Veterans Care: Healthcare and Caregiver Support
Veterans care covers everything from VA medical enrollment and community care to mental health, long-term care, and family caregiver support. This national guide explains how each program works, who qualifies, and where to find your local point of contact.
VA Healthcare Enrollment
Most veterans who served 24 continuous months of active duty with a discharge other than dishonorable can enroll for VA healthcare. Apply online at VA.gov/health-care/apply, by phone at 1-877-222-8387, or in person at any VA facility. Priority groups 1 through 5 typically pay no enrollment fee.
Community Care (MISSION Act)
The MISSION Act lets eligible veterans receive care from non-VA community providers when the VA cannot deliver timely or geographically reasonable access. Common triggers are wait times longer than 20 days for primary care or 28 days for specialty care, or a drive of more than 30 minutes to the nearest VA facility.
Mental Health and Crisis Care
VA mental health includes individual and group therapy, evidence-based PTSD treatments, substance use disorder treatment, medication management, and telehealth visits. Veterans in crisis can dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net any time, day or night.
Caregiver Support
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) provides a monthly stipend, training, mental health counseling, and respite care for the primary caregiver of a seriously injured veteran. The General Caregiver Support Program offers training and peer support to a wider group of caregivers.
Long-Term Care and State Veterans Homes
VA long-term care includes nursing home care, adult day health, home-based primary care, and hospice. Every state operates one or more State Veterans Homes that accept eligible veterans (and in some states, spouses) at reduced cost.
Find Veterans Care in Your State
Use the 50-state grid below to jump to the veterans care guide for your state, complete with verified phone numbers, websites, and local programs.
Veterans Care Guides by State
Select a state to find specific veterans care resources and programs for veterans.
Northeast
Midwest
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for VA healthcare?
Most veterans who served on active duty for 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called, with a discharge other than dishonorable, qualify. Combat veterans, former POWs, Purple Heart recipients, and veterans with service-connected conditions usually qualify regardless of length of service.
What is the difference between VA care and community care?
VA care is delivered at VA medical centers and clinics. Community care, authorized under the MISSION Act, lets eligible veterans see non-VA providers when the VA cannot offer timely care, when the drive to the nearest VA facility exceeds 30 minutes for primary care or 60 minutes for specialty care, or when a specific service is not available.
How do I reach the Veterans Crisis Line?
Dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by responders trained to help veterans, service members, National Guard, Reserve members, and their families.
What support is available for family caregivers of veterans?
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) provides a monthly stipend, training, mental health counseling, respite care, and CHAMPVA-equivalent health coverage to the primary family caregiver of a seriously injured eligible veteran. The General Caregiver Support Program offers training and peer support to a wider group of caregivers.