HEALTHCAREVA program
VA Caregiver Support Line
Toll-free line (1-855-260-3274) where VA staff give information on caregiver support services, short-term counseling for stress and burnout, and a direct connection to the local VA Caregiver Support Program team.
Available to caregivers, family members, friends, veterans, and community partners
Step-by-step guide
What you get
A toll-free line, 855-260-3274, where VA staff share information on caregiver support services, counseling, and educational offerings, offer short-term counseling, and connect you to the caregiver support team at your local VA medical center.
Who the line is for
- A question about caring for a VeteranThe line is for caregivers, family members, friends, Veterans, and community partners, for information related to caregiving and the support VA offers.
Source: VA Caregiver Support Program: Caregiver Support Line (opens in new tab); VA Caregiver Support Line fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab)
What kind of help are you looking for?
- Caregivers, family, friends, and Veterans
The Caregiver Support Line is a toll-free number for caregivers, family members, friends, Veterans, and community partners with questions about caregiving. Its team shares information on support services, counseling, and educational offerings, and can connect you directly to your local VA caregiver support team. VA says that if you are new to VA or not sure what support fits, calling the line is a good first step.
Source: VA Caregiver Support Program: Caregiver Support Line (opens in new tab); VA Caregiver Support Line fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab)
- Ongoing support from a local team
For more complex needs, the line coordinates a referral to the caregiver support team at your local VA medical center. Local teams run the two VA caregiver programs: the general caregiver program (PGCSS), for caregivers who provide personal care services to a Veteran enrolled in VA health care, from any era, and the family caregiver program (PCAFC), which has its own application and rules.
- A Veteran enrolled in VA health careBoth caregiver programs serve caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care; the family program also covers a service member on active duty undergoing a medical discharge. The general caregiver program is for caregivers who provide personal care services, such as help with daily needs, safety, or health. It needs no application; the Veteran agrees to receive care from you and to have you listed as their caregiver in their VA health record.
Source: VA Caregiver Support Program: Caregiver Support Line (opens in new tab); VA Caregiver Support Program home (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.40(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.35 (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you want help with A short note of your caregiving questions: support services, counseling, classes, or finding your local team. | What to ask about | Keep it by the phone when you call. It stays with you. | |
| VA health care application VA Form 10-10EZ, the Veteran's application for VA health care. | That the Veteran applied to enroll in VA health care | The Veteran applies to VA online, by phone, by mail, or in person. If the Veteran is already enrolled, skip it. | |
| Caregiver listing in the Veteran's VA health record The note in the Veteran's VA health record that names you as their caregiver, with the Veteran's agreement. | That you are the Veteran’s general caregiver | It comes from your intake with your local VA caregiver support team. The Veteran must agree to have you listed. Nothing goes to BeneVets. | |
| Family caregiver program application VA Form 10-10CG, the joint application the Veteran and caregiver sign for the family caregiver program. | That you are applying to the family caregiver program | Apply online, by mail, or in person with your local caregiver support team. VA says not to send medical records with it. The line can help with the application and its status. |
These records matter if you go on to a caregiver program, and they go to VA, not BeneVets.
Steps, in order
- Free help with VA applications
The support line is not a claim. A VSO can help with the Veteran’s VA health care application or a family caregiver program application. Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab)
- Call the Caregiver Support Line
Call 855-260-3274 (TTY: 711), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Listen to the options in the greeting so your call reaches the caregiver team.
Source: VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab); VA Caregiver Support Line fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab)
- Ask for support during the call
Ask to talk with someone about stress or burnout. Social workers on the line can give emotional support and short-term counseling during your call.
Source: VA Caregiver Support Line fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab); VA Caregiver Support Program: Caregiver Support Line (opens in new tab)
- Connect with your local caregiver support team
Ask the line for a referral to the caregiver support team at your local VA medical center, or find your team yourself on VA.gov by state.
Source: VA Caregiver Support Program: Caregiver Support Line (opens in new tab); VA.gov: caregiver support teams (opens in new tab)
- If the Veteran is not enrolled, apply for VA health care
Both caregiver programs serve caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care. The Veteran applies first with VA Form 10-10EZ. After the Veteran is enrolled, you can ask about the general caregiver program.
Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab)
Good to know
Call 855-260-3274 (TTY: 711), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. The call is toll-free.
Source: VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab); VA Caregiver Support Program home (opens in new tab); VA Caregiver Support Line fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab)
Social workers on the line can give emotional support and counseling during your call. VA lists short-term counseling for stress and burnout, such as looking at caregiver strain and teaching coping skills.
Source: VA Caregiver Support Line fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab); VA Caregiver Support Program: Caregiver Support Line (opens in new tab)
VA's Caregiver Support Program runs the general caregiver program and the family caregiver program. To get help enrolling in either one, contact your local caregiver support team or call the line.
Source: VA Caregiver Support Program home (opens in new tab)
Call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
Source: VA Caregiver Support Program: Caregiver Support Line (opens in new tab)
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 16, 2026: 38 CFR 71.35 (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 71.40(a) (opens in new tab), VA Caregiver Support Program home (opens in new tab), VA Caregiver Support Program: Caregiver Support Line (opens in new tab), VA Caregiver Support Line fact sheet (May 2026) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: caregiver support teams (opens in new tab), VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab), VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab), VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab), VA Form 10-10CG (opens in new tab), VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)