Veteran Affairs and Benefits
Can I use VA Benefits to pay for In-Home Healthcare?
Wartime veterans and their surviving spouses, 65 years and older, may be entitled to a tax-free benefit called Aid and Attendance provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs.
The Benefit is designed to provide financial aid to help offset the cost of long-term care for those who need assistance with the daily activities of living such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a period of war.
- Must have anything other than a Dishonorable discharge.
- A surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran at the time of his passing.
- Must require the assistance of another person to perform some of the daily activities of living.
- Must meet income and countable asset criteria established by the VA. Must be 65 years and older or totally disabled.
Eligible Periods of War
World War II: December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946, inclusive. If the veteran was in service on December 31, 1946, continuous service before July 26, 1947, is considered World War II service.
Korean conflict: June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955, inclusive.
Vietnam era: The period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in the case of a veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. The period beginning on August 5, 1964, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in all other cases. (Note: From February 28, 1961 to Aug 4, 1964, vet must have boots on the ground.) Persian Gulf War: August 2, 1990, through date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law.
A Homemaker or Home Health Aide
Feeding and bathing another person can be incredibly stressful, physically tasking, and time-consuming for you. Often, taking care of a Veteran’s needs leaves no time for you to take care of your own needs. The Homemaker and Home Health Aide Program is designed to help a Veteran with personal care needs. Your local VA medical center can help arrange for a home health aide who will come to your home on a regular schedule to allow you time to take care of your own needs. Caring for yourself helps you stay strong for yourself and the Veteran you care for. is a trained person who can come to a Veteran’s home and help the Veteran take care of themselves and their daily activities. Homemakers and Home Health Aides do not send nurses, but they are supervised by a registered nurse who will help assess the Veteran’s daily living needs. this program is for Veterans who need in home personal care services and help with activities of daily living. This program is also for Veterans who are isolated, or their caregiver is experiencing burden.
Homemaker and Home Health Aide services can be used in combination with other Home and Community Based Services. Services may vary by location. Homemaker Home Health Aides work for an organization that has a contract with VA. Homemaker or Home Health Aide services can be used as a part of an alternative to nursing home care, and to get Respite Care at home for Veterans and their family caregiver. The services of a Homemaker or Home Health Aide can help Veterans remain living in their own home and can serve Veterans of any age.
At VA Kares we love to provide quality in-home care to our Veterans. Please call us at 276-601-2846 or visit the contact page to ask us any questions you may have.