·Federal program
Veterans-Directed Care (VDC) Program
Joint ACL/VHA program providing veterans with a self-directed budget to purchase home and community-based services. Veterans manage their own flexible budgets and can hire family members, friends, or neighbors as paid caregivers. Administered through Aging and Disability Network Agencies in partnership with VA Medical Centers. Codified and expanded by the Dole Act (P.L. 118-210, signed January 2, 2025), which requires VDC to be administered through every VA medical center by January 2, 2027 (2-year mandate). The Dole Act also raised the HCBS spending cap from 65% to 100% of the geographically adjusted nursing-home cost equivalent (Section 120), enabling more home-based care hours.
What it offers
Self-directed flexible budget for veterans to purchase HCBS including: personal care, homemaker services, adult day care, assistive technology, home-delivered meals, caregiver support, respite care, environmental modifications, and other goods and services. Veterans hire their own workers (including family) and manage a VA-approved spending plan. Options counselor provides ongoing support.
Questions that decide eligibility
GiveCare prepares the questions; the program makes the decision. Bring these to the call or the application:
- 01
Does the veteran’s service history and discharge status fit this program’s rules?
- 02
Does the VA disability rating meet the program’s minimum (our record lists null%)?
- 03
Do the work hours meet the minimum (our record lists null hours)?
- 04
Is there a caregiver-specific department, coordinator, or support line? Ask for it by name.
Many agencies have one that isn’t advertised on the website.
- 05
What documents do you need from us to start an application?
- 06
Is there a waitlist right now, and how long is it?