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VA benefits may help pay for a veteran's care
Photo: U.S. Army (Spc. XaViera Masline), public domain.
If you served, or you're the surviving spouse of someone who did, the VA has benefits that can help pay for care -- at home or in assisted living. The rules are detailed and change often, so the right move is to check with the VA or a free local Veterans Service Officer. Here's how to reach them. And thank you for your service.
Last reviewed: August 10, 2026
The short version:
- VA benefits may help. Programs like the Veterans Pension with Aid & Attendance can add monthly money for wartime veterans, and surviving spouses, who need help with daily activities.
- It can go toward care -- in-home help, assisted living, or a nursing home.
- The rules are complex and change every year. Don't rely on a number you read online. Only the VA can confirm what you qualify for.
- Help is free. Your County Veterans Service Officer and accredited veterans groups file claims at no charge -- never pay a company to "get" benefits.
- Start with one call: the VA at 800-827-1000, or your county office below.
Common questions
- Can VA benefits help pay for a veteran's care?
- Possibly. Programs such as the Veterans Pension with Aid & Attendance can help wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily activities pay for care at home or in assisted living. Because the rules are detailed, check your own eligibility with the VA or a County Veterans Service Officer.
- How do I find out if I qualify?
- Contact the VA (800-827-1000 or VA.gov) or your free County Veterans Service Officer. They review your service history and situation and tell you which benefits you may qualify for -- and file the claim for you.
- Is help with the application free?
- Yes. County Veterans Service Officers and accredited veterans groups (VFW, DAV, American Legion) help at no cost. The VA and the FTC warn against paying anyone who offers to "get" you benefits.
- Can a surviving spouse get help?
- Maybe. A surviving spouse of a wartime veteran may qualify for survivor benefits. Ask the VA or a County Veterans Service Officer to check your situation.
- What should I have ready?
- If you have them, your discharge papers (DD-214) and basic information about income and care costs help. If you don't have your records, a Veterans Service Officer can help you request them and walk you through the rest.
What might be available
The benefit families ask about most for care is the Veterans Pension with Aid & Attendance -- extra monthly money for a veteran or surviving spouse who needs another person's help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating, or who is housebound. It can help pay for care at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing home. The VA has other programs too, from health care to disability compensation. Which ones fit depends on service history and each person's situation -- which is exactly why it's worth a call.
Why check with the VA first
Eligibility turns on the details -- when and how long someone served, income and assets, and medical need -- and the figures are updated every year. It's easy to read an out-of-date number online and reach the wrong conclusion, in either direction. So rather than guess, confirm your own eligibility with the VA or a Veterans Service Officer. It costs nothing to ask, and they'll give you the current, correct answer for your situation.
How to check with the VA (federal)
- VA benefits hotline: 800-827-1000 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. ET; TTY 711)
- VA main information line (MyVA411): 800-698-2411, open 24/7 -- one number when you're not sure who to call
- Online: VA.gov Aid & Attendance -- check eligibility and apply online, by mail, or in person
- In person: find your nearest VA regional office
VA medical care close to home
Veterans here get their care through VA Tampa health care -- the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and its outpatient clinics. There's a VA clinic in each of the three counties, plus the full hospital in Tampa for specialty care. Addresses and numbers are from VA.gov and county sources (August 2026); call ahead, since services and hours vary.
| VA facility | Where | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| New Port Richey VA Clinic (Pasco) -- large, full-service outpatient clinic: primary and specialty care, mental health, dental, eye, audiology, radiology, pharmacy, and prosthetics | 7900 Little Rd, New Port Richey | 727-869-4100 appointments 866-793-4591 |
| Zephyrhills VA Clinic (east Pasco) | 37827 Eiland Blvd, Zephyrhills | 813-780-2550 |
| Brooksville VA Clinic (Hernando) | 14540 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville | 352-597-8287 |
| Lecanto VA Clinic (Citrus) | 2804 W. Marc Knighton Ct., Lecanto | 352-746-8000 |
| James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (Tampa) -- the full hospital and ER, about an hour south, for anything the clinics refer out | 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa | 813-972-2000 |
Free rides to VA appointments
Getting to Tampa or a county clinic without driving is a common worry, and there's free help. Ask about these when you book:
- Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) -- the VA's own shared-van rides to appointments through James A. Haley, at 844-842-6040. Schedule a few days ahead.
- DAV vans -- free rides from Disabled American Veterans volunteer drivers, arranged with the VA and your county veterans office. See VA Tampa's transportation page.
- Beneficiary travel -- if you're eligible, the VA can reimburse your mileage or arrange transport. Check whether you qualify.
- Your County Veterans Service Officer (below) can help you set up a ride and knows the local options in your county.
Free local help: County Veterans Service Officers
These county offices are staffed by trained, accredited officers who file VA claims at no charge. Start here -- they're the most helpful call most families make. Numbers are from each county's official site (August 2026).
| County | Veterans Service Office |
|---|---|
| Citrus | 352-527-5915 · 2804 W. Marc Knighton Ct., Lecanto, FL 34461 · Citrus Veterans Services ↗ |
| Hernando | 352-754-4033 · 7479 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34606 · Hernando Veteran Services ↗ |
| Pasco | 727-834-3282, 813-929-2719, or 352-521-5172 · Pasco Veterans Services ↗ |
Thank you for your service. Whatever you're eligible for, you earned it, and every option above costs nothing to ask about.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs -- Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance. https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs -- Helpful VA phone numbers (benefits hotline 800-827-1000; MyVA411 800-698-2411). https://www.va.gov/resources/helpful-va-phone-numbers/
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs -- Find a VA location (regional benefit offices). https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=benefits
- VA Tampa health care -- New Port Richey, Zephyrhills, Brooksville & Lecanto VA clinics; James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital. https://www.va.gov/tampa-health-care/locations/
- VA Tampa health care -- DAV vans & Veterans Transportation Service (VTS 844-842-6040). https://www.va.gov/tampa-health-care/dav-vans-transportation-for-veterans
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs -- Beneficiary travel (mileage reimbursement). https://www.va.gov/health-care/file-travel-pay-reimbursement/
- Citrus County -- Veterans Services. https://www.citrusbocc.com/departments/community_services/support_services/veterans_services/index.php
- Hernando County -- Veteran Services. https://www.hernandocounty.us/living-here/veteran-services/
- Pasco County -- Veterans Services. https://www.pascocountyfl.gov/services/veterans_services/index.php