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VA Caregiver Support Program

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Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

  PCAFC Announcements

 warning button Important Update Impacting the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

PCAFC VA has published a final rule which extends the transition period of legacy participants, legacy applicants, and their Family Caregivers (the legacy cohort), through September 30, 2028.  Link to final rule.

This means legacy participants, legacy applicants, and their Family Caregivers will remain eligible for PCAFC and will not experience a decrease in the monthly stipend amount based on a reassessment for the duration of the transition period (certain exceptions apply).

A link to the final rule is here: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-18827 
 
If you have questions about this final rule, or to learn more about supports and services available to Veterans and their caregivers, contact your local Caregiver Support Program team or reach out to the Caregiver Support Line Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm ET at 1-855-260-3274. 


The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offers enhanced clinical support for Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans.

To learn more about the program, see our PCAFC Overview Video

Veterans may be eligible for this clinical program if they:

Sustained or aggravated a serious injury (or illness) in the line of duty in the active military, naval or air service during any service era. Among other applicable eligibility criteria, an eligible Veteran must:

  1. Have a single or combined service-connected disability rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of 70% or more, and
  2. Be in need of personal care services (requiring in-person personal care services) for a minimum of six continuous months based on any one of the following:

- An inability to perform an activity of daily living. 
- A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury; or
- A need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which the ability of the Veteran to function in daily life, would be seriously impaired.   

For more information on these changes, please see the Fact Sheets below.

How do I apply for this program?

•  Apply Online: VA Online Application (Equal to VA Form 10-10CG) 
•  By Mail: Visit VA Forms at https://www.va.gov/find-forms to download and print VA Form 10-10CG (PDFs) in English, Spanish, or Tagalog  
   Mail the form and any supporting documents to:
   - 10-10CG Evidence Intake Center
     PO Box 5154
     Janesville, WI  53547-5154
•  In Person: First visit VA Forms at https://www.va.gov/find-forms to download and print VA Form 10-10CG (PDFs) in English, Spanish, or Tagalog.  Once filled out, bring to your local CSP Teams/Caregiver Support Coordinators.
   To find your local CSP Team, you can:
   - Use the CSP Team Locator Tool, or
   - Contact the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 

Do not send medical records along with the application. VA will follow up after the application is received. If you need assistance with completing the application or would like to check the status of your 1010CG application please call 1-855-260-3274.

What services does this program offer?

Veterans can designate one (1) Primary Family Caregiver and up to two (2) Secondary Family Caregivers on the application. Secondary Family Caregivers serve as a backup support to the Primary Family Caregiver when needed. Services will depend on whether you are the Primary Family Caregiver or a Secondary Family Caregiver.

If you are the primary caregiver, you may receive:

  • A monthly stipend (paid directly to you as the caregiver.)
  • Access to health care insurance through Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), if you do not already have health insurance.
  • Mental health counseling.
  • Certain beneficiary travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran to appointments. For specific details, please contact your CSP Team.
  • At least 30 days of respite care per year, for the Veteran. Respite is short term relief for someone else to care for the Veteran while you take a break.

If you are the secondary caregiver, you may receive:

Be sure to check www.caregiver.va.gov for updates or subscribe to receive email updates and information about VA Caregiver Support Program services.

More Information about the program

PCAFC expansion Fact Sheets. (English)

Stipend Direct Deposit Enrollment Guide

PCAFC Roles, Responsibilities, and Requirements Fact Sheet. (English)

PCAFC Revocation and Discharge Fact Sheet. (English)

VA/DOD Expanding Access to Military Commissaries

Hojas de datos de expansión de PCAFC. (Spanish)

Mga Kadahilanan sa Pagpapalawak ng PCAFC. (Tagalog)

VA Will No Longer Issue PCAFC Paper Checks

If you are enrolled in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and receive a stipend by paper check, you must enroll in direct deposit. Caregivers can enroll in direct deposit as a vendor, through VA’s Customer Engagement Portal: https://www.cep.fsc.va.gov/

Step-by-step instructions for enrolling can be found in the CSP Direct Deposit Enrollment User Guide (pdf). Learn more on the PCAFC direct deposit page. https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/CSP_Direct_Deposit.asp

Improved Communication - PCAFC 

PCAFC participants can now get information about where their claim is in the 4-step review or appeal process via the Caregiver Support Line (CSL) at 1-855-260-3274.

The four stages are:
1. Pending intake – VHA CSP has received the individual’s request and will review it to determine if it meets specific requirements, including but not limited to, required signatures, required identifying information, and required supporting documentation, as applicable. Once the packet clears the intake process it will be placed in queue for assignment and will be worked in the order in which it was received.
2. In Queue for Assignment – The intake process has been completed, and the request is now in the queue for assignment to a reviewer.
3. Assigned and Under Review – The intake process has been completed, the request has been assigned to a reviewer, and it is now under review.
4. Decision Issued – This means a decision has been issued on the matter and the decision letter mailed. The individual can expect to receive the letter within 10-14 business days of the date of mailing.

Options for Veterans and Caregivers who Disagree with a PCAFC Decision

If you disagree, in whole or in part, with a decision under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), there are options for you to appeal or request a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) review the decision. 

Explore PCAFC Review and Appeal Options

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