :

• Gross monthly income from all sources: VA benefits, Social Security, military retired pay, civil service, interest, dividends, wages, Railroad Retirement, and other sources

• Assets: Home, auto, bonds, CDs, savings/checking accounts, life insurance policies, etc.

If you are private pay or VA per diem, you do not need to provide financial information .

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

The application process involves submitting a pre-admission application, a medical review, possibly an interview, and review by the Admissions Committee. 

Step 1: Contact the Facility

Call the Veterans Home you are interested in to request an application packet or ask questions :

• Fayetteville: (479) 444-7001

• North Little Rock: (501) 683-2382

You can also request a tour of the facility before applying .

Step 2: Complete the Application

Fill out the Application for Admission completely, including :

• Personal information (name, SSN, address, marital status)

• Military service history (branch, serial number, service-connected percentage)

• Medical information (diagnoses, current physician, hospitalizations)

• Financial information (if not private pay or VA per diem)

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

Collect all required documents listed above. The facility recommends submitting everything at once to avoid delays .

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Return the signed application and all documents to the facility :

Fayetteville Veterans Home
1179 N. College Avenue
Fayetteville, AR 72703
Email: FVH@arkansas.gov
Fax: (479) 695-0184

North Little Rock Veterans Home
2401 John Ashley Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72114-1825
Email: NLRVH@arkansas.gov

Step 5: Nurse Interview

A one-on-one interview with the applicant may be conducted by a registered nurse. This interview helps assess the applicant’s care needs and functional status .

Step 6: Admissions Committee Review

The application, medical history, and nurse interview are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The committee determines whether the applicant meets admission criteria and whether the facility can meet their care needs .

Step 7: Admission Decision

If approved, you will be notified of the admission decision. If the facility is at capacity, you may be placed on a waiting list until a bed becomes available.

Services Provided at Arkansas Veterans Homes

Arkansas Veterans Homes provide comprehensive skilled nursing care, including 24-hour nursing, physician services, therapy, social work, and daily activities. 

Services include :

• Hospice care

• Medical Director on-site

• RN, LPN, CNA skilled care around the clock (24 hours/day)

• Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy

• Daily activities coordinated by a Certified Activities Director

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker on staff

• On-site beautician/barber shop

• Transportation available

• Personal laundry at no additional charge

• Cable TV provided at no charge

• Designated smoking area under staff guidance

The Fayetteville home provides RN coverage for all three shifts, 24 hours a day—a level of care not required for private nursing homes .

Skilled Nursing Services

Additional services include :

• Services needed temporarily due to injury or illness

• Post-operative wound care

• Dispensing and monitoring intravenous medications

• Physical therapy for strength and balance

• Speech therapy (e.g., after stroke)

• Occupational therapy for independence in dressing, hygiene, eating

• Pharmaceutical, laboratory, and radiology services

• Social and educational activities

Cost and Payment Options

The daily cost at Fayetteville Veterans Home is $130.00 for a semi-private room and $145.00 for a private room. Medications are billed separately. Payment sources include private pay, Medicare, Medicaid, VA per diem, and private insurance. 

Daily Room Rates (Fayetteville) 

Note: Rates may have changed. Contact the facility directly for current rates.

Payment Sources Accepted 

When you complete the Inquiry for Admission form, you will be asked how you expect to pay for care. Options include:

• Private Pay — Paying from personal funds

• Medicare — Part A, Part B, or both

• Medicaid — State-federal health coverage for low-income individuals

• VA Per Diem — For veterans with 60% or more service-connected disability and unemployability

• Private Insurance — Long-term care insurance or other coverage

Medication Costs

Important: Medications are billed separately from the nursing home’s room and board charges. The pharmacy is contracted with the nursing home .

If the veteran is receiving VA Aid and Attendance compensation, medications can be obtained from the local VA. If not receiving Aid and Attendance, medications are obtained from a local pharmacy .

VA Aid and Attendance

VA Aid and Attendance is a monthly pension benefit for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. It can help pay for nursing home care. 

To qualify for Aid and Attendance :

• You must receive a VA pension

• You must need help with daily activities (bathing, feeding, dressing), OR be bedridden, OR be a nursing home patient, OR have severely limited vision

If you are in a nursing home, you also need to complete VA Form 21-0779 (Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for Aid and Attendance) .

Applications are submitted using VA Form 21-2680 and mailed to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Pension Intake Center
PO Box 5365
Janesville, WI 53547-5365 

Common Questions

Where are the Arkansas Veterans Homes located?

Arkansas has two State Veterans Homes: Fayetteville (1179 N. College Avenue) and North Little Rock (2401 John Ashley Drive). Both are operated by the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs .

Who is eligible for an Arkansas Veterans Home?

Veterans with honorable discharges who have a medical need for nursing home placement. Spouses and Gold Star parents may also apply. Arkansas residents receive priority, but out-of-state veterans may be accepted .

What documents do I need to apply?

You need your DD-214 (or separation papers), copy of ID, Medicare and insurance cards, completed application, and signed Release of Information forms. For spouses, include a copy of your marriage license .

How do I get an application?

Call the facility directly: Fayetteville (479) 444-7001 or North Little Rock (501) 683-2382. You can request an application packet and schedule a tour .

What is the Katz Index requirement?

The Katz Index measures independence in daily activities. You must need help with at least two of the following: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, feeding, or eating. This determines skilled nursing eligibility .

How much does it cost to live at the Arkansas Veterans Home?

At Fayetteville, rates are $130/day for semi-private** and **$145/day for private rooms. Medications are billed separately. Contact the facility for current rates as they may change .

Does VA Aid and Attendance cover the cost?

VA Aid and Attendance provides a monthly pension supplement for wartime veterans who need help with daily activities. If you are in a nursing home, you need VA Form 21-0779 in addition to VA Form 21-2680 .

Can spouses and Gold Star parents apply?

Yes. Veterans’ spouses and Gold Star parents may apply for admission. Up to 25% of occupancy can be qualified non-veterans (spouse, surviving spouse, or Gold Star parents) .

What services are provided?

Services include 24-hour RN/LPN/CNA care, medical director on-site, physical/occupational/speech therapy, social work, hospice care, daily activities, on-site beauty/barber shop, transportation, and cable TV at no charge .

Is there a waiting list?

If the facility is at capacity, you may be placed on a waiting list. The Fayetteville home has 108 beds and North Little Rock has additional capacity. Contact the facility for current availability .

Key Takeaways

• Two State Veterans Homes in Arkansas: Fayetteville and North Little Rock

• Call (479) 444-7001 (Fayetteville) or (501) 683-2382 (North Little Rock) for applications

• Eligibility: Honorable discharge, medical need for nursing home care, meet Katz Index requirements

• Veterans receive priority, but spouses and Gold Star parents may apply (up to 25% occupancy)

• Required documents: DD-214, ID, Medicare/insurance cards, signed releases

• Fayetteville rates: $130/day semi-private, $145/day private (medications billed separately)

• VA Aid and Attendance can help pay for nursing home care; use VA Form 21-2680 and 21-0779

• Admissions process: Application → Nurse interview → Admissions Committee review

• Services include 24-hour nursing, therapy, social work, hospice, and daily activities

• Arkansas residents receive priority; out-of-state veterans may be accepted on space-available basis

Official Resources

• Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.veterans.arkansas.gov/veteran-homes-1 

• VA Aid and Attendance: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/ 

• VA Form 21-2680: https://www.va.gov/forms/21-2680/

• VA Form 21-0779: https://www.va.gov/forms/21-0779/

• VA Benefits Hotline: 800-827-1000

• Veterans Crisis Line: 988 (press 1), Text 838255

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