Navigating the Road to Resources and Benefits for Veterans
Author: Debbie Humphrey
On Friday, June 6th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port Charlotte, where he signed three new laws that expand mental health services, nursing care access, and consumer protections for veterans, Gulf Coast News Now reported.
I’m always grateful when new programs and benefits become available for veterans, because they rightly deserve resources that can make their lives easier. However, gaining access to programs and benefits can be overwhelming when veterans are met with bureaucratic red tape.
Two existing programs that serve veterans were developed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VACCN) and VA Aid and Attendance.
I am proud that Home Helpers is an approved provider of non-medical in-home care services in Pasco and Pinellas Counties as a member of the VACCN, and my administrative team and I are available to assist veterans when they’re navigating the road to resources and benefits.
Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
The VACCN program provides eligible veterans with access to healthcare services outside of traditional VA medical facilities. VACCN allows veterans to receive care from authorized community providers when VA facilities cannot provide necessary, timely healthcare services or when it’s more convenient for the veteran.
Eligibility. Veterans may be eligible for VACCN community carebased on several factors: distance from VA facilities, waiting times for medical appointments, medical needs, and availability of VA services.
Referral Process. To receive a referral to see a community provider, an assessment of the veteran’s healthcare needs by their VA provider is performed to determine if community care is necessary.
Authorization. Once a referral is made, the VA authorizes the veteran to receive care from a community provider. The VA authorization ensures that the veteran’s healthcare expenses are covered by the VA.
Healthcare Services. Community care services span a wide range of healthcare needs, including diagnostic testing, home health care, hospice care, mental health services, preventative care, primary care, skilled nursing care, and specialty care.
Community Providers. The VA partners with a network of community providers to deliver services to eligible veterans. To be a VA-approved provider, they must meet certain standards and qualifications established by the VA to ensure the quality of care. Veterans are free to choose a home care provider, as long as the in-home care agency is credentialed.
Billing and Payment. The VA is responsible for paying community providers for services rendered to eligible veterans. Billing and payment processes are managed by the VA, and veterans typically do not have to pay out-of-pocket expenses for authorized community care services.
Coordination of Care. The VA emphasizes coordination of care between VA facilities and community providers to ensure seamless delivery of healthcare services. This may include sharing medical records, communicating treatment plans, and collaborating on patient care.
Patient Experience. The goal of VACCN is to improve the overall patient experience for veterans by providing them with greater choice, flexibility, and access to healthcare services that meet their needs.
Enrollment. Enrolling in the VACCN program involves several steps discussed above. It is important to note that the enrollment process and specific procedures may vary depending on individual circumstances and VA healthcare facilities. Veterans should consult with their healthcare provider or the VACCN staff for personalized guidance and assistance with enrollment.
VA Aid and Attendance Benefits
VA Aid and Attendance benefits help cover the cost of home health, assisted living, and skilled nursing care for eligible veterans and their spouses.
To qualify for Aid and Attendance, veterans must meet certain service, income, and medical requirements, including demonstrating a need for assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility.
Aid and Attendance is designed to supplement other VA pensions or benefits that veterans may receive.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a veteran who served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during wartime.
- Must have a medical condition that requires the aid of another person for activities of daily living or be homebound due to disability.
- Income and asset limitations apply.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- ADLs include tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring (moving from bed to chair, etc.)
Housebound Criteria
- To qualify as housebound, the individual must have a disability that prevents them from leaving their home without assistance.
Financial Criteria
- Income and asset limitations are determined by the VA.
- The benefit amount varies based on the applicant’s income and assets.
Application Process
- Applicants must complete and submit VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) along with supporting documentation.
- The application process can be complex, so it’s often beneficial to seek assistance from a Veterans Service Officer or another accredited representative.
Medical Evaluation
- The VA may require a medical examination to determine the extent of the applicant’s disabilities and need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
Benefit Amount
- The Aid and Attendance benefit is paid in addition to the VA pension.
- The amount varies depending on the applicant’s marital status, level of need, and other factors.
Use of Funds
- The funds can be used to pay for home care services, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or other medical expenses.
Renewal Process
- Recipients must undergo periodic reassessments to continue receiving the benefit.
Appeals Process
- If an application is denied or if the benefit amount is less than expected, applicants have the right to appeal the decision.
Tax Implications
- Aid and Attendance benefits are considered tax-free income.
The VACCN program focuses on providing access to healthcare services, including home care. VA Aid and Attendance provides financial assistance for eligible veterans and surviving spouses who need help with activities of daily living in their homes or long-term care facilities in West Pasco and Pinellas counties. Some veterans may be eligible for both programs and can use them both to meet their healthcare and financial needs.
Your local Veterans Service Officers are located in both Pasco and Pinellas counties:
Pinellas County - Clearwater
2189 Cleveland St., Suite 263
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-464-8460
727-464-4388 (TDD)
Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
(Call for an appointment)
Pinellas County – St. Petersburg
501 First Avenue North, Suite 514
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-582-7828
Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
(Call for an appointment)
Pasco County – Port Richey
8620 Galen Wilson Blvd.
Port Richey, FL 34668
727-834-3282
Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
As I previously mentioned, Home Helpers is a VA-approved home care agency that successfully provides in-home care services in Pasco and Pinellas Counties and helps guide veterans and their families to available resources and through the Aid & Attendance benefits process.
The goal of my care team is to be family when family can’t be there, so the home care services we provide will always be personalized to meet a veteran’s needs and designed to help veterans and spouses maintain their independence, avoid isolation, and stay safe and comfortable wherever they call home.
If you have any questions about the VACCN program, I am happy to share information and resources during a FREE Consultation at your convenience. At that time, I can assess specific needs, create a custom care plan, and find the perfect professional caregiver to deliver VA-approved caregiving services to make life easier for you or a Veteran you love.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Activated Insights Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers in 2025 and to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Awards in 2025, along with the Caring Super Star 2025 Award.
Home Helpers Clearwater proudly serves male and female seniors, veterans, and differently abled individuals in Bayonet Point, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Gulfport, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, Madeira Beach, New Port Richey, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Pass A Grille, Pass A Grille Beach, Port Richey, Redington Shores, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, South Pasadena, Tarpon Springs, Tierra Verde, Treasure Island, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539