·         Pays for qualified veterans to receive services and support to help them maintain independence in their own homes.

·         This program is designed to provide support for the Veteran; not for the spouse, children, or pets.

·         If a self-directed program is not desired or appropriate, the VA offers home care through contracted Home Care Agencies in western Montana Counties. The VDC Team can assist with this process.

·         Eligibility is determined by the Geriatric Extended Care Assessment (GEC) which is administered by a nurse at the VA Clinic. Once eligible, participants are reassessed every six months to ensure they are receiving an appropriate amount of care related to their needs.

·         The GEC determines the amount of money available each month to pay for Personal Care Aide (PCA) hours   or other authorized services and supports.

·         Must have DD214 and affiliated with a VA Clinic.

·         A feature of the Veteran’s budget is a savings account where unused budget funds will be held. The Veteran may determine if he/she would like to designate a portion of their budget to save for an authorized purchase. There is a limit to the amount of money that can be held in the savings account ($100.00 less than the monthly budget). Any unused funds will be returned to the VA at the end of the six-month Authorization Period.

·         The Authorization Period is determined by the VA and it is generally six months in length.

·         Veterans may hire family members or friends to be the PCA(s). If that is not a preferred option, they may also advertise in the community.

·       All PCA(s) must complete the application process (which includes a background check and possibly reference checks) before they can begin work.

·         It may be determined that at Designated Representative (DR) is necessary to help direct care and services. The DR cannot become a paid caregiver but will be involved in the hiring and management of the PCA(s) as well as participating in budget decisions.

·         The Veteran (or DR) determines the hourly wage for their PCA(s). The wages for this program range from $12.00-$20.00 per hour.