Eligibility Requirements

Guests of VA Puget Sound must be the family member, friend or caregiver of either active duty personnel or Veterans.  Active duty personnel with a loved one in another Seattle area hospital (such as Children's) are also eligible.  The majority of our guests have a loved one in-patient at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.  The Fisher House is not a medical facility.  Veterans receiving outpatient treatment (such as chemotherapy or radiation) may stay at the Fisher House if approved by the medical team and if accompanied by a family member or caregiver while receiving treatment. 

The following are the eligibility requirements for staying at the VA Puget Sound Fisher House:

• Guests must be medically stable and able to care for themselves and/or family members independently.
• Guests must live 50 miles or more from the Fisher House.
• Guests must have a permanent address.
• Minor children are welcome at the Fisher House; they must be supervised by family or friends at all times.
• Only one room is assigned to each family, with no more than 3 individuals to a room.  Occupancy cannot exceed OSHA regulations per room.

Room Assignments and Check-in Policies

We do not take reservations and all rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.  Referrals to the house are made through the social worker assigned to the patient's case.  We ask that guests call one day in advance of their expected check-in date to confirm availability.  If the house is at full occupancy, guest requests are placed on a wait list.  The request is considered active as long as the patient is in hospital. Wait listed guests are notified by staff if a room becomes available.

Check-in is available 9am-2:00pm, Monday through Friday.  The Management office is closed on evenings, weekends and all Federal holidays.  We are unable to provide evening or weekend check-in. 

What to Expect When You Arrive

You will be greeted by management  staff  or a volunteer who will give you a tour of the facility and explain the general rules of the house.  There is a small amount of paperwork for you to sign and then you will be given keys to the house and your room, as well as a remote for the parking lot gate, if applicable.  At that point you will be shown to your room and invited to make yourself at home.

Guests are able to stay in Fisher House as long as the patient is in the hospital.  Following a patient's discharge from the hospital, guests who are unable to be home before sun down the day of discharge have until the next day to check out of Fisher House.

For more information please read our Family Orientation Guide, which is given to all new and returning guests at check-in.