Short answer: Veterans in Philadelphia can access home care through VA programs like Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care, Veteran-Directed Care, or the VA pension with Aid and Attendance. A VA social worker can help you start.

Three VA Routes to Help at Home

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers programs to help veterans stay safely in their own homes. A VA social worker can explain which options are available in the Philadelphia area.

Program	What it is	Who qualifies	How to start
Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care	Trained aides assist with daily activities and personal care. These are not nurses, but a registered nurse supervises them. Organizations under contract with the VA provide the service.	Enrolled veterans who meet clinical criteria and are eligible for community care. A copay may apply depending on your service-connected disability status.	Ask your VA social worker.
Veteran-Directed Care	Veterans of all ages receive a service budget managed by the veteran or their representative. You use this budget to hire your own workers, which might include a family member or a neighbor.	Enrolled veterans who meet clinical criteria and are eligible for community care.	Ask your VA social worker if this program is offered locally.
VA Pension with Aid and Attendance or Housebound	A financial benefit that increases your monthly VA pension. The extra funds help cover the costs of assistance or living expenses when you are confined to your home.	Veterans meeting specific service requirements, clinical criteria, and income limits.	Apply through the VA.

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Pensions

The VA pension provides monthly payments to qualifying veterans. The Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) acts as a ceiling for this benefit. Your actual pension amount equals the MAPR minus your countable income.

If you need help with daily activities or are confined to your home, you may qualify for the higher Aid and Attendance or Housebound MAPR. You can use these funds to pay for private home care services. The VA sets a net worth limit for the pension. From December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2026, the net worth limit is $163,699.

Here are the Maximum Annual Pension Rates effective December 1, 2025:

Veteran Status	Housebound MAPR	Aid and Attendance MAPR
Veteran with no dependents	$21,313	$29,093
Veteran with one dependent	$26,710	$34,488

Source: VA Veterans Pension Rates.

If you need help with daily activities, call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000. You can also fill out our contact form and choose “I am a client” then “I need services.”

Where to Start in Philadelphia

Veterans living in Philadelphia should begin by contacting a VA social worker to discuss home care options. The primary local facility is the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, located at 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

This medical center is open 24/7. A social worker there will review your clinical needs, explain your eligibility for community care, and tell you which programs are currently active in your area.

Common Conditions Requiring Home Care

Many veterans seek home care after a medical event or due to chronic conditions. According to the CDC, three in four American adults have at least one chronic condition.

• Falls and Mobility: More than one out of four older people falls each year. Nearly 319,000 older people are hospitalized for hip fractures annually. An aide can assist with transferring and ambulation to reduce fall risks.
• Stroke Recovery: Stroke survivors often need help at home. Signs of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side, and sudden trouble walking or loss of balance.
• Parkinson’s Disease: Veterans with Parkinson’s may experience primary movement symptoms like slowness, tremor, and rigidity. Postural instability and balance problems usually appear later, raising the risk of falls. Difficulty getting out of a deep chair or turning over in bed often requires physical assistance.

VA and Medicaid Together

Veterans who need long-term services and supports may also apply for Pennsylvania Medicaid. The Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver pays for Personal Assistance Services; see also our companion care page. These services include help with eating, bathing, dressing, cueing, and supervising people who cannot safely be left alone.

To qualify for the CHC waiver, you must be age 21 or older, meet the Nursing Facility Clinically Eligible (NFCE) standard, and meet the financial eligibility rules. A person-centered service plan will dictate which services you receive and how often.

The application process involves the Independent Enrollment Broker and a functional assessment by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. The assessment looks at hands-on help with daily activities and cognition; for example, needing hands-on help with three or more daily activities qualifies.

Ask your VA social worker or the County Assistance Office how a VA pension affects your Medicaid financial eligibility. Read more about PA Medicaid for home care.

Safety and Caregiver Requirements in Pennsylvania

When you hire an agency, state regulations protect your safety. Pennsylvania law requires specific background checks before a direct care worker can be assigned to your home. Agencies must conduct an interview and obtain at least two satisfactory references from individuals not related to the applicant.

Workers must pass a criminal history report obtained within one year before hiring. Caregivers must also pass a competency exam or complete a recognized training program. Training covers basic infection control, universal precautions, handling emergencies, and recognizing changes in the consumer.

Working with New Century Home Care

New Century Home Care is a licensed non-medical home care agency. We provide personal care, homemaker services, mobility assistance, and respite care. We also offer specialized support for individuals recovering from strokes or managing Parkinson’s disease.

We serve Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties. Our office staff speaks English, Russian, and Ukrainian. We accept private pay and work with Keystone First CHC (AmeriHealth Caritas).

If you plan to use a VA program to pay for an agency, ask us whether we can serve you under your specific VA benefit. Whether we can serve you under a VA program depends on the program; call us and we’ll tell you.

If you are a caregiver looking for work, we offer weekly pay, paid sick days, and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Reach out to discuss your home care needs. Call 215-974-0000 or submit our contact form by selecting “I am a client” and “I need services.”

Frequently asked questions

Can you get paid as a caregiver for a family member veteran in PA?

Yes. The VA Veteran-Directed Care program gives the veteran a budget to hire their own workers, which can include a family member. Alternatively, through the Medicaid CHC waiver, you can get paid to care for a family member, except the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee or POA.

What VA benefits pay for home care?

The VA offers Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care, where the VA pays an organization to provide an aide. The Veteran-Directed Care program provides a budget for the veteran to hire workers. The VA pension with Aid and Attendance increases a veteran’s monthly payment, which can be used to pay for private care.

Does Aid and Attendance pay for home care?

Yes. Aid and Attendance is an increase to your monthly VA pension amount. The VA pays this money directly to the qualifying veteran. You can use these funds to pay for private home care services, medical supplies, or other living expenses.