When a DNQ Becomes an Opportunity
If you’ve ever submitted a referral and later found out that it did not qualify (DNQ), you are not alone—and we understand how frustrating that can be. At Veterans Care Coordination (VCC), we work daily with families and home care partners who are navigating a detailed, time-sensitive, and often emotional process. Our role is to provide clarity, organization, and steady support at each step while ensuring that the client remains in control of their application. At VCC, we are committed to assisting Veterans, surviving spouses, and their families as they manage this complex and often emotional journey.
It’s important to remember that a DNQ (Did Not Qualify) is not always the end of the road. In many instances, it simply indicates that the VA’s service, medical, or financial requirements do not match the client’s situation at the time of review. However, home care can significantly improve their circumstances and increase their chances of being a suitable candidate. Keep in mind that Veterans Care Coordination (VCC) does not determine the outcomes of the applications; the Department of Veterans Affairs ultimately makes the final decision regarding eligibility. We do not make decisions; rather, we support the process.
When you collaborate with VCC and promote Veterans benefits within your community, you often connect with families who are actively seeking care, even if their financial situation places them outside the VA’s guidelines. These connections can lead to private-pay opportunities and foster long-term relationships that may not arise through traditional marketing channels, transforming outreach for Veterans benefits into a more valuable resource for your agency.
At Veterans Care Coordination (VCC), we are dedicated to helping Veterans age comfortably in their own homes. As we begin a new year with updated asset limits, let’s take a moment to review these requirements. This will help you better understand the process and determine whether any of your clients might be a good fit.
Common Reasons a Client May DNQ
- Military Service Requirements
The VA requires proof of wartime service and a qualifying discharge status, documented on the DD-214. If the Veteran did not serve at least 90 days during the specific wartime dates required, the process will be stopped before financial or medical factors are even considered.
- Medical Need for Ongoing Care
The benefit is tied to the need for assistance with activities of daily living for a non-service-related medical condition. If a client does not yet have documented, recurring home care expenses, the VA may determine that the medical requirement has not been met.
- Financial Picture and “The Math”
The VA will review a Veteran’s or a surviving spouse’s income and assets. A client may have too high an asset count or too much countable income relative to their medical expenses at the time of application. Slight adjustments in the timing of care or the documentation of expenses can positively impact a Veteran’s overall financial situation, potentially enhancing if they are fit for the benefit.
- Timing of Medical Expenses
In many cases, a client must have active, ongoing home care expenses before their financial profile aligns with the VA’s guidelines. Without documented recurring monthly medical costs, their numbers may not meet the VA’s review standards.
The Role of VCC and The CareAdvance™
VCC’s role is to assist Veterans and surviving spouses through the process by helping them understand each step, organize required documentation, and move forward with clarity. For many families, the biggest barrier is starting care before they have the monthly medical expenses the VA considers in its financial assessment. In 2025, more than 80% of VCC clients used the CareAdvance™ program to begin home care while their application was in progress.
CareAdvance™ helps Veterans and surviving spouses put care in place when they need it, even if they cannot initially afford the monthly cost. By starting care sooner, clients establish a documented, ongoing home care expense that the VA considers during its review. The program does not influence the VA’s decision; it supports families by bridging the gap between the need for care and completing the application process, while also allowing home care providers to begin services without delay.
How This Helps Home Care Agencies
When referrals are aligned with the VA’s basic service, medical, and financial requirements, outcomes are stronger for everyone involved. With coordinated support from a VCC partnership and our CareAdvance™ program, we can help agencies move referrals forward and create additional care opportunities in several ways:
- Faster Start of Care: CareAdvance™ allows services to begin sooner, reducing delays that can occur while families wait for a VA decision.
- Private Pay and Future Opportunities: Clients whose assets or income do not align with the VA’s guidelines may still move forward as private pay clients or become future candidates if their situation changes.
- Expanded Lead Generation: VCC’s free, co-branded marketing materials help agencies connect with families seeking Veterans benefits and with community members who prefer to work with Veteran-supporting companies.
- Stronger Referral Alignment: Understanding the VA’s service, medical, and financial requirements helps agencies send more informed referrals and set clearer expectations with families.
- Ongoing Partner Support: VCC remains a resource for next steps and benefit direction when a referral does not move forward under the Pension with Aid and Attendance.
What This Means for Your Referrals
DNQs are rarely due to a single factor. They usually result from how service history, medical need, timing of care, and finances come together under the VA’s review. Understanding these fundamentals helps ensure referrals are realistic, informed, and positioned for the best possible outcome—whether through the VA benefit or alternative support options.
VCC is committed to supporting Veterans and their families throughout this process. We recognize that navigating the system can be challenging, which is why we work closely with our home care partners to provide clarity, resources, and direction. Our goal is to make this process as smooth and manageable as possible for everyone involved.
