Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)

Who the general caregiver program serves

1. 1You give personal care servicesPersonal care services are help the veteran needs from another person: with health and well-being, everyday needs like feeding, bathing, and dressing, or safety, protection, or instruction in their daily living environment. Under the rule, the veteran cannot do an activity of daily living, or needs supervision or protection because of a neurological or other impairment or injury.
2. 2The veteran lists you as caregiverThe veteran must agree to receive care from you and have you listed as their caregiver in their VA health care record. No application or clinical evaluation is needed.

Source: VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.35 (opens in new tab)

Where are you starting from?

• The veteran is enrolled in VA health care

  The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) is for people who give personal care services to a veteran enrolled in VA health care. You do not need to be a relative or live with the veteran.

  Source: VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.35 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.40(a) (opens in new tab)

• The veteran is not enrolled yet

  The veteran applies for VA health care first. After the veteran enrolls, you can ask about the general caregiver program.

  1. 1The veteran is enrolled in VA health careThe veteran applies with VA Form 10-10EZ. A service member going through a medical discharge applies for VA health care before or after the caregiver application.

  Source: VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

There is no application form. The caregiver support team does an intake and notes you in the veteran’s VA record. BeneVets does not ask for records.

Steps, in order

1. Free help with the veteran’s VA health care application

   The general caregiver program itself needs no form. The one thing filed is the veteran’s VA health care 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 Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab)

2. The veteran enrolls in VA health care

   If the veteran is not enrolled, the veteran applies with VA Form 10-10EZ, online, by phone, by mail, or in person. If already enrolled, skip this step.

   Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab)

3. Contact the caregiver support team

   Reach the caregiver support team or coordinator at the nearest VA facility, found through the VA.gov facility locator, or ask the veteran’s VA health care team for a referral.

   Source: VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab); VA.gov: find VA locations (opens in new tab)

4. Complete the intake

   Complete an intake with the team. The veteran agrees to your care and has you listed as caregiver in the VA health care record.

   Source: VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab)

5. Ask for the services you need

   Ask for training, coaching, peer support, or respite care for the veteran when you need them. There is no form to file.

   Source: 38 CFR 71.35 (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 71.40(a) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Program of General Caregiver Support Services (opens in new tab)

Good to know