As a veteran, you’ve already demonstrated remarkable service and sacrifice. As you age or face health challenges, the VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide (H/HHA) program steps in to ensure you can continue living safely and independently at home—without needing to relocate to a care facility. This program connects veterans with trained aides who provide essential assistance with everyday tasks and personal care, all under VA oversight and without the stress of managing billing or providers.
Here’s how it works...
WHAT IS THE H/HHA PROGRAM?
The Homemaker Home Health Aide (H/HHA) care program delivers non-medical personal care services under the Veterans Community Care program.
A Home Health Aide is a trained caregiver who can come to a Veterans home and assist the Veteran in taking care of themselves and their daily activities. While these aides are not nurses, they are supervised by registered nurses who assess and oversee the veteran’s care needs.
Home care services can be combined with other VA Home and Community Based Services. This program is particularly beneficial for veterans who:
- Require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).
- Are isolated or have caregivers experiencing burnout.
- Prefer to remain at home rather than move to a nursing facility.
The overarching aim is to help veterans remain comfortably at home longer, avoid—or delay—nursing home stays, and provide relief (respite) for family caregivers.
Services are provided through VA-contracted community agencies, arranged and paid for by the VA, so you never receive a bill from the aide agency.
WHAT SERVICES DOES IT PROVIDE?
Services are based on your assessed needs. Talk with a VA social worker to find out what specific help you may be able to receive. For example, an aide may be able to come to your house several times a week or just once in a while, and you can continue to receive an aide's services for as long as you need help with your daily activities.
Examples of daily activities the H/HHA program provides include:
- Mobility support
- Transferring (e.g., help getting out of bed)
- Medication reminders
- Bathing, dressing, grooming
- Personal hygiene & toileting
- Eating assistance & meal preparation
- Grocery Shopping
- Companionship to reduce loneliness or isolation
- Specialty care (e.g., Alzheimer’s/dementia assistance)
Add-on for Respite Care Visits:
In addition to the H/HHA hours, eligible veterans may receive up to 30 6-hour respite visits per calendar year to provide breaks for family caregivers who are caring for a veteran at home. Respite care is coordinated through the VA’s care planning team, and the same VA-approved home care agency would provide these respite visits.
Caregiving is deeply rewarding, but it’s also emotionally and physically demanding. The VA understands that caregivers need time to rest, handle personal matters, or recover from illness themselves. That’s where Respite Care comes in.
To qualify for these additional respite visits, a veteran must:
- Be enrolled in VA health care and receiving VA home and community-based services like the H/HHA program
- Have someone who resides at the same residence who provides caregiving support
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE H/HHA PROGRAM?
The H/HHA program is part of the VA’s Standard Medical Benefits Package, meaning any enrolled veteran may be eligible as long as they meet clinical and service availability in their area. Eligibility is determined through an assessment by a VA social worker or care coordinator.
Eligibility hinges on three core requirements:
- Enrolled in VA Health Care
- Eligible for VA Community Care -- Under the MISSION Act, any veteran who needs home care but cannot get it from the VA qualifies for these services
- Meet Clinical Need Criteria – Your VA healthcare provider must document a need for personal care. Typical clinical thresholds include:
- Dependency in two or more ADLs,
- Cognitive impairment,
- Or a mix of both
APPLICATION PROCESS
To access H/HHA services, you can work directly with a VA-approved home care agency like BrightStar Care of Carlsbad, or directly with the VA:
- Contact Your VA Primary Care Team: Tell your VA doctor that you’re interested in Homemaker/Home Health Aide services. They’ll consult to discuss your needs and initiate a referral for H/HHA services.
- Schedule an Assessment: A VA social worker will evaluate your eligibility and care requirements. They will assess your needs, review medical records, and may interview you and your caregiver.
- Coordinate Services: If approved, services will be arranged through a VA-contracted agency. You can request a specific agency like BrightStar as long as they are VA-approved for the H/HHA program.
For more information, visit the VA’s official page on Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care.
CONCLUSION
The VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide program empowers veterans to continue enjoying independent, dignified living at home, surrounded by support, without facing nursing home placement. By combining personal care, household help, companionship, and caregiver relief, all under VA coordination and financial protection, it's a powerful resource capturing the gratitude owed to you for your service.
If you're experiencing challenges with daily living—or a caregiver needs a break—reach out to your VA primary care team. You might be eligible for H/HHA—or other VA home-based care programs that best suit your needs. You’ve earned peace of mind. The VA is here to help bring it home.
FAQs
Q. Can younger veterans access it?
A: YES! Anyone enrolled in VA health care who meets clinical needs qualifies—regardless of age Veterans Affairs.
Q. Is this program only for low-income veterans?
A: NO. The VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide (H/HHA) program is not limited to low-income veterans. While income may factor into whether you owe a copay, eligibility is based primarily on clinical need and enrollment in the VA Health Care System, not financial status. Many veterans from a range of income levels receive services through this program.
Q. Do I have to give up other programs or benefits when I go on the H/HHA program?
A: No. Enrolling in the H/HHA program does not require you to give up any other VA or non-VA benefits. You can continue to use other programs such as Aid & Attendance, VA medical appointments, Medicare/Medicaid, or even private insurance. In fact, the H/HHA program often works alongside other services as part of a comprehensive care plan.
Q. Can I request a specific home care agency to provide my care?
A: In many cases, YES. The VA contracts with a network of approved community providers. If you have a preferred home care agency that is already contracted with the VA, you can request them when services are being arranged. If they’re not yet contracted, the VA may explore contracting with them if appropriate and feasible. Always discuss your preferences with your VA care team or social worker when your care plan is being developed.
Q. Can a spouse or surviving spouse get H/HHA?
A: NO. The H/HHA program is reserved for eligible veterans. However, spouses or widows may qualify for other benefits such as Aid & Attendance.
Q. How is this different from Aid & Attendance?
A: Aid & Attendance is a pension supplement based on financial need and can help pay for care, but it doesn’t arrange in-home aides through VA. It’s a monthly cash benefit separate from H/HHA services.
Q. What is the VA Respite Care Program, and can I use it along with H/HHA services?
A: Yes, the VA Respite Care Program provides temporary relief for family caregivers by offering short-term support through in-home aides, short facility stays, or day programs. You can absolutely use respite care in addition to H/HHA services, as part of a coordinated VA care plan. Veterans may receive up to 30 days of respite care per year, depending on their needs and their caregiver’s circumstances.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dan Sweiger is an accomplished executive, public speaker, community educator and industry leader who co-owns and operates BrightStar Care of Carlsbad, California’s top rated home care agency, along with his wife, Susie. Mr. Sweiger is a healthcare industry leader who serves on the Board of Trustees for the Tri-City Hospital Foundation and the Board of Directors of the San Diego Dementia Consortium.
He also supports the North County San Diego healthcare community through a wide range of industry groups, including... Alzheimer's Association of San Diego, Parkinson’s Association of San Diego, North County Parkinson’s Support Groups, SD County Council on Aging, SD Coalition for Compassionate Care, Veteran's Association of North County, and more. He also leads community education workshops at the Carlsbad Senior Center.
Mr. Sweiger has an MBA from Purdue University and 20+ years of leadership experience as an executive in Fortune 500 companies.
ABOUT BRIGHTSTAR CARE OF CARLSBAD, CA:
BrightStar Care of Carlsbad is the #1 rated home care agency in California, by Home Care Pulse. They serve North County San Diego, CA, including Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista and Fallbrook. Their award-winning caregivers provide a wide range of medical and non-medical in-home support services, including companion care, personal care and skilled nursing. They also specialize in care for people with Parkinson’s and dementia. Because BrightStar caregivers are trained and supported by a RN Nursing Director who watches over their clients and staff – something extremely rare for home care companies -- they can provide early detection and intervention when medical issues arise. In fact, BrightStar clients are 25% less likely to be hospitalized compared to clients of other home care companies.
For further information about our award-winning home healthcare services, call us at 760-444-4542.