Delivering A Higher Standard® of Care to Veterans
In-home care benefits are available for eligible United States Veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If you or a loved one served in the Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Space Force — and were honorably separated — you or they may qualify to receive financial assistance for in-home support services. These Veterans Affairs benefits extend to current and former members of the National Guard or Reserve who meet certain active-duty requirements.1
There are a variety of programs through Veterans Affairs (Community Care Network, VA Aid and Attendance, Housebound Allowance and VA Health Care) that may cover some (or all) of the costs for in-home care support services (meal preparation, grooming, toileting, errands, etc.) for eligible Veterans and surviving military spouses. These services are called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). VA Health Care may also cover the costs of respite care, which is short-term, in-home care that allows the primary family caregiver to rest and recharge from their ongoing responsibilities of caring for their loved one.
Eligible Veterans may also have coverage for more advanced needs through their VA Health Care, such as at-home infusions, wound care, physical therapy and disease management for conditions like diabetes, among other medical support. These services are typically categorized as Skilled Home Health Care or Skilled Nursing. You can find more information in the VA Health Coverage for Skilled Services section farther down this page.
An Instant and Enduring Friendship
The respect, kindness and joy that Byron and his caregiver Ryan share is a two-way street. Bonding over shared experiences, love for cats and passion for art, Byron is thankful for Ryan’s reliable presence in his life.
Who is Eligible for the Home Care Program?
We recognize that the vast amount of information related to Veteran Affairs benefits can be overwhelming, so we’re here to help you. We are providing you with…
- a brief overview of some resources and programs you may qualify for,
- links to program sites where you can find more details and
- an easy way to contact us so we can help you navigate the VA resources you’re eligible for call us at 813.870.6700 .
It’s important to note that those with VA Health Care “have the right to be involved in choosing (their) providers.” This includes providers like BrightStar Care Tampa that offer in-home HHA care or Skilled Nursing care. In addition, you should not be charged by an individual or organization to fill out application forms for VA assistance.
Community Care Network (CCN)
The Community Care Network (CCN) was created in response to Veterans not receiving health care in a timely fashion. CCN providers such as BrightStar Care have been credentialed with the VA to work in coordination with the eligible Veteran’s primary care provider to deliver Veterans home care services.
Each VA office has its own policies, but you typically must need assistance with at least three (3) ADLs in order to qualify for Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care (H/HHA), which is sometimes referred to as a Home Health Aide Care (HHA).
Home Health Aides (HHA) – also called caregivers – are not nurses, but they are supervised by a Registered Nurse (RN) who assesses the ongoing needs of the Veteran being cared for. Find details from the VA here or review an online summary here.
BrightStar Care is contracted with TriWest Healthcare Alliance® and Optum Serve® (the VA's third party administrators –TPAs) to facilitate healthcare services to Veterans in their home. Learn more about how we can care for your loved one and contact our office at 813.870.6700.
VA Aid and Attendance
While CCN benefits are paid directly to the provider, financial support from VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance provides monthly payments added to the amount of the VA pension for qualified Veterans and survivors.
You could be eligible for VA Aid and Attendance if you receive a VA pension AND you meet at least one of these requirements:
- You need another person to help you perform daily activities such as bathing, feeding and dressing. These are sometimes called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
- You must stay in bed – or spend a large portion of the day in bed – due to illness.
- You are a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability.
- Your eyesight is limited (even with glasses or contact lenses you have only 5/200 or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less).
You could be eligible for Housebound Benefits if you receive a VA pension and you spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability (a disability that doesn’t go away).
Some Veterans may be eligible to receive one or both benefits, so it’s important to verify what you specifically qualify for. If you need help with daily activities or you’re housebound, learn more on the VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound section of the Veterans Affairs website or call our office at 813.870.6700 .
VA Health Coverage for Skilled Services
While CCN and VA Aid and Attendance provide financial support for ADLs for eligible Veterans and survivors, VA Health may pay for some in-home skilled care not covered by Medicare.
Nurses can provide a wide range of skilled services to support Veterans with their medical needs at home, including wound care, medical equipment set-up and operation, ostomy and catheter maintenance, infusions, blood draws and other required (and approved) treatments.
In addition, some Veterans who have VA Health may be eligible to receive physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy (SLP) at home. These therapies are designed to help individuals regain physical function or their ability to perform their daily activities after an illness, injury or surgery. Speech and language pathologists often support patients recovering from stroke (and other conditions) with rehabilitation care addressing issues such as swallowing, speaking and cognitive (memory and thinking) challenges.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, you can find details on the Veterans Affairs website under “How do I access these services?” In addition, if you have general questions about covering the costs of Long-Term Care (LTC), the VA provides a large amount of helpful information. If you don’t have VA Health Care yet, you can sign up here or call 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday.
VA Caregiver Support Program
Veterans Affairs recognizes the significant role that family caregivers play in supporting their loved one. Family members of eligible Veterans that are enrolled in VA Health have access to the VA Caregiver Support Program, which is comprised of two separate programs.
The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) provides peer support mentoring, skills training, coaching, telephone support, online programs and referrals to resources for caregivers of Veterans. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offers enhanced clinical support for Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans.
Where Do I Start?
The VA offers content to help you answer key questions about the process of determining eligibility for benefits, as well as how to apply. Although we’ve provided links and information that allow you to get started on your own, we are more than happy to walk alongside you throughout the process.
There are many nuances and details that are important to address so you can avoid or reduce delays for needed services – our experience in supporting other Veterans can be a helpful resource.
Fill out VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) and mail it to the VA Pension Management Center (PMC) for your state. You can have your doctor fill out the examination information section. You can also include additional evidence with your VA form.
If you’re in a nursing home, you’ll also need to fill out a Request for Nursing Home Information in Connection with Claim for Aid and Attendance (VA Form 21-0779).
If you prefer to apply in person, you can take your information to your nearest Veteran Affairs regional office, which you can search for here.
After you’re signed up, simply contact your nearest VA location to schedule an appointment for an assessment by request Home Health Aide (HHA) services or Respite Care services. When making this call, you can request that your services be provided by BrightStar Care Tampa, which is credentialed to provide care to Veterans.
A VA case manager will contact you to let you know how many hours of care you qualify for and which agency they have authorized to provide the care. At any point, you can request BrightStar Care as your service provider or remind the case manager that’s the agency you prefer. The program coordinator is then required to work with your selected home care agency.
We know this can be an overwhelming time in your life. You may contact our office for assistance by calling 813.870.6700 . We are here to help you navigate the VA resources available to you and your family.
Why Should Veterans Choose Home Care from BrightStar Care Tampa?
We consider it to be the highest honor to care for Veterans by supporting their independence and dignity. We come into your home to assist you – but we are the ones who are blessed by the stories you share and the love you have for our country.
Our caregivers and nurses are committed to providing one-on-one care for services ranging from meal prep, mobility and errands to wound care, infusions, ostomy maintenance, physical therapy and disease management. BrightStar Care Tampa provides nurse-led care and Registered Nurse (RN) oversight for each Veteran we serve.
Our wide-ranging expertise supports those with serious conditions including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions. We also provide our team with specialized training for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
In addition to the care you’ll receive from our local team, BrightStar Care agencies across the country have extensive experience serving our esteemed Veterans:
- 1,132,728 hours of care provided collectively by our agencies in 2023
- 389 agencies credentialed with Optum and TriWest
- 5,200+ Veterans cared for in 2023
Contact Us Today
For more than 20 years, BrightStar Care has been committed to meeting a wide range of needs and are especially proud of the compassionate, high-quality care we’ve provided to our nation’s heroes – Veterans and their families. Contact our team online or call 813.870.6700 to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.
1 This is a general summary of eligibility information and does not constitute a guarantee of coverage or eligibility for VA programs. Please visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for complete information.
DISCLAIMER: The content and links included on this website are designed to provide you with general information as a courtesy and to provide you with a starting point for VA benefits. We do not represent the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or participate in decisions made by the VA regarding benefits eligibility and coverage amounts. The VA website provides a variety of ways to contact them, including calling, contacting a local VA facility, sending a message online and more. Please visit their Contact Us page for details on each communication option.