VA In-Home & Veteran-Directed Care
Home and community-based long-term care for enrolled veterans — including Veteran-Directed Care, where you get a budget to hire your own caregivers to stay in your home. No service-connected rating required.
Who qualifies: Veterans, Veterans with a service-connected disability.
**What It Is**
The VA offers a range of home and community-based services so veterans can get long-term care while staying in their own homes instead of a nursing facility. A standout option is **Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)**: the VA gives you a flexible monthly budget, and — with a counselor's help — you hire and manage your own caregivers to meet your daily needs.
**Services Available**
• **Veteran-Directed Care** — you control a budget and hire your own aides
• **Homemaker & Home Health Aide** care
• **Adult Day Health Care** and **Home-Based Primary Care**
• **Respite Care** (to give a family caregiver a break)
• **Skilled Home Health**, **Hospice**, and **Palliative Care**
**Who Qualifies**
Enrolled veterans who are eligible for community care and meet the clinical need. Importantly, Veteran-Directed Care does **not** require a service-connected disability rating — it's based on your care needs. Services and availability vary by VA location.
**Recent Update**
The VA has increased the spending cap for in-home and community-based services, lowering out-of-pocket costs for veterans with complex needs and making it easier to stay at home.
**How to Start**
Ask your VA social worker whether Veteran-Directed Care and other home-based services are available in your area. Pairs well with the VA Caregiver Support Program.