Support for caregivers means making sure you’re informed about the programs, resources and services available to you. The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) provides clinical services to caregivers of Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care.

CSP’s resources are offered through two programs:

  • The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) and
  • The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

VA has resources available for all caregivers

PGCSS is the core of CSP and is available for all caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care. Through PGCSS, caregivers have access to skills training, peer support mentoring, individual or group coaching, respite, mental health counseling and more.

Enroll in the Caregiver Support Program today

PCAFC provides additional clinical support services to caregivers of eligible Veterans enrolled in VA health care, who are seriously injured or ill and meet specific criteria. The additional services provided through PCAFC include a monthly stipend and health insurance, if eligible.

Watch this short video to learn more about what PCAFC offers. And when you’re ready, click here to learn how to apply for PCAFC.

About the Caregiver Support Program

The Caregiver Support Program promotes the health and well-being of Veterans caregivers through education, resources, support and services. Visit CSP’s website to learn more.

To learn about CSP and certain aspects of the program, take a look at our podcast with VA SITREP.

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21 Comments

  1. Mark Eugene Rowell April 27, 2023 at 19:47

    My caregiver is my live in gf. After my accident she was given 6-8 hours of training and we were sent home. She (we) were late in turning in her time cards. She is doing 2 hrs a day for the VA. They don’t want to pay backpay for the hours that were late. THAT IS NOT FAIR AND THAT IS NOT TAKING CARE OF A CAREGIVER THAT HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB.

  2. Gayle Hayes April 11, 2023 at 12:25

    My husband is a vet but does not see the va for his medical needs.
    He had Alzheimer’s and I am his sole caregiver. Am I entitled to any caregiver help?

  3. Thomas A Martinez April 10, 2023 at 20:40

    If you are a Viet Nam vet forget about getting in the care giver program we have been cursed with the war in Viet Nam, Im a combat Vet with marine corps 69-70. Even then the VA, wasn’t there for, us we were on our own, I didnt know about PTSD, until I was going to commit suicide at the age of 50. I was in the Psychiatric ward for 30 day that is when I found out the problems I had given the diagnose of anxiety disorder. Even then they did Now acknowledge that I had PTSD. I had to fight tooth and nails to have it changed to PSD Trying to get benefits for that was a night mare. I was awarded the Navy commendation with combat V, and I still had to write 2 stressors for them. denied. Now I have prostate cancer from agent orange am rated at 90 % with unemployability. which gives me at 100% rating. Iam 72 yrs old now after they removed my prostate, I leak a lot and at times I cannot control my bowl movements I wear diapers now, have back trouble, have trouble bending and changing my diaper, my care giver is my wife, she takes care of me with my meds changing cloths in and out of bed, we applied in October of 2020, was denied. We send the appeal for a higher review to Wisconsin, back in December of 2022, have not heard nothing from them. So we was told to reapply and guess what denied again. So dont get your hopes up, especially if you are a Viet Nam veteran. Tey play the game denied until you die.

  4. Elizabeth Kaffitz April 10, 2023 at 19:20

    Here’s another resource. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation can pay for a substitute caregiver if the primary caregiver needs time off. I used the grant to pay someone to stay with my husband while I was having surgery. Others might need time to just get away and chill. You have to document the veteran’s service and disability. But the turnaround to acceptance is very quick. Check out their website.

  5. Elizabeth Kaffitz April 10, 2023 at 19:05

    My husband is 140% disabled. (Don’t worry, he’s only compensated 100%.) Because he can stand to transfer to the car from his wheelchair and from his hospital bed to his wheelchair (with great pain), because–on a very good day–he can button his own shirt, I am not eligible for the stipend, either. I have to make every meal from scratch to keep him diabetic-friendly and low salt for his chronic kidney and heart failure. If I were unable to wrangle his wheelchair on and off its lift and push him around, he would be in a nursing home. He could not live alone. I’m 79. I’ve had 3 hip replacements, 2 knee replacements, and a spinal fusion. I need that stipend so I can get someone to come in and clean my house. All my energy is spent on caring for my husband. And I’m wearing out.

  6. Rejeana valle April 10, 2023 at 18:01

    Would have been nice if I had gotten help as a caregiver for my dad. Instead, the VA hospital let him lay there and die because if his age, they didn’t do anything for him. I am so disappointed in the hospital that did this. They may think I don’t realize what they did but I do. I’ve never been so upset in my lifetime.

  7. Dr.T.J Byron April 9, 2023 at 18:43

    As an aging, Retired Military and also VA Surgeon, I am always interested in hearing about medical care news.
    This article on information about ” caregiver” is useful.
    There will be a day, for all of us,to consider this information as relevant to coping with our last days.
    Dr.T.J. Byron

    • TreaH April 16, 2023 at 05:40

      Everything is wonderful

  8. Virginia Myers April 8, 2023 at 22:46

    I am a Caregiver and my husband is 100% permanent disabled Veteran with Cancer, ptsd, etc… why am I getting low pay when I am doing a 24 hour job because he can’t do on his own

  9. Steven McKnight April 7, 2023 at 22:10

    This program has been made to appear to all to be something that it is not.
    Congress intended to provide family caretaker stipends for thier sacrifice to thier families and our nation. The majority of severely disabled veteran’s who require tge care and assistance with normal activities of daily living are provided these services from thier spouse,thier child, thier siblings or thier parents. Many of whom have such constant responsibilities caring for the veteran that they are unable to persue any other issues including thier own careers. Congress intended these funds to be paid to the effective claimant specifically for their needs and their important responsibilities.
    This is not what is happening currently.
    Case in point, my wife is a rated 100 %, permanent and total service connected disabled Army veteran. She is ambulatory and has moments of extreme lucidity. However, she has been adjudicated unable to maintain independence in response to her profound cognitive irregularities that require constant instruction and ongoing support, as well as protection from the hazards inherent in the environment. She is cognitively unable to appropriately regulate behavior and she is not without recourse as these clinical manifestation are both permanent and total. We applied and were denied without any analysis or rational simply because the VA said no.
    To make things worse…the VA has made this program a great deal of subterfuge and word games. There is authorized a national caregiver program. There is no statutes dividing this up into the two separate programs of General…and Comprehensive.
    Everyone is part of the General….no need to register.
    Only the Comprehensive program provides the caregiver a needed and well earned stipend.
    So then we have been denied for no reason and we are given the opportunity to appeal to the same folks at the the VA who deny simply because they say so. Hmmmm….
    Any questions how that worked out..?
    Then we are given the opportunity to share in thier largesse and participate in the General program.
    Okay so what benefits would that be…? I’ll let you know in the past two years all I have recieved is two one sheet folded newsletters that go on about all the great things that the program does.
    In fiscal year 2024 the VA is appropriated 180,000 000,000 dollars for this so called caregiver program. ( That’s one billion eight hundred million dollars.) There are roughly 55,000 eligible veteran caregivers entitled to these funds whichever program both General and Comprehensive. That works out to 32,727.27.
    The American taxpayers in this instance have paid thier VA beauracrats thirtytwo thousand seven hundred twenty seven dollars for two stamps…..two envelopes and two photocopies.
    Is anyone else outraged…?
    And that is the true tragedy here.

  10. JYH April 7, 2023 at 15:15

    The problem is usually what the VA considers as ‘severe’ and ‘disabling’. Or, as stated, “who are seriously injured or ill and meet specific criteria”. My husband has been my caretaker for the past ten years, and now I realize how much it has really affected our marriage. There is guilt, resentment, obligation, frustration, and more – all of which can’t be helped and is normal when someone is in this situation. I have noticed that the VA tends to think you are not disabled unless you are hemiplegic, paraplegic, wheelchair bound, or have such severe PTSD that you are unable to function. I could be wrong because I do not have all the information yet, but with the info I have researched and do have, combined with observation, this seems to be the case. Sometimes the disability is only temporary and hopefully there is allowance for a few different types of application so that can be covered as well. But Thanks to those responsible for extending the Caregiver Support Program. I just hope it works. And thanks to all of you who answer the Crisis Line, volunteer, are nice, helpful, and non-judgemental. I have encountered some extremely rude folks here and there that should not be working in the healthcare system, so all in all, it is really appreciated when one is treated with respect and care. THANKS from a Vet.

  11. Fernando L Armenta April 7, 2023 at 11:29

    VA family caregivers program
    They are making it very hard to get
    Approval
    The requirements are very extreme
    Changes need to be changed
    The interim home health asssistance
    Are not responsible
    Veterans are not getting their needs met
    Very stressful
    Most of evaluators are not proving
    Face to face contact
    So they would help complete
    A competent professional asssessment
    Somebody needs help with this
    Problem
    Thank You
    Fernando L Armenta

  12. Teresa Clatterbaugh April 6, 2023 at 18:26

    I wish I heard about this years ago . I was my 100% disabled husband’s caregiver since 2017. Certainly would have taken advantage of the training classes. Could have used support also .

  13. Neal Eiber April 6, 2023 at 18:06

    I’m the vet and the caregiver for my spouse who is diagnosed with Dementia. Are there any. programs available for vets caring for their loved ones?

    • Elizabeth Kaffitz April 10, 2023 at 19:12

      Neal, the VA has an online program called Building Better Caregivers. It runs 6 weeks. Then you become an alumnus. We alums have a site where we ask questions, give answers, moan and groan as necessary, and generally help each other.

      Call your local VA Medical Center and talk with a Caregiver Support Counselor there. Find out what the VA can and cannot do for you. You might want to check with your county’s Office for the Aging, too. It never hurts to ask.

  14. Mark Lantrip April 5, 2023 at 20:31

    I’m a veteran, I’m carrying got my mom my dad was a veteran! We survived the tornado that hit amory Ms ! I put my mom in a home but I need help the home I’m staying in is being consumed by water and mold I really need help , her insurance provider pays for her but not me ! I’m getting ready to be homeless, need options! No rooms in the area

    • Jana April 7, 2023 at 14:18

      Depending on where you live there are some options. First, report the place you are living to the Department of Health unless you own it, and even if you do there are still options. Secondly, if the VA won’t step up, check with Medicaid, Medicare, your Mom’s insurance, and if your Mom is ‘homeless’, … she can get on Medicaid. Go to the nearest Senior Center for a list of numbers for agencies at the local, state and federal level that provide help. Is your father still living? It seems like he is not from your note, and I’m sorry for your loss. Depending on certain factors, you are probably eligible for more than you think. And due to the tornado, FEMA may help you find a home. Since you are ‘staying there temporarily’, that qualifies you as homeless also. Each state is a bit different regarding certain things, but Federal is the same. Let me know, or just put the state where you live and I bet you will get other responses as well….good luck – from a Vet & someone with life experience, former career in healthcare, etc.

  15. Richard Gage Sr. April 5, 2023 at 20:31

    How can I find out how to get reimbursement for my wife or another family member for in home care giving physical assistance in home and house cleaning services ??? Please advise. Thank you.

    • Jana April 7, 2023 at 14:31

      On this site – https://www.caregiver.va.gov/ I noticed it has a paragraph that says:

      – Enrolling in VA Health Care: A Veteran must be enrolled in VA health care, or is a Service member on active duty undergoing a medical discharge. Veterans can apply for VA health care benefits by completing and following submission instructions here (VA Form 10-10EZ).
      – Find out how the Veteran can apply for VA health care.

      Yet at the top of the page it states the following:

      VA announced that it is extending the amount of time that Legacy Participants, Legacy Applicants and their Family Caregivers within the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family (PCAFC) will remain eligible for the Program. This will include all services, supports and benefits for another three full years. More information can be found here (press release, Interim Final Rule) *For important updates about the Caregiver Support Program (CSP) go to: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/Announcements.asp

      I would visit the website- there are phone numbers on there and if you can’t get through, you can always call the VA Crisis Line (I believe-it might be for the actual Vets only) because they have always been extremely helpful and caring. It is at the top of the page where it says “Get help from the Veteran’s Crisis Line.” It isn’t just for suicidal vets. They help point you in the right direction, and sometimes they are there just to listen, which is wonderful. Good luck!

    • Melanie April 7, 2023 at 14:59

      Call your local caregiver support office to see if you qualify for homemaker services. It depends on your ADL’s how many hours. I also believe it may depend on disability rating with VA. But not sure. My dad is 100% and paralyzed, so he qualifies for most things. Also ask if you qualify for respite hours. They allow you to choose the agency they are contracted with. You can have a family member hired through the agency. Not sure if they allow spouse. You can always ask. I would also ask if you qualify for the primary family caregiver program.

      • Jeff April 10, 2023 at 17:57

        I am 100% and permanent but denied all respite care. Only if my week day hours can be used on weekend. Many veterans were disqualified effective October 1, 2022.

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