Quick Answer
Three VA programs help cover home care for veterans: Aid & Attendance Pension (monthly cash benefit), the VA Homemaker / Home Health Aide Program (services arranged by the VA), and Veteran-Directed Care (the veteran chooses their own caregiver). Apply through VA.gov or the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System.
If your father, grandfather, or husband served, the VA owes him real, paid-for help at home — and most families never claim it because the application process is opaque. This walkthrough is the version we use with veteran families across Baton Rouge.
The three programs to know
1. Aid & Attendance Pension
A monthly cash benefit (up to ~$2,300/month for a single veteran in 2025) added to a VA pension. The veteran or surviving spouse uses it to pay for care however they choose — including a private home care agency. Eligibility requires wartime service, age 65+ or disability, and a qualifying clinical need (help with activities of daily living, blindness, or being housebound).
2. VA Homemaker / Home Health Aide (H/HHA) Program
The VA contracts directly with a home care agency and arranges services for the veteran. No cash changes hands; the VA pays the agency. Available to veterans enrolled in VA health care who qualify clinically.
3. Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
The veteran receives a flexible monthly budget and chooses their own caregivers — including, in some cases, a family member. Administered locally through the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. Excellent fit for families who want to be paid for the care they're already giving.
How to apply for Aid & Attendance
- Confirm wartime service — at least 90 days active duty with one day during a wartime period.
- Gather DD-214, marriage certificate, doctor's statement (VA Form 21-2680), and proof of medical expenses.
- File VA Form 21P-527EZ (veteran) or 21P-534EZ (surviving spouse) at VA.gov or by mail.
- Expect 4–8 months for a decision. Approved benefits backdate to the application date.
How to access the VA Homemaker Program in Baton Rouge
- Make sure the veteran is enrolled in VA health care (call 1-877-222-8387 if unsure).
- Ask the veteran's VA primary care provider for a referral to Geriatric Extended Care.
- A VA social worker will conduct an assessment and authorize hours.
- Care is delivered by a contracted agency. Aging Gracefully accepts these referrals across East Baton Rouge Parish.
Veteran-Directed Care, briefly
VDC is requested through the same VA Geriatric Extended Care channel. Once enrolled, the veteran works with a fiscal intermediary to hire and pay caregivers. Family members can often be paid (with some exclusions for spouses depending on the program year).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the VA pay for home care for my veteran father?
Yes, through three programs: Aid & Attendance Pension (a monthly cash benefit), the VA Homemaker / Home Health Aide Program (services arranged by the VA), or Veteran-Directed Care (a flexible budget the veteran controls). Eligibility depends on wartime service, enrollment in VA health care, and clinical need.
How much is the VA Aid & Attendance benefit in 2025?
Up to approximately $2,300 per month for a single veteran, $2,727 for a married veteran, and $1,478 for a surviving spouse. The benefit is paid in addition to any base VA pension and can be used to pay a private home care agency.
Can a family member be paid to care for a veteran?
Often yes, through the Veteran-Directed Care program. The veteran receives a monthly budget and can hire family members as caregivers (with some exclusions for spouses depending on program year). Contact Geriatric Extended Care at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System.
How long does the VA Aid & Attendance application take?
Typically 4–8 months for a decision. Approved benefits backdate to the application date, so the wait does not cost the family money — but it can delay services.