As the number of aging veterans grows nationwide, the need for personalized senior care can become a major concern for them and their families. The financial piece can often be the biggest challenge families face when considering home care services for their loved one.

Many senior veterans who served in the U.S. military — including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard — aren’t aware they may be eligible for in-home personal care benefits through the Veterans Administration (VA).

Who Qualifies For Veterans Benefits?

If your loved one previously served in the U.S. military, they could be eligible for financial assistance to help pay for home care. Veterans may qualify for personal home care or health benefits through the VA if they meet the following criteria:

• Served in the active military, naval, or air service and were separated under any condition other than dishonorable.
• Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty (other than for training only) by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty.

How Do Veterans Benefits Work?

U.S. military veterans may qualify for personal care benefits through the Aid and Attendance or the Community Care Network programs.

Here’s how each program works:

• Aid and Attendance benefits
  Veterans who receive a VA pension may qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits if they need help with daily activities, are bed-bound, live in a nursing home, or have limited eyesight. Veterans may qualify for “Housebound” benefits if they need to spend most of their time at home due to a permanent disability. In most cases, benefits are paid directly to the veteran and added to their monthly pension.

• Community Care Network benefits
  Veterans who qualify for Community Care Network benefits may be eligible for assistance with home-health care costs. Qualified veterans will be assigned to a service care coordinator, who will determine how many hours per week the veteran requires care and will help the family connect with caregivers in their area. Community Care Network benefits are paid directly to partner organizations.

How Can Families Apply For Veterans Benefits?

Families can apply for personal care benefits through the Veterans Administration by completing the 10-10EZ form and sending it to the Veterans Administration. Visiting Angels is happy to provide assistance with completing this form at the request of seniors and their families. Veterans may also visit the Hennepin County Veteran's Services location for information and assistance with the application process. If your senior lives outside of Hennepin county, you can visit or contact any of the Veterans Centers and ask to speak to a service coordinator, social worker, discharge planner, or case manager. They will be able to help veterans with the application and answer questions about the program.

You must provide identification and documentation of your loved one’s veteran status. You might need to provide financial statements or medical documents to show your veteran's status. Your VA service coordinator can provide more information about the documents you must provide with your application.

When Should Seniors Apply For Veterans’ Benefits?

The best time to apply for home care benefits through the VA is before you need to use them. Application processing times can take some time, so it's best to get the application submitted as soon as possible to avoid paying out of pocket for home care services while you wait for approval.

How Can Visiting Angels Help Veterans?

Visiting Angels is here to provide support for all aging adults, including veterans, who desire to age in place in the comforts of home. Professional caregivers assist with personal care tasks, including grooming, dressing, bathing, toileting, light housekeeping, and meal preparation. In addition, we can provide medication set-up, transportation, nurse visits and other care tasks so be sure to reach out to learn more about ways in which we can best support you and/or your loved one. 

Scheduling a free home care consultation with Visiting Angels is the first step in getting home care for your loved one. The consultation can take place in person, over the phone, or even virtually, whichever works best for you.  During the consultation, you can discuss the qualification requirements for veterans’ benefits and how to apply. We can be reached by phone at 952-935-0789 or use the button below and we will reach out to you.