The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) offers services to Veterans enrolled in the VA Health Care system and their caregivers. The program promotes the health and well-being of caregivers who care for our Nation’s Veterans — a mission carried out through two programs offering various levels of education, resources, support, and services.
If you’re the caregiver of a Veteran, be sure to consider taking advantage of all the benefits these programs offer. These programs can help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to provide high-quality care, and they offer caregiver-specific resources that can allow you to take care of yourself, too.
The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
PGCSS provides services and referrals for available resources to caregivers of Veterans with specific needs. For a caregiver to be eligible to participate, the Veteran must either require care for one or more activities of daily living or need supervision or protection for symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment or impairment from injury. The caregiver does not have to be a familial relation of or even live with the Veteran.
PGCSS General Caregivers may have access to:
- Training and support through in-person, online, and telehealth sessions
- Skills training focused on caregiving for a Veteran’s unique needs
- Individual counseling related to the care of the Veteran
- Respite care: a resource that offers medically and age-appropriate short-term services to eligible Veterans and allows caregivers to take time off
- Peer support mentoring
There is no formal application required to enroll in PGCSS. To enroll, complete the steps listed on the VA caregiver website.
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
PCAFC offers enhanced clinical support for family caregivers of Veterans who may be eligible for this clinical program if they sustained or aggravated a serious injury (or illness) in the line of active military duty. The Veteran must also have a combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or more and need personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months.
Veterans can designate one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers on the application (as backup support). Services available depend on whether you are a Primary or Secondary Family Caregiver, and may include:
- A monthly stipend (paid to you as caregiver)
- Access to healthcare insurance (CHAMPVA) if caregiver does not have health insurance
- Mental health counseling
- Certain travel benefits when traveling with Veteran to appointments
- At least 30 days of respite care for the Veteran while caregiver takes a break
To apply for the PCAFC program, fill out an application on the VA website. If you already participate in the program, the VA has proposed a rule to extend the program for another three years.
Learn More and Get the Support You Need
To explore Caregiver Support programs available from VA, please visit the VA’s caregiver website or call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274, and review the additional resources below.
Caregiver Information and Resources
Thank You for Taking Care of Our Veterans
As a caregiver, you sacrifice so much. Thank you for contributing your time, attention, and talent to those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Your caregiving means the world to your Veteran, and to us at Armed Forces Mutual.
If you have any questions about this process, email a Member Benefits representative at [email protected] or call 800-522-5221 and select the Member Benefits option.
This article was originally published May 15, 2015.