VA Benefits for Home Care: Aid & Attendance and More
VA pension add-ons that can help wartime Veterans and survivors afford care at home.
Last reviewed: . Confirm current rules with your case manager or FSSA—program details can change.
Why Veterans’ families look here first
Many Indiana families discover that Medicare will not pay for long-term personal care. If the person who needs help is a wartime Veteran—or a surviving spouse—VA pension benefits, including Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound allowances, may increase monthly income that can be used toward in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home costs.
Aid & Attendance is not a separate “VA sends a caregiver” program for every Veteran. It is an enhanced pension payment when eligibility rules are met. Some Veterans may also access other VA health care or caregiver programs through VA medical centers; those are different pathways. This guide focuses on the pension A&A / Housebound benefits families ask about most for home care costs.
VA pension basics (then the add-on)
VA Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension are needs-based benefits for qualifying wartime Veterans and survivors who meet service, income/net worth, and age or disability requirements. Official details live on VA.gov. If you do not already receive a VA pension, you typically apply for pension and for A&A/Housebound together when appropriate.
Unreimbursed medical expenses—including certain care costs—can affect how VA counts income for pension purposes. That is one reason families receiving expensive home care sometimes newly qualify. Have an accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or claims agent help you document expenses correctly.
Aid & Attendance eligibility (official themes)
According to VA.gov, you may be eligible for Aid & Attendance if you receive a VA pension and meet at least one of these conditions:
- You need another person to help you perform daily activities such as bathing, feeding, and dressing
- You must stay in bed—or spend a large portion of the day in bed—because of illness
- You are a patient in a nursing home due to loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability
- Your eyesight is limited to the specific visual acuity or field criteria published by the VA
Housebound allowance
Housebound benefits may apply if you receive a VA pension and spend most of your time in your home because of a permanent disability. VA states you cannot receive Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time. Your claim evidence should support whichever allowance fits better.
How families use the money for home care
Increased pension payments can be used to help pay a licensed home care agency, a private caregiver (subject to tax and household-employer rules—get professional advice), or a residential care setting. The VA does not generally “assign” a specific Indiana agency when A&A is granted; you arrange care and use the benefit income toward the cost.
Keep invoices and care agreements. If you are also pursuing Indiana Medicaid waivers, tell your AAA and Medicaid caseworker about VA income—benefits can interact with Medicaid financial eligibility. Do not hide income sources.
How to apply
VA.gov allows online application for Aid & Attendance or Housebound. You can also apply by mail or in person at a VA regional office. VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) is commonly used; a medical examiner must complete the examination section. If the claimant is in a nursing home, VA Form 21-0779 may also be required.
Include medical evidence that shows why help is needed—doctor reports, medication lists, and a description of a typical day. If you are not already on pension, complete the pension application as well. For free help, contact an accredited VSO (American Legion, VFW, DAV, state Department of Veterans Affairs, and others).
- Review VA.gov pages for pension and Aid & Attendance before filing.
- Gather DD-214 / service records and medical evidence.
- Complete VA Form 21-2680 with a clinician’s exam section.
- Work with an accredited VSO when possible.
- Meanwhile, contact your Indiana AAA if Medicaid waiver care may also be needed.
Other VA supports to ask about
Depending on enrollment and service-connected status, Veterans may also qualify for VA health care, home-based primary care through a VA medical center, homemaker/home health aide programs administered by VA clinical teams, or the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Those programs have separate eligibility rules from pension A&A. Ask your VA care team or a VSO which doors to knock on—do not assume A&A is the only option.
Frequently asked questions
Does Aid & Attendance pay the home care agency directly?
Typically no for pension A&A—the VA increases the monthly pension payment to the Veteran or survivor, who then pays for care. Other VA clinical home care programs may work differently. Confirm with VA or your VSO.
Can a surviving spouse get Aid & Attendance?
Surviving spouses who qualify for Survivors Pension may also qualify for A&A or Housebound add-ons when the need criteria are met. Check VA.gov Survivors Pension and A&A pages.
Can I get VA Aid & Attendance and Indiana Medicaid waiver services together?
Possibly, but VA income counts in Medicaid financial evaluations. Coordinate with your AAA, Medicaid, and a benefits counselor so one benefit does not unintentionally disrupt another.
Where can I get free claims help in Indiana?
Use an accredited VSO or the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs county service officers. Avoid unaccredited “pension poachers” who charge large percentages for filing.
Official sources
We link to primary sources so you can verify details. If anything on this page conflicts with an official notice you receive, follow the official notice and ask your case manager.
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