Veteran Directed Care (VDC)

What it is

Veteran Directed Care gives Veterans of all ages the Home and Community Based Services they need in a consumer-directed way. You receive a flexible budget, hire and supervise your own workers, and decide what mix of goods and services best meets your needs.

Do I need a VA disability rating?

VA's own eligibility wording does not mention a disability rating. It says all enrolled Veterans are eligible if they meet the clinical need for the service, are eligible for community care, and it is available where they live. A service-connected rating can matter for one thing: VA says a copay may be charged based on your service-connected disability status.

Who can be your caregiver

You can hire your own personal care aides, and VA says that can include your own family member, friends or neighbors. The worker is hired and supervised by you. A person you name as your representative cannot also be a paid worker.

What the pay looks like

Your monthly budget is set from your care assessment, not a flat amount. Workers cannot be paid more per hour than the state program allows for agency services. The federal Administration for Community Living guide says the average VDC worker rate runs about $15 to $20 an hour, not counting employer taxes, and can be exceeded if necessary. Your own budget and pay rates are set by your local VA medical center and program.

What the budget can pay for

Everything must be in your spending plan and approved by VA before you spend it. VA and ACL program materials list these, with some shown as examples in a sample spending plan:

• Personal care workers (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, mobility)
• Homemaking, meal preparation and shopping for food
• Home-delivered meals
• Personal care supplies such as adult briefs
• Home modifications or medical equipment, such as grab bars and walkers (one-time purchases)
• Assistive technology
• Transportation to medical or socialization activities, with mileage for a caregiver using their own vehicle
• In-home respite care and adult day care
• Yard clean-up and limited yard maintenance
• An emergency back-up and planned purchases line in the plan (per the ACL billing guide)

It is not cash you can spend on anything. Items are tied to your care needs and your approved plan. What is approved can differ by Veteran and by local program.

Where it is available

VA says this program is only available in certain locations and services may vary by location. ACL has a directory of VA medical centers and local agencies that take part (linked below). Ask your local VA medical center whether a program serves your area.

How to ask about it

1. Talk to your VA primary care team or your VA social worker and ask for a Veteran Directed Care referral.
2. The social worker explains the program and places a consult. A geriatrics staff member then does an assessment of your daily living needs.
3. One VA medical center (San Juan) describes the assessment as a 19-question review of your daily living needs. Ask your own VA how it does it.
4. If you are accepted, you work with the program to build your spending plan, then manage the budget with their support.

Where to call and where to go

Phone

• VA health benefits hotline: 877-222-VETS (8387). The VA page does not list hours.
• MyVA411 main VA information line: 800-698-2411. The VA page does not list hours.
• Veterans Crisis Line, if you or your caregiver are in crisis: 988, then press 1. Text 838255. Hearing loss (TTY): 800-799-4889.

Your best contact is your own VA primary care team or VA social worker. Use the finder to get the number for your VA medical center.

Official pages

• VA: Veteran-Directed Care
• Find your VA medical center or clinic
• ACL: Find a VDC program near you
• VA health care
• Questions to the federal program office: veterandirected@acl.hhs.gov (email listed on the ACL page)

Free help

• Get help from a VA accredited representative. VA says an accredited VSO representative's help with VA benefit claims is always free.