VA Programs
Veteran-Directed Care
A VA program that hands the veteran a budget and lets them hire and manage their own caregivers, including, in many cases, family members.
Who May Qualify
- Veterans enrolled in VA health care
- Veterans who need help with daily activities and want to direct their own care
- Veterans in an area where the program is offered, since availability is not yet nationwide
What It Covers
- Hiring family members or trusted caregivers directly
- Managing a personalized care budget
- Paying for home care, supplies, and services the veteran chooses
How It Works in Practice
The budget is administered with a local Area Agency on Aging rather than by VA alone, so the starting point is often the veteran's VA social worker plus the local agency.
Because the veteran hires the caregiver, there is frequently no home care agency involved at all. A family member may be the paid caregiver.
Availability varies by location. Ask the veteran's VA medical center whether the program operates in their area.
