Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does Veterans Home Care do?

A. We help veterans or their surviving spouses, who qualify for a special Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit called Aid & Attendance, to stay in their own homes and receive assistance with activities of daily living. We assist in the application process, including helping the veteran assemble and file all necessary paperwork. We also provide home care workers, schedule and oversee care. In addition, after the application has been submitted, we cover home care costs until the pension request is approved and VA reimbursements begin. There are no out-of-pocket costs to the applicant.

Q. Who is this VA benefit for?

A. This little-known Department of Veterans Affairs pension is for veterans with an honorable discharge who have served at least 90 days on active duty, with at least one day of service during a period of war, or their surviving spouses. To qualify for this particular benefit which pays for personal care and attendant home services, the disabilities must not be service related. There are also financial limitations associated with the pension.

Q. Why do I need Veterans Home Care? Can’t I file for the VA benefit myself?

A. You certainly can assemble the necessary paperwork, fill out the VA forms and file without our assistance. Be aware that even if you qualify, the Department of Veterans Affairs may not approve your claim and begin reimbursing your expenses for several months. Or, the VA may determine that you qualify for less than the maximum benefit. Veterans Home Care has eight years’ experience assisting veterans with applications to the VA. We know what documentation they require; we will help you to file the paperwork to receive the maximum possible benefit. With your permission, we also will follow up with the VA on your behalf and provide you with your home care worker. And, when you work with Veterans Home Care, we will pay for home care beginning on the first of the month after the application is filed; you will simply reimburse us for those initial months’ expenses from your retroactive VA payment, once your claim is approved. We also continue to help you file evaluation reports and other ongoing paperwork the VA requires, to keep you in compliance so you continue to receive the benefit.

Q. I think my income is too high to receive benefits. How can I “shelter” my assets so I can qualify?

A. You will need to address that issue with your own trusted attorney or financial adviser. Veterans Home Care only works with clients who qualify based on verifiable financial need in compliance with VA guidelines. We do not sell financial products to help veterans hide assets in order to qualify for VA assistance. Be very wary of anyone who offers to sell you financial products, such as annuities, as a way to qualify for VA benefits.

Q. I don’t know if I qualify. How do I find out?

A. Call us or enter your contact information on our “Contact Us” page. One of our application specialists will fill out a preliminary questionnaire to assess your qualifications for the benefit. You will need to provide copies of some vital information including Armed Services discharge papers, marriage license and death certificate (if you are a surviving spouse). Once we have your information, we will contact your physician to verify your need for in-home personal care services. We will assist you with filing paperwork to the Department of Veterans Affairs and will assign a home care worker to you, if you don’t already have one. The best part is that you don’t have to wait for the Department of Veterans Affairs to approve your claim in order to begin receiving services. We will provide you with help at the beginning of the month after paperwork is submitted to the VA.

Q. What happens if my claim is denied?

A. If you have provided us with complete information and we have helped you fill out the applications, and the Department of Veterans Affairs has denied your claim due to your medical condition, you will not be held responsible for home care costs we have paid.