VA Caregiver Stipend: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

Caring for a wounded or disabled veteran with serious health needs can be overwhelming — physically, emotionally and financially. For family caregivers in need of support, the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) may help ease that burden through resources such as a monthly stipend, health coverage and counseling. For veterans, the program helps ensure that trusted family caregivers have the tools and support needed to provide quality care.

Unlike other caregiving programs in America, this benefit is exclusive to veteran caregivers — a rare recognition of the physical, emotional and financial toll that military families shoulder. With about  2.3 million  U.S. veterans holding a 70% or higher service-connected disability rating, many families qualify for the benefit. This support can mean the difference between financial hardship and stability — helping cover lost income, medical costs or respite care.

Beyond the stipend, PCAFC provides caregiver education and training, mental health counseling, beneficiary travel assistance when traveling with the veteran for care, health coverage through CHAMPVA (if otherwise uninsured), and at least 30 days of respite care per year. Veterans can designate one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers as backup support.

PCAFC eligibility requirements

To qualify, caregivers must be supporting a veteran with a serious service-connected injury or illness who needs ongoing help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing or managing medications. Eligible caregivers — often spouses, adult children or other close relatives — must be at least 18 and either live with the veteran full-time or plan to do so. The veteran also must:

• Have a VA disability rating of 70% or higher
• Be discharged from the military or have a medical discharge
• Require at least six months of continuous, in-person care
• Be enrolled in VA health care

How to apply: The caregiver and the veteran must apply together. Visit the VA’s PCAFC application page for more details on how to apply.

Questions: Contact a local VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) or call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274.