The VA recognizes the critical role family caregivers play in enabling Veterans to stay in their homes, surrounded by their loved ones.

That's why VA has announced the expansion of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) this October.

The specific launch date will be announced in mid-September

VA believes the PCAFC expansion will enhance the health and well-being of thousands of Veterans by supporting the caregivers who care for them. Two anticipated changes for the program are improved standardization and increased transparency.

PCAFC expansion will open up the program to eligible WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans. In addition, eligibility will change to eligible Veterans who have a single or combined VA service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher. This applies regardless of whether the disability is the result of an injury, illness or disease.

With this expansion, Primary Family Caregivers in PCAFC will also have access to financial planning and legal services.

Currently, PCAFC is only available to family caregivers of eligible Veterans seriously injured in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.

The program will expand in two phases

• In October, PCAFC will expand to eligible Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty in the active military, naval or air service on or before May 7, 1975.
• Two years after the expansion, PCAFC will expand again. Access then will include eligible Veterans from all eras who have a serious injury – incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval or air service.

VA's Caregiver Support Program (CSP) also offers robust educational services and supportive resources to Veteran caregivers. The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) has a range of services. These services include workshops, self-care courses, a Caregiver Support Line, psychoeducational group calls, Peer Support Mentoring and much more.

Many services are available via phone or online which is especially important during the coronavirus pandemic. All caregivers who provide personal care services to Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare have access to PGCSS.

Please consider contacting your local Caregiver Support Coordinator and asking about PGCSS.

Do not apply prior to the launch date

WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans will want to apply for PCAFC after the official launch date. VA will announce in mid-September.

Applications submitted from Veterans in these eras prior to the official launch date will be denied.

Check the Caregiver Support Program website at www.caregiver.va.gov for updates.

Courtesy the VHA Caregiver Support Program.