VA Caregiver Support Programs

The VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) administers two distinct programs for family members and individuals who provide care to veterans. Understanding which program applies to your situation is the first step toward accessing the right support.

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

PCAFC is the VA's primary support program for family caregivers of veterans with serious service-connected injuries or illnesses. It provides a monthly stipend (non-taxable), CHAMPVA health insurance, mental health counseling, respite care, travel benefits, and more. Originally limited to post-9/11 veterans, PCAFC was expanded to veterans of all service eras through the VA MISSION Act (fully expanded as of October 1, 2022).

Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)

PGCSS is available to caregivers of all enrolled veterans, regardless of service era, disability rating, or whether the condition is service-connected. It does not provide a stipend or CHAMPVA, but offers training, peer support groups, one-on-one coaching, telehealth resources, and referrals to community services. No formal application is required.

Veteran Requirements

A veteran must meet all of the following criteria:

• Service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher (individual or combined)
• Discharged from U.S. military or have a date of medical discharge
• Needs in-person personal care services for a minimum of 6 continuous months, including assistance with daily activities (feeding, bathing, dressing), safety and protection, or regular instruction/supervision
• Enrolled in VA health care

Caregiver Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be a spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member of the veteran, or live full-time with the veteran (or be willing to)

Caregiver Designations

• One Primary Family Caregiver: The main caregiver who receives the full range of benefits, including the monthly stipend
• Up to two Secondary Family Caregivers: Serve as backup caregivers and receive limited benefits (mental health counseling, certain travel benefits) but no stipend

MISSION Act Expansion: All Eras Now Eligible

PCAFC was originally limited to post-9/11 veterans only. The VA MISSION Act of 2018 expanded eligibility in two phases:

• Phase 1 (October 1, 2020): Expanded to veterans who served before May 7, 1975 (Vietnam era and earlier)
• Phase 2 (October 1, 2022): Expanded to veterans of all service eras, including those who served between May 7, 1975 and September 10, 2001

Legacy participant protections: Veterans and caregivers enrolled before the MISSION Act changes took effect are protected through September 30, 2028. During this period, legacy participants will not experience a decrease in stipend or removal from the program based on reassessment.

The monthly stipend is paid only to the designated Primary Family Caregiver. The amount is based on the OPM General Schedule (GS) Grade 4, Step 1 annual rate, adjusted for the locality pay area where the veteran resides, multiplied by the assigned tier level.

Tier Levels

• Tier 1 (multiplier: 62.5%): Assigned when the veteran needs personal care services but can still self-sustain in the community with caregiver assistance
• Tier 2 (multiplier: 100%): Assigned when the veteran is unable to self-sustain in the community and requires a significantly higher level of personal care

Estimated 2025 Monthly Stipend Ranges

Actual amounts depend on your specific locality pay area. Contact the VA Caregiver Stipend Team at 1-833-930-0816 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET) for your exact rate. Stipend rates are adjusted when OPM updates GS pay tables (typically annually).

Payment Details

• Paid via direct deposit (must enroll through VA's Customer Engagement Portal)
• Payments are typically received by the 5th of each month
• Only the Primary Family Caregiver receives a stipend — Secondary caregivers do not

Primary Family Caregiver Benefits

• Monthly stipend: Non-taxable payment based on tier level and locality (see above)
• CHAMPVA health insurance: Available if the caregiver does not already have health coverage through another plan (TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, employer plans). Enrollment is automatic upon PCAFC designation. Learn more on our CHAMPVA guide
• Mental health counseling: Individual counseling through VA, including the Virtual Psychotherapy Program for Caregivers (VPPC) via telehealth
• Respite care: At least 30 days per year, usable flexibly (e.g., one 30-day stay or ten 3-day stays). Three types available: in-home respite (6-hour blocks), adult day health care, and nursing home respite
• Enhanced respite care: Additional respite beyond the 30-day minimum for caregivers with higher care demands
• Travel & lodging benefits: Mileage reimbursement and lodging assistance when traveling with the veteran to VA appointments
• Legal & financial planning: Access to legal and financial planning assistance
• Military commissary & exchange privileges: Access to PX/BX shopping
• Comprehensive training: Caregivers FIRST (four-class program) and Building Better Caregivers (six-week online workshop)

Secondary Family Caregiver Benefits

Secondary caregivers receive a more limited set of benefits:

• Mental health counseling through VA
• Certain travel benefits when accompanying the veteran to appointments
• Enhanced respite care
• Caregiver education and training

Secondary caregivers do not receive a monthly stipend, CHAMPVA coverage, legal/financial planning, or commissary privileges.

If the veteran you care for does not meet PCAFC eligibility requirements — or if you simply want access to training and peer support — PGCSS is available to caregivers of all enrolled veterans. There is no disability rating requirement, no service-connection requirement, and no era-of-service restriction.

Key Differences from PCAFC

• No disability rating requirement — the veteran does not need a 70%+ rating
• No service-connection requirement — the condition does not need to be service-connected
• No relationship requirement — the caregiver does not need to be a family member
• No formal application — contact your local CSP team or call the VA Caregiver Support Line

Services Available

• Training programs: Caregivers FIRST (four-class clinical skills program), Building Better Caregivers (six-week online workshop), VA S.A.V.E. suicide prevention training
• One-on-one coaching: REACH VA individual coaching (four sessions over 2–3 months with a trained coach) and Caregiver Health & Wellbeing Coaching
• Peer support: Peer Support Mentoring Program, REACH VA group sessions, and locally facilitated support groups
• Digital tools: Annie text messaging program (stress management, dementia support, bereavement coping) and VA Video Connect telehealth
• Respite care referrals: CSP teams can connect you to local respite care options
• Community resource connections: Referrals to local, state, and national support resources

How to Enroll in PGCSS

No formal application is needed. Contact your local VA facility's Caregiver Support Program team, request a referral from the veteran's VA healthcare provider, or call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274. The veteran must agree to caregiver support (documented in their medical record).

Apply using VA Form 10-10CG. The veteran and caregiver must apply together — both must sign the application.

Three Ways to Apply

• Online: Submit VA Form 10-10CG at VA.gov
• By mail: Send the completed form to: 10-10CG Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 5154, Janesville, WI 53547-5154
• In person: Complete the form at your local VA medical center's Caregiver Support Program team

What Happens After You Apply

The VA follows a structured evaluation process after receiving your application:

1. Clinical evaluation: VA evaluates the veteran's personal care needs and functional status
2. Caregiver education & training: Caregivers must complete required training before designation
3. Home care assessment: VA conducts a home visit to evaluate the care environment
4. Designation: Assignment as Primary or Secondary caregiver occurs within 90 days of application submission

Ongoing Requirements

• Wellness contacts occur at minimum every 120 days (at least 3 per year)
• At least one annual home visit is included
• Caregivers must continue to meet eligibility requirements

Current Status: Reassessments Suspended

Reassessments still occur if a veteran or caregiver requests consideration for an increased stipend level (e.g., moving from Tier 1 to Tier 2) or there is evidence of increased need for personal care services.

Appeal Options

If you disagree with a PCAFC decision — whether it involves initial eligibility, tier assignment, stipend amount, or discharge from the program — you have the right to appeal. For decisions issued on or after February 19, 2019, you have four options:

For Board Appeals, three hearing options exist: Direct Review (no new evidence, no hearing), Evidence Submission (submit additional evidence, no hearing), and Hearing (present testimony with or without new evidence).

To check the status of an appeal, call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET; Sat, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET).

For more on the VA decision review process, see our VA Appeals guide.

Aid and Attendance (A&A) is a separate VA benefit that is sometimes confused with the caregiver program. Understanding the difference can help you pursue both if you qualify.

• VA Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET; Sat, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET; TTY: 711)
• Caregiver Stipend Team: 1-833-930-0816 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET)
• CHAMPVA Caregiver Specialty Unit: 1-877-733-7927
• Apply online: VA Form 10-10CG
• Find your local CSP team: VA Facility Locator
• VA Caregiver Support Program: caregiver.va.gov

Related Pages on VetAtlas

• VA Healthcare Overview
• CHAMPVA Benefits Guide
• Benefits Eligibility Finder
• VA Appeals Process