Quick answer
Veterans who need nursing home care may be able to use a VA Community Living Center, a community nursing home the VA contracts with, or a state veterans home. Missouri runs seven veterans homes, including Cameron and Warrensburg, and its 2026 monthly rate is $2,773. Kansas runs two, in Winfield and Fort Dodge. Both states require documentation that the veteran needs 24-hour skilled nursing care. (800) 614-8388 to talk through options.
The three VA nursing home settings
| Setting | What it is |
|---|---|
| Community Living Centers | VA nursing centers designed to feel like home |
| Community nursing homes | Non-VA nursing homes the VA contracts with, so care can be near home |
| State veterans homes | State-owned and managed homes for veterans, and sometimes spouses and Gold Star parents |
Whether VA helps pay depends on income and service-connected disability status. Start with a VA social worker.
Missouri veterans homes
- Seven homes: Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mt. Vernon, St. James, St. Louis and Warrensburg. Cameron and Warrensburg are the closest to Kansas City.
- 2026 monthly rate: $2,773, adjusted each January.
- Eligibility includes VA veteran status, Missouri residency for 180 days before applying, and a physician's documentation of the need for 24-hour skilled nursing care.
- Apply with the Missouri Veterans Commission's application packet; each home has an admissions coordinator.
Kansas veterans homes
- Two homes: the Kansas Veterans' Home in Winfield and the Kansas Soldiers' Home in Fort Dodge, both offering long-term care, domiciliary care and dementia care units.
- Veterans must need 24-hour skilled nursing care, documented by a physician. Spouses, surviving spouses and Gold Star parents may qualify on a space-available basis.
- Kansas residency isn't required, but Kansas residents get preference.
- Apply through the Kansas Office of Veterans Services.
Getting started
- Make sure your parent is enrolled in VA health care.
- Talk to a VA social worker at the Kansas City VA Medical Center about nursing home options.
- Contact the admissions coordinator at the state home you prefer.
- Ask about waiting lists, and consider a community nursing home in the meantime.
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Questions families ask
How much does a Missouri veterans home cost?
The 2026 monthly rate is $2,773, per the Missouri Veterans Commission.
Can a spouse live in a state veterans home?
In Kansas, spouses, surviving spouses and Gold Star parents may qualify on a space-available basis. Ask each home.
Do I have to live in Missouri to use a Missouri veterans home?
Yes. Missouri requires 180 days of residency before applying.
Is there a veterans home in Kansas City?
Neither state's veterans homes are in the Kansas City metro. Missouri's Cameron and Warrensburg homes are the nearest. Ask a VA social worker about community nursing homes closer to home.