HEALTHCAREVA program

Respite Care

Temporary relief for informal caregivers by providing substitute care for the veteran at home, in an adult day health care program, or in a VA or community residential setting.

Available to enrolled veterans with caregiving needs based on clinical assessment

View on VA.gov

Step-by-step guide

What respite care needs

Enrolled, and VA finds the service is neededYou are signed up for VA health care, VA concludes you need the service for your ongoing treatment and personal care, and the service is available near you.
You live at home with a caregiverUnder the rule, respite care is short, given now and then, for a veteran with a chronic illness who lives mainly at home, to help the veteran keep living at home.

Source: VA.gov: nursing homes, assisted living, and home health care (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.111(c)(8) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(xi)(B) (opens in new tab)

Which kind of respite care is this?

Daily respite care (no overnight stay)
Respite care pays for someone to come into your home, or for you to go to a program outside your home, while your family caregiver takes a break. Respite care at home or by the day is part of the medical benefits package.
Source: VA.gov: nursing homes, assisted living, and home health care (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(xi)(B) (opens in new tab)
Overnight respite care
Overnight respite care is given in your home or onsite. Institutional respite care is also part of the medical benefits package.
1. Enrolled, and VA finds the service is neededThe same VA.gov conditions apply: enrollment, a VA finding that you need the service, and a place available near you.
Source: 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(xi)(A) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.111(c)(8) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: current VA health care copay rates (opens in new tab); VA.gov: nursing homes, assisted living, and home health care (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

Documents for this benefit: what each is, what it shows VA, and how VA gets it
Document	What it shows	How VA gets it
VA health care application VA Form 10-10EZ, the application for VA health care.	Enrollment in VA health care	Apply to VA online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center.
VA care team assessment Your VA care team looks at your care needs at home and the help your caregiver gives.	That respite care is needed to support care at home	Ask your VA social worker or VA primary care team. VA does the assessment.
Application for extended care services VA Form 10-10EC, the financial form VA uses to set extended care copays.	Your copay amount, if one applies	Give it to your VA medical facility when you first ask for extended care, after a break of more than 30 days, and each year with your 10-10EZ, unless you pay no copay.

Your VA care team arranges respite care from VA records. BeneVets does not ask for copies of them.

Steps, in order

Get free help from a VSO
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)
Enroll in VA health care
Apply for VA health care with VA Form 10-10EZ, online, by phone, by mail, or in person. If you are already enrolled, skip this step.
Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab)
Ask your VA social worker
VA.gov says to contact your VA social worker to find out how to get long-term care services, respite care included.
Source: VA.gov: nursing homes, assisted living, and home health care (opens in new tab)
Complete the extended care form if asked
Unless a copay exemption applies, VA asks for VA Form 10-10EC when you first request extended care. VA uses it to set any copay after the first 21 days.
Source: VA Form 10-10EC (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.111(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.111(f) (opens in new tab)
Caregivers: ask about caregiver support too
Family and general caregivers can also get training, peer support, and coaching through VA caregiver support programs.
Source: VA.gov: health and disability benefits for family and caregivers (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.40(a) (opens in new tab)

Good to know

Up to 30 days each calendar year

The VA.gov copay rates page describes in-home and onsite respite care as available up to 30 days each calendar year. For a Primary Family Caregiver in the family caregiver program, the rule sets at least 30 days a year, and more when clinically appropriate.

Source: VA.gov: current VA health care copay rates (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.40(c) (opens in new tab)

Copays start on the 22nd day

There is no copay for the first 21 days of extended care in a 12-month period. From the 22nd day, the daily copay depends on the level of care and the financial information on VA Form 10-10EC. For extended care through community care, you pay nothing at the visit and VA bills you later, at no more than the cap.

Source: 38 CFR 17.111(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.111(b)(3) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: current VA health care copay rates (opens in new tab)

Who pays no copay

No extended care copay applies to a veteran with a compensable service-connected disability, to a veteran whose yearly income is below the VA pension income limit, to care for a zero percent service-connected disability, or to a Medal of Honor recipient. A veteran VA finds catastrophically disabled pays none for daily respite care.

Source: 38 CFR 17.111(f) (opens in new tab)

BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you