Adult Day Care for Veterans: VA Benefits & How to Enroll

Veterans who need daytime supervision, medical support, or social engagement may be eligible for adult day care through the Department of Veterans Affairs — often at little or no cost. Here is everything you need to know about VA adult day programs and how to access them.

What Is the VA Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Program?

The VA Adult Day Health Care program provides comprehensive, medically-oriented daytime services to eligible veterans at VA-operated or VA-contracted community centers. ADHC is part of the VA's broader Community Living Center and Home and Community Based Services portfolio, which aims to help veterans remain in their homes and communities rather than moving to institutional care.

Services provided through VA ADHC typically include:

Skilled nursing assessment and health monitoring (blood pressure, blood glucose, wound care)
Medication management and administration
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
Mental health support and counseling
Social work services and care coordination
Structured social and recreational activities
Nutritious meals and snacks
Assistance with personal care (bathing, grooming, toileting)
Caregiver education and support

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for VA Adult Day Health Care, a veteran generally must:

Be enrolled in VA health care. Veterans who are not yet enrolled can apply at va.gov/health-care/apply or by calling 1-877-222-8387.
Have a clinical need for the services. A VA clinician determines whether ADHC is appropriate based on the veteran's medical, functional, and social needs.
Require assistance with activities of daily living or have a condition (such as dementia, stroke recovery, or chronic disease) that warrants structured daytime supervision and health oversight.

Priority access is generally given to veterans with service-connected disabilities and those with limited income. However, VA health care enrollment and ADHC eligibility are separate from service-connection requirements — many veterans who are not service-connected still qualify for ADHC.

How to Enroll in VA Adult Day Health Care

The enrollment process involves a few straightforward steps:

Step 1 — Enroll in VA health care if not already enrolled. This is the gateway to all VA health benefits. Apply online, by phone, or in person at a VA medical center.
Step 2 — Contact a VA social worker or case manager. Request a referral for adult day health care through your nearest VA medical center or VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Social workers are the primary coordinators for ADHC referrals.
Step 3 — Complete a needs assessment. A VA clinician will evaluate the veteran's functional and medical status to determine eligibility and develop a care plan.
Step 4 — Placement at a center. The VA will connect the veteran with an approved VA-contracted adult day center or VA-operated program in the area. In states like Florida, Texas, and California, there are numerous contracted community providers.

Tip: If your local VA has a waitlist for ADHC, ask your social worker about the HBPC (Home Based Primary Care) program as an interim option, or about accessing community care through a non-VA provider while you wait.

Cost: What Veterans Pay

For most eligible veterans, VA Adult Day Health Care is provided at no cost or very low cost. Veterans in VA Priority Groups 1–6 generally pay nothing for ADHC services. Veterans in Priority Groups 7–8 may pay a copay, but it is typically modest compared to private-pay rates.

The VA covers transportation to and from the center for eligible veterans, which can be a significant cost factor at community-based programs.

Aid & Attendance: Additional Support for Veterans and Surviving Spouses

Veterans or surviving spouses who do not qualify for VA ADHC, or who need additional financial assistance for adult day care at a non-VA center, may be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) pension benefit.

Aid and Attendance provides a monthly cash benefit — up to approximately $2,300/month for a veteran with a dependent spouse in 2026 — that can be used for any qualified long-term care expense, including adult day care. Eligibility requirements include:

Wartime service (at least one day of active duty during a wartime period)
Limited income and net worth (the asset limit is approximately $155,000 in 2026)
Need for help with activities of daily living, bedridden status, nursing home residence, or severe visual impairment

Apply for Aid and Attendance by submitting VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) along with VA Form 21P-534EZ. A VA accredited claims agent or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can assist with the application at no charge.

Finding a VA-Contracted Adult Day Center

To find a VA-approved adult day health care provider in your area, start with your VA social worker or care coordinator. You can also use the VA's Community Care Provider Locator at va.gov/find-locations and filter for "Community Living Center" or community care providers.

Our directory includes many adult day centers that serve veterans — use the search below to find NPI-verified centers in your state.