Serving Oakland · Macomb · Wayne counties
Family guide
Home care for a veteran's spouse: what VA covers and where else to look
VA home care is authorized for the veteran, not the spouse. Here is where a husband, wife or surviving spouse can find help at home in metro Detroit.
The short answer
VA home care, including Homemaker / Home Health Aide care and respite, is a VA health benefit for the enrolled veteran. VA authorizes those hours for the veteran's care. It does not pay for a spouse's own care needs, unless the spouse is a veteran too.
That surprises a lot of families, especially when both partners are getting older at the same time. The good news: there are other ways to get a spouse help at home, and some of them are VA benefits.
Where a spouse can look for help
| Option | Who it can help | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| The spouse's own VA care | A spouse who is also a veteran | If the spouse served, they may qualify for VA home care in their own right. Their VA care team decides. |
| Survivors Pension with Aid and Attendance | A surviving spouse of a wartime veteran | Monthly payments for a surviving spouse who meets income, net worth and care-need rules. Some families use it toward home care. |
| CHAMPVA | The spouse of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, and some surviving spouses | Health coverage that shares the cost of medical care. It is not built to pay for day-to-day help at home. Check the CHAMPVA Guidebook before counting on it. |
| MI Choice Waiver | Adults 65 or older, or with a disability, who need a nursing-home level of care and qualify for Medicaid | Michigan's Medicaid program for care at home. Apply through your local waiver agency. |
| Area Agency on Aging programs | Older adults and their caregivers | Local programs for in-home help, respite and caregiver support. Some have waitlists. |
| Private-pay home care | Anyone | You choose the hours and schedule. VETTED offers private-pay care for spouses and families. |
Sources: VA Aid and Attendance, VA CHAMPVA, Michigan MI Choice Waiver.
When the veteran gets care and the spouse needs help too
This is common: a veteran is authorized for a few hours of help each week, and the spouse at home needs help as well.
- VA hours are for the veteran. During VA-authorized visits, the caregiver's job is the veteran's care. Light housekeeping and meals naturally benefit the whole household, but the caregiver can't take on a separate care plan for the spouse on VA's time.
- Private-pay hours can cover the spouse. Families often add a private-pay visit, or extend a VA visit on private pay, so one familiar caregiver can help both partners. We keep the two clearly separate on the schedule and in our records.
- Tell the VA social worker what's happening at home. If the spouse is the veteran's main caregiver and can no longer manage, that affects the veteran's care plan. VA may authorize more help or respite.
Surviving spouses: check Aid and Attendance
If the spouse's husband or wife served during a wartime period and has died, the surviving spouse may qualify for VA's Survivors Pension. A surviving spouse who needs help with daily activities may qualify for the higher Aid and Attendance amount.
For December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2026, VA lists a net worth limit of $163,699 and a maximum annual Aid and Attendance rate of $18,697 for a surviving spouse with no dependents. VA figures the actual payment from the survivor's countable income, so most people receive less than the maximum. See VA's survivors pension rates.
VETTED never prepares, files or charges for benefit claims. Accredited Veterans Service Officers help for free. Start with your county veterans services office, or search VA's list of accredited representatives.
Your local Area Agency on Aging
| Where the person lives | Agency | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland or Macomb county | AgeWays (formerly Area Agency on Aging 1-B) | 800-852-7795 |
| Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Harper Woods or Highland Park | Detroit Area Agency on Aging | 313-446-4444 |
| The rest of Wayne county | The Senior Alliance | 734-722-2830 |
Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services list of Area Agencies on Aging. These agencies can explain MI Choice, caregiver support and other local programs.
Common questions
Does VA pay for home care for a veteran's wife or husband?
Not through the veteran's VA home care. Homemaker / Home Health Aide care and respite are authorized for the enrolled veteran's own care. A spouse who is also a veteran may qualify on their own. Other spouses can look at Aid and Attendance (for surviving spouses), MI Choice, Area Agency on Aging programs or private-pay care.
Can the same caregiver help my mom and my dad?
Yes, with the right setup. VA-authorized hours are for the veteran's care. Private-pay hours can cover the spouse, and we can schedule the same caregiver for both so the household has one familiar face.
Does CHAMPVA cover home care for a spouse?
CHAMPVA shares the cost of medical care, including some skilled care at home. It is not designed to pay for everyday help like bathing, meals and housekeeping. Check the CHAMPVA Guidebook or call CHAMPVA before counting on it.
Who can help us apply for Aid and Attendance?
Accredited Veterans Service Officers help for free. Start with your county veterans services office. Be wary of anyone who charges to help file a claim.
Independent and veteran-owned. VETTED is not part of, and does not speak for, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA alone decides eligibility and authorized hours. Information on this site is general and is not a benefit determination. Page last updated September 24, 2026.