VA programs for caregivers of veterans.
If your loved one is a veteran, the VA runs some of the most generous caregiver programs in the country, including monthly stipends, training, and respite. Most caregivers of veterans never enroll because they don't know it exists.
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
This is the flagship program. Eligible caregivers receive:
- A monthly stipend (amount varies by the veteran's level of need and geographic location, often hundreds to over a thousand dollars per month)
- Health insurance (CHAMPVA) if the caregiver doesn't already have coverage
- Mental health counseling for the caregiver
- Respite care, at least 30 days per year
- Training and education on caregiving skills
- Travel reimbursement when traveling with the veteran for VA care
Who qualifies
Eligibility (current rules) generally requires:
- The veteran has a serious injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
- The veteran needs personal care services because of the condition
- Care can be provided at home
- The caregiver is at least 18 and is a family member or someone living with the veteran
The program was expanded in recent years to cover veterans of all eras (it was previously limited to post-9/11 veterans). The expansion has been phased, check current status.
Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
A lighter-touch program available to caregivers of any covered veteran, regardless of injury era. It doesn't include a stipend but provides:
- Caregiver education and training
- Peer support mentoring
- Counseling and support groups
- Respite care
- The VA Caregiver Support Line (1-855-260-3274)
How to apply
- Call the VA Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274. Free, with caregiver specialists who walk you through it.
- Or apply online at caregiver.va.gov.
- Or in person at your nearest VA medical center, every one has a Caregiver Support Coordinator.
You and the veteran apply together. Expect medical evaluations as part of the eligibility determination. The process can take weeks to months.
Other VA caregiver resources
- Aid & Attendance Pension, for wartime veterans who need help with daily activities; can include extra monthly pension dollars used toward in-home care
- Veteran-Directed Care, a self-directed program letting eligible veterans manage their own care budget, including potentially paying a family caregiver
- Adult Day Health Care, VA-funded day programs that provide a break for caregivers