VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

Quick Facts

What caregivers receive:
- For Primary and Secondary Family Caregivers: caregiver education and training, mental health counseling, and certain travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran for care
- For Primary Family Caregivers only: monthly stipend (direct deposit enrollment required), CHAMPVA (if not otherwise eligible under another health plan), free legal and financial planning assistance related to the injured Veteran’s needs, at least 30 days of respite per year, access to telehealth therapy sessions (VPPC), and access to military commissaries, exchanges, and recreation retail facilities
- Additional PCAFC notes (as listed on the VA page): enhanced respite care; travel and lodging daily allowance when traveling with the Veteran for VA‑approved health care
Caregiver designations: 1 Primary Family Caregiver and up to 2 Secondary Family Caregivers
Assignment timeline: You’ll be assigned as a caregiver no later than 90 days after VA receives your application (after required steps are completed)
Ongoing check‑ins: Wellness contacts occur at least every 120 days, with 1 annual home visit
How to apply: Online, by mail (VA Form 10‑10CG), or in person at a VA medical center caregiver support team

Program Overview

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) supports eligible family caregivers of Veterans with training, counseling, travel benefits, and ongoing wellness contacts. Primary Family Caregivers may also receive a monthly stipend, access to CHAMPVA (if otherwise ineligible for another plan), legal and financial planning assistance, at least 30 days of respite annually, telehealth therapy access, and commissary/exchange privileges.

PCAFC is administered by caregiver support teams at VA medical centers. After you apply together with the Veteran, VA conducts required steps before assignment and maintains regular wellness contacts to support both the caregiver and the Veteran.

Eligibility Pathway

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 live full time with the Veteran if designated
Veteran requirements (all must be true):
- Has a VA disability rating (individual or combined) of 70% or higher
- Was discharged from the U.S. military or has a date of medical discharge
- Needs at least 6 months of continuous, in‑person personal care services
- Is enrolled in VA health care
- Note: Active‑duty Service members undergoing medical discharge will need to apply for VA health care before or after submitting their caregiver application
Personal care services include assistance with:
- Health and well‑being
- Everyday personal needs (e.g., feeding, bathing, dressing)
- Safety, protection, or instruction in the daily living environment
Number of caregivers allowed:
- 1 Primary Family Caregiver
- Up to 2 Secondary Family Caregivers

Application Guidance

You and the Veteran must apply together and both must sign and date the application.

Apply online: Use the VA online application for caregiver assistance
Apply by mail:
- Complete VA Form 10‑10CG (Application for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers)
- Mail to: 10-10CG Evidence Intake Center PO Box 5154 Janesville, WI 53547-5154
Apply in person: Bring your completed VA Form 10‑10CG to the caregiver support team at your nearest VA medical center (use the caregiver support program teams directory or call the Caregiver Support Line; TTY: 711; Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. ET)

Important application notes:

Do not send medical records with your application
If the Veteran is already enrolled in PCAFC and wants to add a new caregiver, the Veteran and the new caregiver must submit a new application (only 1 Primary and up to 2 Secondary caregivers can be designated at any time)
To check application status or get help completing the form, call the Caregiver Support Line (TTY: 711; Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. ET)

If you are signing on behalf of a Veteran, you must have legal authority. Acceptable documents include:

Valid power of attorney
Legal guardianship order
Another state‑recognized legal document proving authority
Alternate Signer Certification (VA Form 21‑0972)
Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant’s Representative (VA Form 21‑22)
Appointment of Individual as Claimant’s Representative (VA Form 21‑22a)

What Happens After You Apply

A caregiver support team member will contact the Veteran and any named caregivers about your application and eligibility
Before assignment, you must complete:
- Caregiver education and training
- A home care assessment
Assignment timing: You will be assigned as a caregiver no later than 90 days after VA receives the application
If you disagree with a decision, you have options to request a review or appeal

Key Requirements and Compliance

Direct deposit is required to receive the monthly stipend (Primary Family Caregivers):
- Enroll via the VA customer engagement portal
- Follow the Primary Family Caregiver User Guide for Direct Deposit Enrollment (available via the VA outreach materials page; select “Family member and caregiver benefits” and download the caregiver direct deposit PDF)
Wellness contacts: Participate in check‑ins at least every 120 days, with one annual home visit
Notify your local caregiver support team within 30 days if:
- You or the Veteran move to a new address
- The Veteran is admitted to a hospital, rehabilitation center, correctional facility, assisted living facility, medical foster home, or nursing home
- The Veteran or another family caregiver dies
- Note: Timely notice helps avoid benefit overpayments

Benefits Summary

For eligible Primary and Secondary Family Caregivers:
- Caregiver education and training
- Mental health counseling
- Certain travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran to receive care
For eligible Primary Family Caregivers:
- Monthly stipend (payment) — direct deposit enrollment required
- CHAMPVA (if you don’t already qualify under another health plan)
- Free legal and financial planning assistance related to the injured Veteran
- At least 30 days of respite care per year
- Access to telehealth therapy sessions (VPPC)
- Access to military commissaries, exchanges, and recreation retail facilities
Additional PCAFC notes (as listed on the VA page):
- Enhanced respite care
- Travel and lodging daily allowance when traveling with the Veteran for VA‑approved health care

Execution Tips

Use the caregiver support program teams directory to connect with your local team for help applying or to check your application status
Set up direct deposit promptly through the VA customer engagement portal to avoid stipend delays
Keep contact information current and promptly report changes listed in the compliance section to avoid overpayments

Advanced Strategies

Consider designating up to 2 Secondary Family Caregivers to provide backup support to the Primary Family Caregiver, ensuring continuity of care
Utilize available counseling and telehealth therapy options (VPPC) to support caregiver well‑being alongside training and respite benefits

Timeline Template (Customize to Your Situation)

Day 0: Submit joint application (VA Form 10‑10CG) online, by mail, or in person
Days 1–30: Respond to caregiver support team outreach; complete caregiver education and training
Days 1–60: Complete the home care assessment
By Day 90: VA assigns caregiver(s) if eligibility and requirements are met
Ongoing: Wellness contact at least every 120 days and 1 annual home visit; report required changes within 30 days

Real Examples

The official VA page does not provide case examples or sample scenarios

Validation Notes and Known Issues (from the VA page)

Stipend amount and calculation method are not stated on the page
The Caregiver Support Line phone number is not shown on the provided page text (TTY: 711 and service hours are listed). This may indicate missing contact information on the page
Multiple benefit descriptions appear in different sections (e.g., travel benefits; travel and lodging daily allowance; enhanced respite). While not contradictory, applicants should confirm details with their local caregiver support team

Need Help?

Caregiver Support Line: TTY 711; Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. ET
Connect with your local caregiver support team via the caregiver support program teams directory or your nearest VA medical center