When it comes to home care, Veterans have several options to explore. From the Aid and Attendance benefit to the VA Community Care Network’s Home Health Aide, Homemaker, and Respite Care programs, as well as Veteran-Directed Care. In this article, we’ll dive into each of these options, breaking down what they offer and how you can qualify for these valuable benefits.
Community Care Network (CCN)
The VA is committed to ensuring Veterans receive the healthcare they deserve. While many health services are directly provided through VA Medical Centers and outpatient clinics, certain services, such as home care, require outsourcing to community providers. This is where the VA’s Community Care Network comes in. Home care services, including homemaker assistance, Home Health Aides, and respite care, are not directly offered by the VA. Instead, the responsibility is delegated to private home care agencies. This network ensures that eligible Veterans receive high-quality, timely, and accessible care outside the VA healthcare system.
Here’s a closer look at the key home care services available as part of the Community Care Network:
- Homemaker/ Home Health Aide – A Home Health Aide is a trained professional who provides essential assistance to Veterans in their homes, helping with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and feeding. This support enables Veterans to continue living comfortably and independently in their own homes.
- Respite Care – Respite care offers temporary relief for family caregivers by funding a professional caregiver to step in and provide necessary care for the Veteran. This ensures continuous, uninterrupted care for the Veteran while giving family caregivers a much-needed break.
How to Qualify for Care Under the CCN
Home Health Aide and Respite Care is available to all Veterans enrolled in the VA Health system who have demonstrated needs for assistance with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
For Veterans who are not enrolled in VA health care, they must apply first. Eligibility is based on military service, enlistment dates, and income criteria:
- Military Service: Must have served active military, naval, or air service and separated under any conditions other than dishonorable.
- Enlistment Dates & Income:
- Prior to Sep 7, 1980, Annual income less than $56,700
- After Sep 7, 1980, Annual income less than $56,700, and served 24 continuous months of active duty.
Once these eligibility criteria have been met, a Veteran can sign up for VA Health via the following channels
- By Phone: Call 877-222-8387.
- In Person: Local VA facility or with a Veteran Service Officer (VS0)
- Online: Apply online
- By Mail: Sign & complete a 10-10EZ form with required documentation
The Aid and Attendance Program
While the CCN is a health needs-based program, the Aid and Attendance program focuses on financial need. For Veterans, spouses, or surviving spouses who require ongoing support but lack financial resources, the Aid and Attendance benefit can help cover the costs of care. Participants can receive direct monthly payments ranging from $1,478 to $2,727, which can be used to pay for home care.
As with other VA programs, this benefit helps if you need assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
How to Qualify for Aid and Attendance
Eligibility requirements for the Aid and Attendance pension is based on four criteria:
- Military Service – Certain dates of service and discharge status are required.
- Health Needs – The Veteran must need assistance with daily living activities or have a cognitive impairment.
- Monthly Income – Household income is evaluated to determine the benefit amount.
- Total Assets – The Veteran’s assets are assessed, with exclusions for specific items like the primary residence and personal property
For detailed information on eligibility requirements for Aid and Attendance, please click here.
Eligible Veterans can apply for Aid and Attendance by completing Form 21-2680 and sending it to the pension management center (PMC) in the Veteran’s state. Alternatively, Veterans can apply in person at their nearest VA regional office.
If approved, you’ll receive an award letter and deposit; if denied, you can appeal within a year.
Veteran-Directed Care
Veteran Directed Care (VDC) gives Veterans the ability to have choice and control over their services and support in the community. VDC is only available at 71 VA Medical Centers in 37 states. While the services mentioned previously in this article can sometimes be used concurrently, by choosing VDC, Veterans are opting out of the Homemaker/Home Health Aide and Respite programs.
Participants in this program receive a service budget, which can be managed by the Veteran or their representative. With guidance from a counselor, Veterans can hire workers to assist with their daily needs, enabling them to live independently at home or within their community.
How to Qualify for Veteran-Directed Care
To receive services under the Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program, Veterans must meet specific administrative and clinical eligibility criteria.
Administrative Eligibility:
- The Veteran must be enrolled in VA health care.
- The Veteran must meet community care eligibility criteria.
- VDC services must be ordered by a VA or VA-paid provider.
Clinical Eligibility:
- Living alone in the community
- The Veteran has been assessed to need a nursing home level of care, demonstrated by:
- Dependency in three or more activities of daily living (ADLs), or
- Significant cognitive impairment affecting decision-making or memory, or
- Need for VDC services as additional care to community hospice services, or
- Dependency in two ADLs plus two or more of the following:
- Dependency in three or more instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
- Recent discharge from or an upcoming discharge plan from a nursing facility contingent on receiving home and community-based care services
- Age 75 or older
- High use of medical services (three or more hospitalizations in the past year or twelve or more outpatient or emergency visits in the past year).
- Diagnosis of clinical depression
Ensuring Veterans Receive the Care They Deserve
The Community Care Network, Aid and Attendance benefits, or Veteran-Directed Care programs are designed to provide the necessary support and financial assistance to meet specific health or financial needs. By understanding these options and eligibility requirements, you can take full advantage of the services available, ensuring you or your loved one receives high-quality, personalized care at home. Reach out to your local VA office or visit the VA website to explore these valuable benefits further.
This article was contributed by Paradigm, a leading company specializing in VA, Medicaid, and third-party billing solutions for home care agencies. Widely recognized as experts in third-party payers within the home care industry, Paradigm supports home care agencies that serve veterans, Medicaid beneficiaries, and other care recipients who rely on third-party payers.
