This tool provides estimates for educational purposes only. We are not accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and do not file claims, provide legal advice, or represent veterans before the VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904). For official assistance, contact a VSO, CVSO, or VA-accredited attorney.
Caregiver Support (PCAFC)
Based on Caregiver Program authority at 38 U.S.C. § 1720G and the program regulations at 38 CFR Part 71, as expanded by the MISSION Act (Pub. L. 115-182). This page is a free community resource. We are not VA-accredited and do not file claims or provide legal advice (per 38 U.S.C. § 5904).
Last reviewed: April 2026 · Next review: October 2026
Maintained by: Veterans Benefits Navigator editorial team. Every citation links to a primary federal or state source. See editorial standards and our privacy posture.
Primary sources: 38 U.S.C. § 1720G (Caregiver Assistance), 38 CFR Part 71 (Caregiver Program), VA.gov family and caregiver benefits, VA Caregiver Support Program
VA supports family caregivers through two distinct programs authorized under 38 U.S.C. § 1720G[src]: the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which can include a monthly stipend, and the General Caregiver Support Program (PGCSS), which offers education and support to caregivers of any enrolled veteran.
What VA caregiver support is
Caregiver support at VA is not a single program. PCAFC is the stipend-eligible program for caregivers of veterans with a serious service-connected injury who need personal care services, and PGCSS is the universal education-and-support program available to caregivers of any enrolled veteran. Both programs are authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1720G[src] and implemented through the regulations at 38 CFR Part 71[src].
Who may be eligible (PCAFC)
PCAFC eligibility is evaluated jointly for the veteran and a proposed Primary Family Caregiver. Since the phased expansion under the MISSION Act (Pub. L. 115-182[src]), the program is open to caregivers of eligible veterans from all service eras, not only post-9/11.
Veteran criteria
The veteran must have a serious injury, including a serious illness , incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and must carry a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or more. The veteran must also be in need of personal care services for at least six continuous months, either because of an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living or because of a need for supervision, protection, or instruction due to a neurological or other impairment or injury.
Caregiver criteria
The proposed caregiver must be at least 18 years old and either a family member or someone who lives with the veteran full time (or will do so if designated). One Primary Family Caregiver may be designated per veteran; up to two Secondary Family Caregivers may also be designated to provide back-up care. The caregiver must complete required training and be assessed as able to provide the personal care services the veteran needs.
Two levels of need
PCAFC uses a two-tier structure. Level 1 applies when the veteran is unable to self-sustain in the community without caregiver assistance at the threshold set in 38 CFR Part 71, and Level 2 applies when the veteran generally requires continuous supervision. The monthly stipend to the Primary Family Caregiver is calculated from the federal General Schedule GS-04, step 1 annual locality rate , 62.5 percent of that reference rate at Level 1 and 100 percent at Level 2, and may be adjusted annually. Current stipend figures are published at the VA Caregiver Support Program[src] site rather than quoted here.
What may be available
Monthly stipend to the designated Primary Family Caregiver, tiered by Level 1 or Level 2 as described above. The stipend is not wages and does not create an employment relationship with VA.
CHAMPVA health coverage may be available to a Primary Family Caregiver who is not otherwise entitled to care or services under a health plan contract, under the authority at 38 U.S.C. § 1720G(a)(3)(A)(ii)(IV)[src].
Caregiver training and certificationtailored to the veteran's care needs, provided before designation and on an ongoing basis.
Respite care, generally at least 30 days per year of in-home or facility-based respite so the caregiver can rest, attend appointments, or handle other responsibilities.
Mental health counseling and access to peer support, along with financial and legal services related to the caregiver role.
Travel, lodging, and per diem when accompanying the veteran to VA-authorized appointments, subject to the beneficiary travel rules at 38 CFR Part 70[src].
How to apply
Application is a joint process between the veteran and the proposed Primary Family Caregiver on VA Form 10-10CG[src]. Up to two Secondary Family Caregivers may be listed on the same application. After the form is submitted, the VA Caregiver Support Program conducts a clinical review that includes an in-home assessment, interviews with the veteran and caregiver, and a review of the veteran's medical records. A written decision letter follows, and designations are recertified on a schedule set by the program.
The General Caregiver Support Program (PGCSS)
PGCSS is distinct from PCAFC and does not include a stipend. It also does not require a single qualifying injury, a 70 percent rating, or any specific service era. Any caregiver of a veteran enrolled in VA health care may access PGCSS, which provides caregiver education, telephone and online peer support, support groups, skills training, and the Building Better Caregivers online workshop. The VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 is the single point of entry for both PCAFC and PGCSS and can route callers to the Caregiver Support Coordinator at their local VA medical center.
What families frequently miss
PGCSS is available even when PCAFC is not.A caregiver can be turned down for PCAFC and still enroll in PGCSS for education, peer support, and respite-adjacent resources through the caregiver's local VA medical center.
CHAMPVA for the Primary Family Caregiver is an easy-to-miss piece of PCAFC. A primary caregiver who does not have other health coverage may be eligible for CHAMPVA through the caregiver program, separate from CHAMPVA for survivors and dependents.
Tier reductions on recertification. Since the MISSION Act expansion, a number of caregivers have been moved from Level 2 to Level 1, or discharged from the program, at reassessment. Clinical tier determinations and eligibility decisions have separate review paths, and a VA-accredited VSO or CVSO can represent the veteran and caregiver through those reviews.
Respite days do not generally carry forward. Respite care is offered on an annual basis, and unused days typically do not roll over into the next year, so planning respite across the year matters.
Other caregiver-adjacent programs. Aid and Attendance, authorized at 38 U.S.C. § 1521(d)[src] for pension-eligible veterans who need assistance with activities of daily living, is a separate benefit from PCAFC and may apply to veterans who do not meet PCAFC criteria.
Where to get help
The VA Caregiver Support Line[src] at 1-855-260-3274can explain both programs, take initial information, and route the call to the Caregiver Support Coordinator at the veteran's local VA medical center. Every VAMC has at least one coordinator dedicated to caregiver programs. For appeals of clinical or eligibility decisions, a VA-accredited VSO or CVSO can represent the veteran and caregiver at no cost.
This site is not VA-accredited and cannot file claims, provide legal advice, or represent veterans or caregivers before the VA. The information above is educational.