VA recognizes the critical role that family caregivers play in enabling Veterans to stay in their homes, surrounded by their loved ones. That’s why VA has expanded the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) to include caregivers of eligible Veterans of all service eras.
Now available to caregivers of eligible Veterans from all eras of service
Previously, PCAFC was only available to eligible Veterans who served on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This expansion opens the program to eligible Veterans of all eras, including those who served after May 7, 1975, and before Sept. 11, 2001.
Over the past two years, PCAFC has added approximately 20,000 active Veteran and Family Caregiver participants. This final phase of PCAFC expansion will enhance the health and well-being of thousands more Veterans by supporting the caregivers who care for them.
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers offers clinical support services
Expansion will enhance the well-being of thousands more Veterans by supporting the caregivers who care for them.
PCAFC is one of two programs under VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP) that provides specialized services to caregivers.
Primary family caregivers may receive:
- A monthly stipend (paid directly to the caregiver);
- Access to health care insurance through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) (if otherwise not insured);
- Mental health counseling;
- Certain beneficiary travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran to appointments;
- At least 30 days of respite care per year. Respite is short-term relief for someone else to care for the Veteran while the caregiver takes time away.
Secondary family caregivers may receive services such as mental health counseling and certain beneficiary travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran to appointments.
PCAFC eligibility and how to apply
To be eligible for PCAFC, the Veteran must have a serious injury (or illness), which is a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or more and meet additional criteria. PCAFC eligibility criteria can be found on CSP’s website here.
Caregivers and Veterans can also visit CSP’s website or call their local CSP team to learn how to apply.
Services available to all caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care
Caregivers of Veterans who are not eligible for PCAFC can also receive robust resources through CSP’s Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS).
PGCSS provides a range of services to all caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care, including skills training, mobile support, education, one-on-one and group coaching, Peer support mentoring, and much more. Caregivers of Veterans are encouraged to inquire about PGCSS, even while they are applying for PCAFC.
Caregivers can contact their local Caregiver Support team to ask about PGCSS.
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