Homemaker & Personal Care Services for Veterans

Veterans must be enrolled with VA health Care to receive benefits and care. Eligibility for VA health care is determined by the VA and their requirements are listed here. This first step is only for veterans who’ve never accepted medical assistance from the VA before.

After enrolled with VA health care, there are two home care benefit programs veterans can take advantage of individually or combined.:

The first benefit program is the “Community Care Network” which provides Home Health Aid (HHA) care and respite care. For HHA Care, this is a program providing personal care services and help with activities of daily living. Examples: Light housekeeping, shaving, bathing, changing clothing, etc. Hours provided are based on the authorization and can range from 6 to 168 hours per week. A Veteran can receive up to 24/7 care. For Respite Care, this program pays for care for a short time when family caregivers need a break. Hours authorized are determined based on the Veteran’s needs. Respite hours are in addition to any HHA or Aid and Attendance services a Veteran may receive.

The second benefit program is the “Aid & Attendance Pension”. Veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses may qualify for this benefit based on specific wartime duty requirements outlined by the VA. The pension ranges from $1,318 per month for a surviving spouse to $2,431 per month for a married Veteran. Eligibility is financial need-based; the qualifications are based on a Veteran’s income and assets (excludes home, car, and up to 2 acres of land). The pension can be used in addition to any other benefits a Veteran may receive. Visit aidandattendance.com to learn more about eligibility and the application process.

There are some key differences between the different VA benefits:

Form of Payment

• Homemaker/HHA/Respite: Family Matters is paid by the VA. The veteran never sees an invoice and is not responsible for them.
• Aid & Attendance Pension: The veteran is taken on as a private pay client at the provider’s current private pay rate. The veteran uses their Aid & Attendance Pension money towards these payments.

Eligibility

• Homemaker/HHA/Respite: Authorization for services is medical need-based. Only Veterans are eligible for this benefit.
• Aid & Attendance Pension: Financial need-based. Veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses may qualify for this benefit based on specific wartime duty and income requirements.

Veterans must be enrolled with VA health Care to receive benefits and care. There are two methods a Veteran can choose from to apply for benefits: Either through an Online Application or through downloading the 10-10EZ Form Application. If the veteran has received care through VA in the past or is already using these benefits at a different agency, this is inapplicable.

Once enrolled with VA health care, the veteran would need to let the VA know they are interested in Community Care and/or Aid & Attendance Pension.

The referral process for Community Care (HHA) is as follows:

1. Veteran obtains a consult from a VA Primary Care Practitioner (PCP) and mentions Family Matters as their choice of agency.
2. Consult is sent to a caseworker.
3. Case worker decides the amount of hours the Veteran needs.
4. Case worker initiates the referral.
5. Referral is sent to Family Matters In-Home Care.
6. Family Matters accepts the Veteran as a client (depending on the VA Medical Center).
7. Family Matters works directly with the Veteran to schedule services.

The referral process for the Aid & Attendance Pension:

• The veteran can call (888) 228-4500, email help@elderlifefinancial.com or go to aidandattendance.com/survey.

Only through Aid & Attendance can a spouse of a veteran receive benefits. The spouse would have to apply under the Veteran’s name among other qualifications.