VA-Funded Home Care Services

When an agency says they “do VA,” they’re usually referring to Aid & Attendance or the Community Care Network (CCN). These two are the most common, but not the only ones you should be aware of.

If you’re looking to serve veterans, it’s important to know there isn’t one single “VA program” that covers home care. Instead, there are several different benefit paths, each with their own rules, funding, and processes.

Here’s a breakdown of the key programs and what they mean for your agency:

1.1Community Care Network - Homemaker/Home Health Aid & Respite

The Community Care Network (CCN) is a program through which the VA partners with credentialed community providers to deliver medical and non-medical services (including Homemaker/Home Health Aide and Respite Care) to eligible Veterans.

Key Points for Home Care Agencies:

• Veterans must be enrolled in VA healthcare and referred by a VA caseworker or care coordinator.
• Services are authorized by the VA and paid directly to the agency through third-party administrators (Optum or TriWest).
• Typical authorizations range from 6 to 16 hours/week but may be higher based on need (even up to 24/7 in rare cases).
• Reimbursement rates are set annually and vary by location (ranging from ~$28.80 to $82/hour in 2023), making CCN one of the most competitive payer sources in home care.
• Agencies must be credentialed and contracted with the CCN administrator and adhere to VA standards of care.

Most of the VA Vault deals with this program.

1.2Aid & Attendance

Aid & Attendance is a VA pension benefit add-on for eligible wartime Veterans and surviving spouses who need assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and feeding.

Key Points for Home Care Agencies:

• Eligibility is based on military service, honorable discharge, financial need, and care requirements.
• As of writing this, asset limits were capped at $159,240 and the Veteran must have served at least 90 consecutive days, with one day during a wartime period.
• The benefit is paid directly to the Veteran, not the agency. Veterans use the funds to pay for home care services out of pocket.
• Agencies do not bill the VA directly for A&A clients but may need to show they meet VA care standards if working with referral partners.
• Veterans may access A&A directly through the VA or through referral services like Aidandattendance.com, VetAssist, Veteran Care Coordination, and others.
• In 2025 the monthly payment to veterans and spouses is as follows:

  • Surviving Spouse: $1,515
  • Single Veteran: $2,358
  • Married Veteran: $2,795
  • Living Spouse: $1,851
  • Veteran and Spouse: $2,795

Read more from the VA: VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance | Veterans Affairs

1.3Veteran Directed Care

VDC lets Veterans manage their own care by giving them a monthly budget to hire caregivers, including family or friends. It’s available only at select VA Medical Centers and replaces CCN’s Homemaker and Respite services when chosen.

While this program gives Veterans more control, it often bypasses traditional home care agencies, and, like many self-directed models, can be vulnerable to fraud or misuse.

Read more from the VA: Veteran-Directed Care - Geriatrics and Extended Care

1.4Caregiver Support Programs

Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)

PGCSS is available to all caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, regardless of the Veteran’s service history or condition. It offers training, support groups, peer mentoring, and resources, but does not provide financial assistance. It’s meant to help caregivers build skills and get emotional support while caring for a Veteran at home.

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

PCAFC provides monthly financial stipends, training, respite care, and other benefits to approved family caregivers of Veterans with serious injuries or illnesses tied to their service.

Unlike PGCSS, eligibility is more restrictive, and Veterans must meet clinical and service-related criteria. Only one caregiver per Veteran can receive the stipend, and enrollment requires formal VA approval.