Pennsylvania Veteran State Veterans Homes List

Pennsylvania operates six state veterans homes through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA): Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home (Philadelphia), Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center (Scranton), Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home (Duncansville), Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home (Erie), Southeastern Veterans’ Center (Spring City), and Southwestern Veterans’ Center (Pittsburgh). These homes provide long-term care including domiciliary, personal, memory, and skilled nursing care to honorably discharged veterans and their eligible spouses or surviving spouses. Admission requires Pennsylvania residency or entry into service from Pennsylvania, financial need with an income limit of $25,956 (adjusted annually), and approval by the home’s admissions committee.

Quick Facts

Complete List of Pennsylvania State Veterans Homes

Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home

• Location: 2701 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154

• Phone: 215-856-2700

• Levels of Care: Domiciliary Care, Memory Care, Personal Care, Nursing Care

Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center

• Location: 401 Penn Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503

• Phone: 570-961-4300

• Levels of Care: Domiciliary Care, Memory Care, Personal Care, Nursing Care

Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home

• Location: PO Box 319, Route 220, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 (also referenced as Duncansville)

• Phone: 814-696-5201

• Levels of Care: Domiciliary Care, Memory Care, Personal Care, Nursing Care

Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home

• Location: PO Box 6239, 560 E. Third Street, Erie, PA 16512

• Phone: 814-871-4531

• Levels of Care: Domiciliary Care, Memory Care, Personal Care, Nursing Care

Southeastern Veterans’ Center

• Location: One Veterans Drive, Spring City, PA 19475

• Phone: 610-948-2400

• Levels of Care: Domiciliary Care, Memory Care, Personal Care, Nursing Care

Southwestern Veterans’ Center

• Location: 7060 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

• Phone: 412-665-6706

• Levels of Care: Domiciliary Care, Memory Care, Personal Care, Nursing Care

Eligibility Requirements

Who Qualifies

To qualify for admission to a Pennsylvania state veterans home, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Veteran or Spouse Status:

• Must be an eligible veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces or Pennsylvania Military Forces and was discharged under honorable conditions

• Spouse of an eligible veteran

• Surviving spouse of an eligible veteran

Residency:

• Must be a bona fide resident of Pennsylvania at the time of application, OR

• Must have entered active duty from Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania listed as home of record)

• Out-of-state veterans may apply only if no Pennsylvania resident is awaiting admission

Financial Need (Income Limits for 2025, adjusted annually):

• Single applicant: Annual income under $25,956

• Applicant with dependents: $25,956 + $1,488 per dependent

• Applicants exceeding these limits may still qualify if they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances creating financial need

Admissions Committee Approval:

• Applicant must be approved by the admissions committee at the chosen home

• Level of care is determined by the committee

Who Does NOT Qualify

The following applicants are ineligible for admission:

• Applicants whose condition requires mental health care or custody

• Applicants whose behavior creates a reasonable threat to health, safety, or welfare of self or others (including those whose behavior would become threatening without medication)

• Applicants whose condition requires treatment not available at the home (unless alternative sources are reasonably available nearby)

• Applicants with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse who may not be responsive to or accept treatment

• Applicants with a contagious disease

• Applicants convicted of a felony, unless they have demonstrated good character for at least 5 years since incarceration

Levels of Care Available

Pennsylvania’s veterans homes offer four levels of care, tailored to residents’ specific health needs:

Not all homes offer all four levels. Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home, Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, and Southeastern Veterans’ Center offer all four levels.

How to Apply

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Choose your preferred home(s): You may select up to two homes (first and second choice). Some homes may have shorter wait times than others.

2. Complete the application: Apply online by saving the completed form and emailing it to RA-MVVA-HOMES@pa.gov, OR print and mail the application to the address on the first page.

3. Have your medical provider complete required forms: Ask your medical provider to complete the MA-51 and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessment Sheet. Note: The ADL form locks after signing, so complete all parts before signing.

4. Application is date stamped and forwarded: The application is date stamped and forwarded to the home of choice for review and processing.

5. Admissions committee reviews: The home determines the appropriate level of care. Denials may be appealed.

6. Placement on waiting list: Applicants are placed on the appropriate waiting list by date of application. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Information

General Inquiries:

• Phone: 1-800-547-2838

• Email: RA-MVVA-HOMES@pa.gov

• Address: DMVA Bureau of Veterans Homes, Bldg 0-47, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002

Direct Admissions Contacts:

Payment for Care

Residents are required to make monthly payments against maintenance fee liability in accordance with their ability to pay. Pennsylvania’s Enhanced Veterans Reimbursement (EVR) program helps reduce long-term care costs for individuals residing in the six veterans homes. The homes are certified as Medical Assistance (MA) providers by the Department of Human Services.

Common Questions

Can I apply to a Pennsylvania veterans home if I’m not a Pennsylvania resident?

Yes, but with restrictions. An eligible veteran who resides in another state may apply if Pennsylvania was listed as their home of record upon entry into active duty or if they served in Pennsylvania’s military forces. However, out-of-state applicants cannot be admitted if a bona fide Pennsylvania resident is awaiting admission.

What is the income limit for admission?

For 2025, the income limit is $25,956 per year for a single applicant. For applicants with dependents, the limit is $25,956 plus $1,488 per dependent. These amounts are adjusted annually based on VA disability compensation adjustments. Applicants exceeding the limit may still qualify if they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances showing financial need.

Can my spouse live with me at the veterans home?

Yes, the spouse of an eligible veteran may also be admitted to a Pennsylvania veterans home. Surviving spouses are also eligible.

How long is the wait for admission?

Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants are placed on a waiting list by date of application. Wait times vary by home depending on demand and availability.

What if my preferred home has a long wait time?

You may select a second choice home on your application. Some Pennsylvania homes may have shorter wait times than others. Your application will be assigned to your first choice, and the second choice will be considered after the first choice reviews the application.

What medical conditions disqualify me from admission?

Applicants with certain conditions may be ineligible, including those requiring mental health care or custody, those whose behavior creates a threat to self or others, those requiring treatment not available at the home, those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse not responsive to treatment, and those with contagious diseases.

Can I appeal a denial of admission?

Yes, denials of admission may be appealed under the procedures in the Pennsylvania Code.

What services are provided at the homes?

Residents receive medical, clinical, and nursing services; drug and nutritional therapy; physical, occupational, and recreational therapy; dental services; and social services. Amenities include libraries, snack bars/gift shops, transportation, hair-care services, and in-house chapels with chaplains.

Key Takeaways

• Pennsylvania operates six state veterans homes: Delaware Valley, Gino J. Merli, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’, Southeastern, and Southwestern

• All homes are operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)

• Eligibility requires honorable discharge, Pennsylvania residency (or entry into service from PA), financial need, and admissions committee approval

• Four levels of care are available: domiciliary, personal care, memory care, and skilled nursing care

• Income limit for 2025 is $25,956 for a single applicant (adjusted annually)

• Spouses and surviving spouses of eligible veterans may also be admitted

• Applications are accepted online or by mail; admission is on a first-come, first-served basis

• The Enhanced Veterans Reimbursement (EVR) program helps reduce long-term care costs

Official Resources

• Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs: www.pa.gov/agencies/dmva

• DMVA Veterans Homes: www.pa.gov/agencies/dmva/pa-veterans-homes

• Apply for Veterans’ Home Residency: www.pa.gov/services/dmva/apply-for-veterans–home-residency

• VA.gov: Veterans benefits information

• USA.gov: General government services

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