Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

What you get

Training, counseling, and respite care for family caregivers of a veteran with a serious service-connected injury. The Primary Family Caregiver can also get a monthly stipend and health coverage through CHAMPVA.

What the caregiver program looks at: the veteran and the caregiver

1. 1A rating of 70 percent or moreA service-connected disability rated 70 percent or more, on its own or as a combined rating. The rule calls this a serious injury, incurred or made worse in the line of duty.
2. 2In-person personal care for at least six monthsThe veteran needs in-person personal care from another person for at least six continuous months. That means help each time with a daily activity like dressing, bathing, toileting, or feeding, or a need for supervision, protection, or instruction to stay safe each day.
3. 3Enrolled in VA health care, with care at homeThe veteran is enrolled in VA health care, gets care at home or will once a caregiver is named, and has a VA primary care team or will. A VA clinician also decides whether the program is in the best interest of the veteran. The same personal care cannot also be given regularly by another person or agency at the same time.
4. 4Discharged, or a date of medical dischargeThe veteran has been discharged from the military. A service member counts once a Physical Evaluation Board has found them unfit for duty and issued a date of medical discharge.
5. 5A caregiver who is 18 or older and family or lives with the veteranEach caregiver is at least 18 and is a spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member, or lives with the veteran full time or will if named. VA must not have found abuse or neglect of the veteran by that person.

Source: 38 CFR 71.15 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.20(a) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.25(b) (opens in new tab)

Which situation fits your family?

• A veteran and caregiver applying together

  The veteran and up to three family caregivers apply together: one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers. VA looks at the veteran first, then at each caregiver.

  Source: 38 CFR 71.15 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.20(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.25(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.25(b) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10CG (opens in new tab)

• Adding a caregiver for a veteran already in the program

  A veteran already in the program and the new caregiver file a new joint application. When the veteran already has a Primary Family Caregiver and the new person would be a Secondary Family Caregiver, VA does not evaluate the veteran again.

  1. 1A new joint application, within the caregiver limitA new VA Form 10-10CG for each new caregiver. Only one Primary and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers can be named at one time.

  Source: 38 CFR 71.25(a) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10CG (opens in new tab)

• A service member being medically discharged

  A service member undergoing a medical discharge can apply with a caregiver. VA.gov says the service member also needs to apply for VA health care, before or after the caregiver application.

  1. 1Found unfit for duty, with a discharge dateThe service branch's Physical Evaluation Board found the service member unfit for duty because of a medical condition, and a date of medical discharge has been issued.

  Source: 38 CFR 71.15 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.20(a) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

VA reviews the veteran's health records itself. VA.gov asks applicants not to send medical records with the application, and BeneVets does not ask for them.

Steps, in order

1. Get free help from a VSO

   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)

2. Check the rating and the care needs

   Look at the rating decision for a rating of 70 percent or more, individual or combined. Then think about whether the veteran needs in-person help from another person for at least six months.

   Source: 38 CFR 71.15 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.20(a) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab)

3. Enroll the veteran in VA health care

   The program requires VA health care enrollment. A veteran not yet enrolled can apply with VA Form 10-10EZ online, by phone, by mail, or in person.

   Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (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)

4. Decide who the caregivers will be

   Pick one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers. Each must be 18 or older and family, or live with the veteran full time.

   Source: 38 CFR 71.25(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.25(b) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab)

5. Apply together with VA Form 10-10CG

   The veteran and the caregivers apply together, online, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center. Everyone applying signs and dates it and answers every question for their role. Leave medical records out; VA reviews them itself.

   Source: VA Form 10-10CG (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.25(a) (opens in new tab)

6. If someone signs for the veteran, include proof of authority

   A representative signing for the veteran sends a power of attorney, guardianship order, or another document that shows the authority to sign.

   Source: VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab)

7. Talk with the caregiver support team

   A member of the caregiver support team where the veteran gets care contacts the veteran and the caregivers about the application. VA evaluates the veteran with the primary care team.

   Source: VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.25(a) (opens in new tab)

8. Finish training and the home visit within 90 days

   Each caregiver completes caregiver training, and VA visits the home. All of it must be done within 90 days of when VA got the application, or VA denies it and a new one is needed. VA can extend that when the delay is on its side.

   Source: 38 CFR 71.25(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.25(c) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.25(e) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab)

9. Read the decision

   If VA approves, it names the Primary and Secondary Family Caregivers.

   Source: 38 CFR 71.40(c) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.25(a) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab)

10. Set up direct deposit for the stipend

    A Primary Family Caregiver enrolls in direct deposit through the VA customer engagement portal to get the monthly stipend. VA.gov links a step-by-step guide.

    Source: VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab)

11. Look at CHAMPVA for the Primary Family Caregiver

    A Primary Family Caregiver without another health plan can get health coverage through CHAMPVA. Ask the caregiver support team how CHAMPVA enrollment starts.

    Source: 38 CFR 71.40(c) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: CHAMPVA benefits (opens in new tab)

12. Take part in wellness contacts

    VA checks in, in general, at least once every 120 days, with one visit a year in the veteran's home. These are required to stay in the program.

    Source: 38 CFR 71.40(b) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab)

13. Take part in the yearly reassessment

    VA reassesses the veteran and the caregivers, usually each year, sometimes with a home visit. It can raise or lower the stipend. A lower stipend starts no sooner than 60 days after VA gives advance notice of its findings.

    Source: 38 CFR 71.30(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.40(c) (opens in new tab)

14. Report changes within 30 days

    Tell the local caregiver support team within 30 days of a move, a stay in a hospital, nursing home, or similar facility, or a death. Late notice can lead to an overpayment.

    Source: VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.40(c) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.45 (opens in new tab)

15. If you disagree, pick a review option

    For a decision made on or after February 19, 2019, the options are a Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, a Board Appeal, or a Clinical Appeal to the VA facility chief of staff. A Higher-Level Review or Board Appeal must be requested within 1 year of the decision date. Older decisions have two options: a Board Appeal or a Clinical Appeal.

    Source: VA.gov: family caregiver program decision reviews (opens in new tab)

16. Call the Caregiver Support Line

    For help with the application, its status, or a review, call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 (TTY: 711), or find a local caregiver support team on VA.gov.

    Source: VA.gov: family caregiver program (PCAFC) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: family caregiver program decision reviews (opens in new tab)

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