To protect Veterans and caregivers from the risk of COVID-19, VA relaxed certain requirements related to in-person home visits required for VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) for the duration of the national emergency related to COVID-19.
These changes include VA’s ability to complete required home visits virtually through telehealth.
VA’s flexibility to complete required home visits virtually will end May 11, 2023. After that date, Veterans and Family Caregivers applying for or participating in PCAFC who require in-home visits will be required to participate in in-person home-visits.
The benefits of PCAFC home-visits
In-person home visits enhance the PCAFC experience by providing an opportunity for VA to conduct comprehensive and wholistic assessments of Veteran and caregiver needs.
“In-person home visits allow staff to collaborate with caregivers and Veterans, adequately assess their clinical needs, and recommend any additional supports and services that may improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Colleen M. Richardson, executive director of the Caregiver Support Program. “Our goal is to provide the best care possible for every Veteran and caregiver enrolled in PCAFC.”
The requirement for in-person home visits
The requirement for in-person home visits applies to:
- Initial home-care assessments required as part of the evaluation for PCAFC eligibility. This assessment must be conducted before VA can approve and designate a Family Caregiver.
- Home visits that may be required as part of reassessments.
- Wellness contacts, generally occurring every 120 days, which are required for PCAFC participation. At least one visit must occur in the eligible Veteran’s home on an annual basis. The purpose of these visits is to review the eligible Veteran’s well-being, adequacy of personal care services being provided by the family caregiver(s) and the well-being of the family caregiver(s).
The end of the national emergency does not impact the suspension of reassessments for PCAFC eligibility that was announced in June 2022.
Next steps
VA is working hard to communicate this information to Veterans and caregivers applying for or participating in PCAFC through discussions, letters and updates posted at the Caregiver website.
About the Caregiver Support Program
PCAFC is just one way VA supports caregivers. To learn more about PCAFC, the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) and other supports that may be available, visit CSP’s website to learn more.
To learn about CSP and certain aspects of the program, see our podcast with VA SITREP.
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Can someone direct me to the DOD VA Directive and the ACT number? Seems to me the staff is not following the mandates from Congress. Meeting with the VA Secretary at the end of the month.
I guess I am in the minority. I happen to appreciate what the VA does for veterans. I know that at times it seems like the VA is not interested in my best interest, but when I look at the overall picture I am proud of the service I get from the VA. I believe that the treatment I get from the VA is A+. When you consider the number of veterans using the VA, then a little inconvenience is really not a big deal. Yes I would like to go to the head of the line but then I realized that there maybe another veteran who is in need of treatment more then me after all I am only 80% disabled and many others are at the same level. However, when I go to the VA for treatment I receive first class care just like every other veteran regardless of the disability rating. I do use doctors outside of the VA and believe I get as good of service from the VA as I do from outside providers. To the VA thank you for all you are doing for veterans. – if you were not there many veterans would not have medical care at all. Be grateful for what you have.
I haven’t had any problems so far, the works have been than helpfull. I was wondering if there is somewhere to help with autos. I have to do all the driving now and can see good over the hoop. I need so kind of idea to mark the front end. It’s hard to explain. We lost everything when he went threw his “bad spell”, lost all are money and other things we are doing great for what is going on now. Bless all the caregivers out live has good days and then here comes the bad. Thank you all for your support!
SADLY, a number of unqualified caregivers not reliable and less than two weeks CG walks out the door leaving family members without much needed assistance. CG’ers pack-it-up without give a second thought to the veteran in need. Perhaps pay is an issue and bedridden veterans often requires two people not one. Sounds good on paper: “In-person home visits allow staff to collaborate with caregivers and Veterans, adequately assess their clinical needs, and recommend any additional supports and services that may improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Colleen M. Richardson, executive director of the Caregiver Support Program. “Our goal is to provide the best care possible for every Veteran and caregiver enrolled in PCAFC.” Non-Combat Veteran of Family member a “WOUNDED VIETNAM VETERAN.
BULLSHT. The staff is not conducting in-home visits as directed. How can they assess the veteran’s need from a phone, web camera, and even an office visit? There are tons of veterans with non-visible injuries and I am sure that was Congress’s intent. A psychological injury becomes a physical injury if not treated.
The program is just another way to fund money in executives pockets! Applied for the program denied die to new and improved qualifications that were not in place when the program started. Abolish the VA
Is there still a stipend available for family homecare givers?
Like the way that VA cut out our travel pay by creating a burocratic system that has made it such a hassle to apply for it. I have not received travel pay for months. You spent thousands of dollars on good machines to apply on the clinic locations and now I have to do all the administrative work. What a bunch of bull. Now you want to put barriers in the care giver system that works. Please do not put barriers in the way of our Disabled Veterans.
Hi, I was a certified level 2 caregiver since 2013, my husband, because of Prozac, went hyper manic, abandoned me and everything for six months until his meds were regulated but during that time I lost my comprehensive caregiver status and applied, turned down, appealed. His health physically and mentally takes over my life, consumes me, but under new criteria they turn me down. He has multiple physical and mental illness. It’s so hard. The mission act Is not right.
I am my husband’s primary caregiver. We cannot afford to hire someone to come in a take care of my husband. We have bills to pay so I have to work full time. I worry that something is going to happen to my husband, being home alone during the day, while I work. I need to keep working until I’m 70, 2.5 more years, so my retirement pay will be enough to tide us over to live a spartan life in retirement.
Is there any help for us currently?
How will we be notified of a scheduled home visit phone, mail, email?
Is there assistance for veterans who are living in conditions that are hazardous? There is mole in the house and a snake was found in bed with the veteran that is paraplegic. Please help
That’s awful. You should report this to the crises line 1 (800) 273-8255 at once! Please for the vets sake.
I’m retired Navy. My wife has advanced Parkinson’s Disease and I am here primary caregiver. Its wearing on me. Is there any help for veterans/ retirees who are the care givers. My wife was overseas with me living in the Philippines and had to live off base. She was exposed to whatever was in the water or sprayed there. Can i receive some assistance.
I would think there should be help for you. Your spouse was present while you served and was affected by the same environment.