The Central Florida Family's Roadmap to VA Home-Care Benefits

Five named programmes live here: Homemaker and Home Health Aide, Home-Based Primary Care, Respite Care, Veteran-Directed Care, and VA Skilled Home Health Care. These are the words you will hear at the VA, so ask for them by name.

• Enroll in VA health care, if not enrolled alreadyApply at VA.gov, by mail, or with a Veterans Service Officer, using VA Form 10-10EZ
• Discuss your home-care needs with your VA primary care teamAsk about the programme by name: Homemaker and Home Health Aide, Home-Based Primary Care, Respite, Veteran-Directed Care, or VA Skilled Home Health Care
• A VA clinician completes a needs assessment
• The VA authorizes services and coordinates care through your local VA medical centerThe assessment sets the hours and the type of service, and a copay can apply depending on income.
• Services begin, in the hours and type the assessment approvedThe assessment sets the hours and the type of help, and a copay can apply depending on income

These are the names you will hear at the VA. They all run through the same enrolment and assessment above.

• Homemaker and Home Health Aide ProgramEveryday help at home: bathing, dressing, meals, housekeeping.
• Home-Based Primary CareA VA care team visits at home instead of the veteran travelling to clinic.
• Respite CareShort breaks for the family caregiver.
• Veteran-Directed CareA self-directed budget the veteran uses to hire their own help.
• VA Skilled Home Health CareNursing or therapy at home, ordered by a doctor. HomeWell Orlando does not provide skilled nursing; we partner with skilled care providers and can connect you with the right one.

A monthly payment added to a wartime veteran or surviving spouse VA pension when help with daily living is needed. This is money the family can put toward the care they choose, and what you already spend on care can bring you under the income line.

• Confirm the service test: 90 or more days of active duty with at least one day during a recognised wartime period, and a discharge that is not dishonourable90 or more days of active duty with at least one day during a recognised wartime period
• Meet the net-worth limit, about $163,699 in 2026Unreimbursed care costs reduce countable income, so families who think they earn too much often still qualify. Martin can walk you through what counts and what does not
• Add up what the family already pays for careUnreimbursed care costs reduce the income the VA counts, so families who look like they earn too much often still qualify. This is the step most people miss.
• Document the need for daily assistance from your physicianVA Form 21-2680, completed by the doctor
• File the pension applicationVA Form 21P-527EZ for veterans; surviving spouses file a related form. File online at VA.gov, by mail, or in person with a Veterans Service Officer, who helps free of charge. File online, by mail, or with a Veterans Service Officer.
• The VA reviews and issues a decision
• If approved, a monthly pension with the Aid and Attendance increase begins, retroactive to the month after filing

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers pays a monthly stipend to the veteran's approved family caregiver, with training, respite care, and counseling alongside it.

• The veteran enrolls in VA health care, if not enrolled already
• Confirm the veteran has a serious service-connected injury or illness
• The veteran and caregiver apply togetherVA Form 10-10CG
• The VA assesses the veteran and approves the caregiver
• A monthly stipend begins for the approved family caregiver

Nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy delivered at home, ordered by a doctor. This is medical care, not everyday help, and it is usually short term while someone recovers.

• Ask the treating doctor whether skilled care at home is medically needed
• The order goes to the VA, or to Medicare if the veteran is not using VA careMany families qualify through both. Martin can tell you which route is faster in Central Florida.
• An agency completes an in-home assessment and builds the plan of care
• Visits begin, usually a few times a week for a set number of weeks
• Plan for what happens when skilled visits endThis is where everyday help at home usually picks up. Line it up early.

Having these on the table makes the first conversation productive.

• Discharge papers (DD214)
• Marriage certificate, for spouses and surviving spouses
• Current list of medications and diagnoses
• Monthly income and asset summary
• Any existing VA correspondence or claim numbers

The figures and rules on this page are current for 2026 and change from year to year. Nothing here is a promise of approval, and it is not legal or financial advice. Martin will tell you honestly whether it is worth applying.

• Net-worth and income limits are reset by the VA each year
• Surviving spouses have their own eligibility rules and their own forms
• PCAFC eligibility depends on a service-connected condition and a VA assessment
• Confirm your own situation with the VA, or with Martin, before making decisions