Veterans Home Care Benefits in Orange County
Helping Veterans and Their Families Understand VA Home Care Benefits
If you or a loved one served in the military, you may qualify for VA programs that help pay for in-home care. Understanding which benefits are available can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
As a contracted provider for the VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide Program and Respite Care Program, CareWorks Health Services helps eligible veterans receive compassionate in-home care while guiding families through available VA home care options.
VA Caregiver Programs That Can Help Pay for Home Care
There isn’t just one in home care for veterans benefit. Depending on your military service, VA health care enrollment, financial situation, and care needs, you may qualify for one or more programs. Each program has eligibility requirements, benefits that can or can’t be combined.
Compare VA Home Care Programs
VA programs offer different kinds of help, including weekly caregiver hours, monthly financial benefits, respite care, and support for family caregivers. Use this chart to compare how each program works.| Compare Programs | Homemaker & Home Health Aide | Aid & Attendance | Housebound Benefit | Veteran Directed Care | Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers | VA Respite Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Is It? | A caregiver from a VA-contracted home care agency comes to the veteran’s home to help with personal care and daily activities. | A tax-free monthly VA Pension increase that can help pay for home care and other qualifying long-term care expenses. | An increased VA Pension payment for eligible veterans or survivors who are largely confined to the home because of a permanent disability. | The veteran or an approved representative hires, schedules, and manages caregivers using a VA-approved care budget. | A VA program that provides support to an eligible family caregiver who gives ongoing personal care to a qualifying veteran. | Temporary care that gives a family caregiver time to rest, attend appointments, run errands, or travel. |
| What You May Receive | CareWorks has seen authorizations ranging from about 6–21 hours of in-home care per week.* | Up to $3,845 per month in 2026, depending on eligibility. | An increased monthly pension payment. The amount varies by pension category, dependents, income, and eligibility. | An individualized monthly care budget approved by the VA. | Caregiver training, support services, respite care, and a possible tax-free monthly stipend. Stipend amounts depend on the approved care level and local pay rate. | Up to 30 days per calendar year. In-home respite may be provided for up to six consecutive hours per visit. |
| Who May Qualify? | Veterans enrolled in VA health care who meet the clinical requirements and are approved for the service. | Eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses who qualify for a VA Pension and meet the VA’s service, medical, income, and net-worth rules. | Eligible veterans or surviving spouses who qualify for a VA Pension and meet the VA’s Housebound requirements. | Veterans enrolled in VA health care who meet the clinical requirements and have access to the program through their local VA. | Veterans enrolled in VA health care who meet PCAFC service-connected disability and ongoing personal-care requirements, along with an eligible family caregiver. | Veterans enrolled in VA health care who meet the clinical requirements and whose family caregiver needs temporary relief. |
| Combined With Other Benefits? | May be used with: Respite Care, Aid & Attendance or Housebound, and PCAFC when each program is approved.Generally not used with: Veteran Directed Care for the same authorized care. | May be used with: Homemaker & Home Health Aide, Respite Care, PCAFC, and possibly Veteran Directed Care.Cannot be used with: Housebound Benefit. | May be used with: Homemaker & Home Health Aide, Respite Care, PCAFC, and possibly Veteran Directed Care.Cannot be used with: Aid & Attendance. | Depends on VA approval. It may be coordinated with Respite Care, PCAFC, and either Aid & Attendance or Housebound.It is generally not used with the Homemaker Program for the same care. | May be used with: Homemaker & Home Health Aide, Respite Care, and either Aid & Attendance or Housebound when separately approved. | May be used with: Homemaker & Home Health Aide, PCAFC, and either Aid & Attendance or Housebound. Coordination with Veteran Directed Care depends on the care plan. |
| Learn More | Homemaker Program | Aid & Attendance | Housebound Benefit | Veteran Directed Care | VA Caregiver Support | VA Respite Care |
NOTE: A veteran cannot receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time, and must be receiving a monthly pension in order to qualify for either of these additional benefits. The VA will assign the higher-paying option if you qualify for both.
1. VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide Program
The VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide (H/HHA) Program sends a trained caregiver to the veteran’s home. The caregiver works for a licensed non medical home care agency that has a contract with the VA.
This program can help veterans stay at home instead of moving into a nursing facility.
What Help Can a Caregiver Provide?
- Bathing and grooming
- Dressing
- Toileting and incontinence care
- Eating and meal preparation
- Walking and transfers
- Light housekeeping
- Grocery shopping
- Companionship and supervision
The caregivers are not nurses. However, the care is overseen by the home care business who conducts in person supervisory visits to check that their caregivers are following the veteran’s care plan.
Caregivers are not permitted to drive, however the VA provides transportation shuttles.
Quick Facts
🏠 Care is provided in your home
⏰ Typically 6–21c approved caregiving hours per week (based on VA assessment)
💙 Provided by a VA-contracted home care agency
🗓️ Approvals usually last 6 months at a time and then renew for another 6 months.
💲A copay may apply for some veterans based on their VA Priority Group
Who May Be Eligible?
The veteran generally must:
- Be enrolled in VA health care
- Assistance with everyday activities because of age, illness, disability, or other health conditions.
- Be eligible for community care
- Be living at home and not in a skilled nursing facility.
- Meet the VA’s clinical requirements
- Live in an area where the program is available
The VA assesses the veteran’s health, daily care needs, home situation, and current support before approving services.
How Many Caregiving Hours Are Provided?
There is no standard number of hours for homemaker services and personal care assistance for every veteran.
In our experience, CareWorks Health Services has received VA authorizations ranging from about 6 to 21 hours per week. Veterans with greater physical needs may receive more hours. The VA PACT team makes the final decision based on its assessment and care plan.
CareWorks Health Services is proud to be one of a few Orange county homecare agencies contracted with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the Homemaker and Home Health Aide Program.
What Does the Homemaker Program Cost?
For most veterans, approved caregiving hours are paid for by the VA.
Many veterans with a service-connected disability have no copay for Homemaker and Home Health Aide services. Other veterans may have a small copay, depending on their VA Priority Group and overall eligibility.
Your VA care team will let you know if a copay applies before services begin.
Can This Program Be Used With Other VA Benefits?
The Homemaker and Home Health Aide Program may be used with other Home and Community Based services, including respite care. Some veterans may also receive Aid & Attendance, Housebound benefits, or PCAFC support if they meet each program’s separate rules.
The VA decides how services can be coordinated.
How Do You Apply?
- Enroll in VA health care.
- Talk with your VA primary care team or social worker and explain what help is needed
- Complete all required assessments with PACT team, in person assessment VA Medical center (it make take all day)
- If approved, the VA sends an authorization to a contracted home care agency.
Good to Know:
CareWorks Health Services is a contracted home care assistance provider for the VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide Program. Once we receive the authorization, we coordinate the caregiver schedule and provide the approved services.
We bill the VA directly for authorized services. If your care has been authorized, you won’t receive a bill from CareWorks for those approved hours. If you would like additional hours beyond what the VA authorizes, we can discuss private pay options.
Need Help Understanding the Process?
We can explain how the program works and what happens after the VA issues an authorization.
2. VA Aid and Attendance Benefit
Aid & Attendance pays tax-free monthly cash benefit to veterans, who do not have a service-connected disability, that can be used toward qualifying care expenses on top of the VA Pension. It helps qualified wartime veterans and surviving spouses pay for long-term care. Many families use these funds to help pay for in-home care, assisted living, medical expenses not paid by insurance.
Unlike the Homemaker Program, the VA does not send an agency or caregiver. The eligible person receives a monthly pension payment and uses it toward care costs.
What Can Aid and Attendance Help Pay For?
Aid & Attendance benefits may help pay for:
- In-home care
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Adult day care
- Nursing home care
- Other approved medical expenses
Who May Be Eligible for Aid & Attendance VA?
Veterans and their spouses may be eligible for VA aid and Attendance benefits to help pay for caregiver service at home. The applicant must first qualify or be receiving a VA Pension.
The veteran generally must have:
Military Service Requirements
Longer service rules may apply if active duty began after September 7, 1980.
Medical Requirements
One of these must be true:
Financial Requirements
Eligibility for Surviving Spouses
The surviving spouse of a veteran may also qualify, providing he or she was still married to the veteran at the time of the veteran’s death. In most cases, this includes remaining unmarried after the veteran’s death, although certain exceptions may apply.
Can Aid & Attendance Be Combined With Other Programs?
It may be used alongside VA Homemaker services, respite care, VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance Family Caregiver , or other approved VA health care programs.
However, Aid & Attendance and the Housebound Benefit cannot be paid at the same time.
Asset and Net Worth Limit in 2026
The VA reviews your net worth to determine whether you qualify for Aid & Attendance. Net worth includes your countable assets plus your annual countable income, but some assets are not counted.
For 2026, the VA’s maximum net worth limit is $163,699. Net worth includes:
Countable assets + annual countable income= Net Worth
Review what the VA determines as assets for pension net worth this to determine whether you have sufficient financial resources to pay for your own care before receiving pension benefits.
What Counts Toward Net Worth?
💰 Maximum 2026 Net Worth
$163,699
Countable assets
Annual countable income.
⏳ 36 months Look-Back Rule
Asset transfers made before you apply.
Giving away assets to qualify for benefits may delay eligibility
📋 Income Counted
Checking & savings
Social Security benefits
Pensions
Investments, Assets, & income
🏠 Assets NOT Counted
Primary residence (within VA acreage limit)
One vehicle
Personal belongings
Household furniture
How Is VA Aid & Attendance Calculated?
Maximum Annual Pension (MAPR)
↓
Minus Your Countable Income
↓
Minus Eligible Medical Expenses
↓
Your Monthly Aid & Attendance Benefit
The amount you receive is based on your financial need, not a flat monthly payment.
Use this calculator to calculate VA Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits for veterans and survivors needing assistance.
If your eligible medical expenses reduce your countable income, your monthly Aid & Attendance benefit may increase.
Medical Expenses That May Reduce Countable Income
✓ Home care
✓ Assisted Living
✓ Nursing Home
✓ Medicare Premiums
✓ Health Insurance
✓ Long-Term Care Insurance
✓ Prescription Drugs
✓ Medical Equipment
Learn More: Visit the official VA website to review how income and medical expenses affect VA Pension eligibility.
Good to Know: Every family’s financial situation is different. The VA reviews your income, assets, and eligible medical expenses before determining your monthly benefit.
What Documents Will I Need?
👤 Personal Information
Social Security number
VA file number, if available
Marriage certificate, if applicable
Dependent information
🎖️ Military Records
DD214 or other discharge papers
Military service history
Character of discharge
.
🩺 Medical Records
Records describing the medical condition
VA Form 21-2680
Nursing home records, if applicable
Proof of help needed with daily activities
💵 Financial Information
Social Security, pension and retirement income
Bank, investments & Assets information
Unreimbursed medical expenses
Home care or facility expenses
Medicare and insurance premiums
Before you start: Missing your DD214? You can request military service records before applying. Also ask your doctor to complete VA Form 21-2680 carefully—the form helps the VA understand how much help you need with everyday activities.
Need to find a VA form? Search by the VA Forms by name, number or keyword.
How Do I Apply?
Required Forms
- Pension Claim form- VA Form 21P-527EZ (for veterans) or VA Form 21P-534EZ (for survivors)
- Submit Examination for Aid and Attendance or Housebound Status VA Form 21-2680 (completed by you and your doctor)
- Upload the claim online, by mail, or through a VA regional office.
- Consider asking an accredited Veterans Service Organization for help.
- Unreimbursed Medical Expenses (Home Care, Nursing home, mileage, medical expenses) VA Form 21R-8416
Supporting Documents
- Proof of Military Service: Form DD214 or separation papers
- Medical statements and records
- Financial records
- Marriage/Death Certificates: requirement for surviving spouse
Review the current VA Aid & Attendance eligibility rules and application steps on the official VA website.
Aid & Attendance Submission Methods
NOTE: This veteran benefit process can take 4–6 months to process, but all benefits are retro‑dated back to the original filing date.
Source: Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Already Receiving Homemaker Hours?
Aid & Attendance may help pay for added caregiver hours or care costs that are not covered by the veteran’s VA authorization.
3. VA Housebound Benefit
The VA Housebound Benefit is extra money added to an eligible VA Pension. It is for veterans or survivors who spend most of their time at home because of a permanent disability or 100% service-connected disability. It is a cash benefit, not a home care service.
The exact payment depends on the applicant’s income, dependents, pension category, and other eligibility details.
Although both programs provide additional monthly financial assistance, you cannot receive both Aid & Attendance and the Housebound Benefit at the same time. If you qualify for both, the VA will award the benefit that provides the greater amount.
VA Housebound Requirements
Housebound is a benefit paid in addition to a monthly pension. Like the Aid and Attendance benefit, Housebound benefits may not be paid without eligibility to pension. A veteran may be eligible for Housebound benefits when:
How to Apply for Housebound Benefits:
NOTE: This veteran benefit process can take 4–6 months to process, but all benefits are retro‑dated back to the original filing date.
Source: Department of Veteran’s Affairs
Housebound Benefit Submission Methods
NOTE: This veteran benefit process can take 4–6 months to process, but all benefits are retro‑dated back to the original filing date.
Source: Department of Veteran’s Affairs
4. Veteran Directed Care
Veteran Directed Care (VDC) Program, gives eligible veterans more control over who provides their care. The veteran or an approved representative receives help creating a care plan and managing a VA-approved budget. They may then recruit, hire, schedule, and oversee their own caregivers.
Although both programs provide additional monthly financial assistance, you cannot receive both Aid & Attendance and the Housebound Benefit at the same time. If you qualify for both, the VA will award the benefit that provides the greater amount.
Who May Qualify?
The veteran generally must:
- Be enrolled in VA health care
- Meet clinical need for help with ADLs such as bathing, dressing toileting, etc
- Live in an area where local VA medical center offers Veteran Directed Care
The program is not available in every location.
What Does the Veteran Manage?
Veteran Directed Care offers flexibility, but it also requires work.
The veteran or representative may need to:
- Find and interview caregivers
- Complete caregiver paperwork
- Make sure required screening is completed
- Build and manage the work schedule
- Review and submit timesheets
- Track the approved budget
- Arrange backup care
Depending on local rules, caregiver screening may include background checks, registration, or other onboarding steps.
How to Apply
- Be enrolled in VA health care
- Contact your VA primary care doctor.
- Request for a consult
- Complete assessments with PACT team. This may involve an all day evaluation with the VA clinical team to assess your needs to see if you qualify for home care.
- Once the VA approves your clinical eligibility, they partner with the regional Aging and Disability Network Agency to build your budget. If you live in Orange county, the Orange County Office on Aging provides options counselors to help manage your home care budget. Call them at 800-510-2020 or stop in at their office at 1300 S. Grand Avenue, Building B, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
Need hands on help with completing the application? Make an appointment with your local VA Resource Center