Wisconsin's VA pays caregivers for veterans.
Veterans, and the surviving spouses of veterans, have a few options to pay family caregivers.
Veteran Directed Home & Community Based Care in WI
The Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program allows veterans to choose how to direct their monthly care budget. This means that when hiring a caregiver, a veteran can choose to hire his/her family member.
The caregiving family member will be paid the hourly rate determined by the VA, typically $8-$21 per hour.
VDC is available to veterans of all ages enrolled in VA medical benefits and require skilled services and assistance with activities of daily living.
Veteran Aid & Attendance Pension Benefit in WI
If your veteran loved one requires professional long-term in-home, assisted living, or nursing home care, you may be eligible for Aid and Attendance (A&A).
The A&A Pension can provide up to $3,261 per month to pay for care, including to caregiving family members.
A&A is an add-on benefit that requires eligibility for the basic VA pension or survivor pension, as well as meeting a disability requirement.
Housebound Pension Benefit in WI
The Housebound Pension benefit provides funds to veterans who are mostly unable to leave their homes. Similar to the A&A benefit, the Housebound Pension can be used to pay family caregivers.
The Housebound Pension can be worth up to $1,882 per month, and spouses are unable to be paid as the family caregiver under the Housebound benefit, as spouse income is included in the calculation of the benefit.
To qualify for Housebound, a veteran must be limited to his/her house and be eligible for the basic VA pension. Veterans cannot get A&A and Housebound benefits at the same time.
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) in WI
The PCAFC is the VA's broadest program targeting family caregivers. The program provides family caregivers with a stipend of up to $2,750 per month, in addition to training, counseling, and respite care.
To qualify, the veteran must have been critically hurt or had a serious illness in the line of duty, and require help with at least one activity of daily living.
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