Colorado is home to more than 390,000 veterans, yet a significant number of them — and their surviving spouses — are unaware that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits specifically designed to help with non-medical home care. These are not obscure programs buried in bureaucratic fine print. They are established benefits that thousands of veterans across the state already use to remain safely in their homes.
If you or a loved one served in the military and now need help with daily activities, this guide explains the VA home care programs available in Colorado, what they cover, current benefit rates, and how to get started.
Quick Answer: The VA offers several home care benefits for eligible veterans, including the Aid and Attendance pension (up to $2,874/month for veterans with a spouse), Homemaker/Home Health Aide services through VA Community Care, and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Colorado veterans can access these through VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, the Grand Junction VA, or community care providers like Colorado CareAssist.
VA Home Care Programs: An Overview
The VA provides home care support through several distinct programs. Understanding which one applies to your situation is the first step.
Aid and Attendance (A&A) Pension
The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly pension supplement for veterans (and surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities. It is one of the most valuable and underused VA benefits in Colorado.
Who qualifies:
- Veterans who served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period
- Current need for assistance with at least two activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring)
- Limited income and net worth (the VA applies an asset threshold, currently $155,356)
- Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may also be eligible
What it pays: The VA adjusts these rates annually. As of 2026, the maximum monthly rates are:
- Veteran without dependents: $2,424/month
- Veteran with one dependent (typically a spouse): $2,874/month
- Surviving spouse: $1,555/month
These payments go directly to the veteran or spouse — not to a care provider — which means families have flexibility in how they use the funds. Many Colorado families apply their A&A benefit toward professional home care services.
Important: Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit, not a health care benefit. You do not need to receive your care through the VA health system to qualify. This distinction matters because it means you can choose any home care provider, including agencies like Colorado CareAssist that specialize in veteran care.
Homemaker/Home Health Aide (H/HHA) Services
The H/HHA program provides in-home assistance directly through the VA health care system. Unlike Aid and Attendance, this is a health care benefit — meaning the VA arranges and pays for the care directly.
What it covers:
- Personal care assistance (bathing, grooming, dressing)
- Meal preparation and feeding assistance
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Companionship and safety supervision
- Medication reminders
How it works in Colorado: The VA contracts with community home care agencies through its Community Care Network. If the VA determines you need home care services, they may authorize a community provider in your area to deliver them — often at no cost to the veteran.
Colorado veterans typically access H/HHA services through:
- VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (Aurora) — serves the Denver Metro, Boulder, and Front Range
- Grand Junction VA Medical Center — serves the Western Slope
- Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Fort Collins, Loveland, Burlington, and other locations
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
If a family member is already providing care to a veteran, the PCAFC can provide a monthly stipend, health insurance for the caregiver, respite care, and training.
Eligibility:
- The veteran must have a serious injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
- Originally limited to post-9/11 veterans, the program expanded in October 2020 to include veterans from all eras
- The caregiver must be providing personal care services
Benefits include:
- Monthly stipend based on the level of care required
- Access to CHAMPVA health insurance for the caregiver
- At least 30 days per year of respite care
- Mental health counseling and caregiver training
This program is particularly valuable for spouses and adult children in Colorado who have taken on full-time caregiving roles and need both financial support and periodic relief.
Colorado-Specific VA Resources
Colorado has a strong network of VA facilities and veteran service organizations that can help with the application process.
VA Medical Facilities
- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (Aurora) — The primary VA medical center for eastern Colorado. Completed in 2018, this facility serves as the hub for most Front Range veterans.
- Grand Junction VA Medical Center — Serves veterans on the Western Slope and in rural western Colorado.
- CBOCs across the state — Community-based clinics in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Fort Collins, Loveland, Golden, and other locations provide primary care and can initiate home care referrals.
Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs
The Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs operates veteran service offices in every county. Their Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) provide free assistance with:
- Filing VA benefit claims
- Gathering required documentation
- Navigating the appeals process
- Connecting veterans with state and local resources
This is one of the most important steps you can take. A VSO can significantly improve your chances of a successful claim and reduce the time to approval.
Colorado State Veterans Programs
Beyond federal VA benefits, Colorado offers additional support:
- Property tax exemption for qualifying disabled veterans
- Colorado Veterans Community Living Centers — state-run nursing facilities in Rifle, Aurora, Homelake, Florence, and Walsenburg
- Veterans Trust Fund grants for emergency financial assistance
- Free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans
How to Apply for VA Home Care Benefits
Aid and Attendance
- Gather your documentation. You will need DD-214 (discharge papers), medical records documenting your care needs, financial information (income, assets, medical expenses), and a physician's statement confirming your need for assistance with daily living.
- Contact a Veterans Service Officer. Colorado county VSOs will help you complete VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) and VA Form 21-534EZ (for surviving spouses).
- Submit your claim. Claims can be filed online at va.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. Processing times vary but typically range from 3 to 6 months.
- Begin care while you wait. You do not have to wait for approval to start home care. If approved, the benefit is retroactive to the date of your application.
H/HHA Services
- Enroll in VA health care. If you are not already enrolled, apply at va.gov or visit your nearest VA facility.
- Request a clinical assessment. Your VA primary care provider will evaluate your needs and determine whether home care services are appropriate.
- Receive a referral. If approved, the VA will either provide services through its own staff or authorize a community care provider in your area.
How Colorado CareAssist Works with VA Benefits
At Colorado CareAssist, we work with veteran families across the Front Range to coordinate care with VA benefits. Here is what that looks like in practice:
- We accept VA Community Care referrals. If the VA authorizes you for H/HHA services through a community provider, we can deliver that care — often at no cost to you.
- We help families use A&A funds effectively. Our care plans are designed to maximize the value of your monthly benefit. At current rates, a veteran receiving $2,424/month can cover approximately 15-20 hours per week of professional home care.
- We understand military culture. Many of our caregivers have personal connections to the military community. We match veterans with caregivers who understand their experience.
- We coordinate with VA case managers. If you are receiving other VA services, we communicate with your care team to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
For a full overview of how we serve Colorado veterans, visit our Veterans Home Care page.
Common Questions About VA Home Care
Can I receive both Aid and Attendance and H/HHA services? In some cases, yes. Aid and Attendance is a pension benefit, while H/HHA is a health care benefit. They come from different parts of the VA system. However, the VA may consider your total benefits when determining eligibility, so it is important to discuss your full situation with a VSO.
My parent is a veteran but never applied for VA health care. Is it too late? No. Veterans can enroll in VA health care at any age. Many World War II, Korea, and Vietnam-era veterans never enrolled because they did not need it when they were younger. Enrolling now opens the door to home care and other benefits.
Does my parent need to have a service-connected disability? Not for Aid and Attendance or basic H/HHA services. These programs are available to veterans with non-service-connected conditions, as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements (wartime service, care needs, financial limits).
How long does the Aid and Attendance application take? Processing times currently average 3 to 6 months, though complex cases can take longer. Working with a VSO and submitting complete documentation from the start significantly reduces delays.
Are there income limits for VA home care benefits? For Aid and Attendance, yes — the VA applies a net worth limit (currently $155,356) and considers annual income minus unreimbursed medical expenses. Many veterans who think they earn too much actually qualify once medical expenses are deducted. For H/HHA services through VA health care, copay requirements vary based on priority group.
We are ready to explore options. What is the first step? Call us or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation. We will help you understand which VA benefits apply to your situation and build a care plan that works within your budget — whether that budget comes from VA benefits, private pay, or a combination of both.
