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8 min read 6 stepsMay 8, 2026Verified May 2026

How to Use the VA's Caregiver Support Program

Walkthrough for family members caring for a disabled senior veteran, covering the Caregiver Support Program tiers, monthly stipend, and respite benefits.

At a Glance

Decide Whether the Veteran Qualifies for PCAFC or PGCSS

~50s

PCAFC, the stipend program, is for veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher who need six months or more of personal care. The veteran must need help with at least three activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, eating, walking, toileting, or transferring from a bed to a chair, or have a serious cognitive condition documented by a doctor. PGCSS, the free training and support program, has no rating requirement. Any veteran enrolled in VA health care and any caregiver who helps them can use it. If the veteran's rating is below 70 percent, start with PGCSS, which still offers free monthly support group meetings, online classes, peer mentoring, and the 24-hour caregiver hotline. Many caregivers who later qualify for PCAFC started in PGCSS.

Quick Tip

Caregivers in PGCSS often hear about new community resources, like meal delivery, transportation help, and home health partnerships, that the rest of the VA system does not advertise.

Call the Caregiver Support Coordinator at Your VA Medical Center

~50s

Every VA medical center has a Caregiver Support Coordinator on staff. To find yours, open your web browser, type caregiver.va.gov in the address bar, and press Enter. Click "Find a Caregiver Support Coordinator" and search by state or zip code. Each listing includes the coordinator's name, phone number, and email. Call your local coordinator and ask for the PCAFC or PGCSS application packet, depending on which program fits. The coordinator can also tell you whether the veteran's existing VA records already show enough disability rating and care needs to qualify. The call is free and the coordinator does not represent any side. Their role is to guide caregivers through the system at no cost.

Quick Tip

If you cannot reach the coordinator after two business days, call the national VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274. The line is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.

Complete VA Form 10-10CG and the Joint Veteran-Caregiver Application

~50s

VA Form 10-10CG is the main PCAFC application. The form is filled out jointly by the veteran and the proposed primary family caregiver. The veteran's section asks for service history, current disabilities, current VA care providers, and current daily care needs. The caregiver's section asks for the caregiver's relationship to the veteran, daily availability, health history, and any other paid work the caregiver does. Both sign the form. The form can be submitted online at caregiver.va.gov, by mail, in person at the VA medical center, or by fax. The application also allows naming up to two secondary family caregivers, who can step in when the primary needs a break. Secondary caregivers receive training and respite hours but do not receive a stipend.

Warning

Do not leave any section blank. A blank section can pause the application for weeks while the VA writes asking for more information. Write "N/A" or "None" if a question does not apply.

Complete the Home Visit and Caregiver Training

~49s

After the VA receives the application, a VA clinician will schedule a home visit with the veteran and the proposed caregiver. The visit usually lasts two to three hours. The clinician confirms that the veteran's care needs match the application and that the home is safe for the level of care the caregiver provides. The visit is informal. Have coffee and water available, and feel free to take notes. After the home visit, the caregiver completes a free VA training program. The training is online or in person depending on the location, runs about 16 to 30 hours, and covers safe lifting, medication management, infection control, mental health support, and self-care for the caregiver. Once training is complete, the caregiver receives a certificate that is filed with the application.

Quick Tip

Take the online training in 30- to 60-minute chunks instead of marathon sessions. The material covers a lot, and breaking it up helps with retention.

Receive the Approval Letter and Set Up Direct Deposit

~49s

After the home visit and training, the VA committee reviews the full application and assigns a tier. Tier 1 is for veterans who need help with some daily activities, and Tier 2 is for veterans who need near-constant supervision. The approval letter arrives by mail with a copy posted on the veteran's va.gov account. The letter names the primary family caregiver, the tier, the monthly stipend amount, and the effective start date. The caregiver sets up direct deposit through Treasury Department form SF-1199A or through the va.gov payment portal. The first stipend payment usually arrives within 30 to 45 days of approval. The stipend is paid on the first of each month going forward, as long as the caregiving relationship continues.

Warning

The VA reassesses every PCAFC case at least every two years. Keep notes on the daily care provided, any new diagnoses, and any hospital visits. A binder with notes makes reassessment go faster.

Use Respite Care, Mental Health Counseling, and Travel Reimbursement

~51s

PCAFC primary caregivers receive up to 30 days a year of free respite care, which gives the caregiver a break by sending a paid home health aide to the veteran's home or moving the veteran to a short-term VA respite facility. PCAFC caregivers also receive free mental health counseling through VA mental health services or a community provider in the VA Community Care Network. Travel costs to the veteran's VA medical appointments are reimbursed at the standard federal mileage rate, currently 67 cents per mile. To schedule respite, call your Caregiver Support Coordinator at least two weeks in advance. To start mental health care, ask the coordinator for a referral. Track your mileage in a small notebook in the car. The VA pays after the trip when you submit the log.

Quick Tip

Many caregivers feel guilty taking respite, but research shows caregivers who take regular breaks provide better care, stay healthier, and avoid burnout. Use your 30 days every year.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Program supports the family members and friends who care for disabled veterans at home. The program has two parts. The Program of Comprehensive Help for Family Caregivers, called PCAFC, pays a tax-free monthly stipend to a designated family caregiver and provides ongoing training, mental health counseling, respite care, and travel reimbursement. The Program of General Caregiver Support Services, called PGCSS, is open to caregivers of any enrolled veteran and offers free training, support groups, peer mentoring, and a 24-hour caregiver hotline at 1-855-260-3274.

As of May 2026, PCAFC monthly stipend amounts in most areas of the country are about $2,750 per month for a Tier 1 primary caregiver and about $4,400 per month for a Tier 2 primary caregiver. Tier 1 is for veterans who need help with some daily activities, and Tier 2 is for veterans who cannot live without near-constant supervision. The exact amount depends on the local hourly home health aide wage published by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics for your zip code. The stipend is paid by direct deposit to the caregiver's bank account, not to the veteran. The caregiver does not have to be a spouse. An adult child, parent, sibling, grandchild, or close friend can serve as the primary family caregiver.

In 2022, Congress expanded PCAFC to include veterans from every era of service. Before 2022, the program was limited to post-9/11 veterans. Today, a Vietnam veteran, a Korean War veteran, or any other senior veteran can have a family caregiver enrolled. To qualify, the veteran must have a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher, must need at least six months of personal care because of a service-connected condition, and must require help with at least three activities of daily living or have a serious cognitive condition like Alzheimer's, dementia, or severe traumatic brain injury.

The PCAFC application process is detailed but doable in a few weeks with steady effort. Free help is available from every VA medical center's Caregiver Support Coordinator, a paid VA employee whose only job is to walk caregivers through the program. There is no fee to apply and no fee for any part of the program. The benefit is in addition to any VA disability compensation the veteran already receives. The caregiver stipend does not reduce the veteran's check. The stipend is also tax-free under federal law, though some states may treat it as income. Check with a tax preparer if you live in California, New York, or another state with broader income definitions.

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Official Resources

USA.gov — Government Services SSA — Social Security Benefits.gov IRS Free File

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