Press Release from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
WASHINGTON,D.C. (USDVA) - On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 the Department of Veterans Affairs submitted to the Federal Register an interim final rule that will extend Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers eligibility for certain Veterans and their family caregivers through Sept. 30, 2025.
Specifically, this new rule will extend program eligibility for legacy participants, legacy applicants and their family caregivers, by three years. A legacy participant is a Veteran or servicemember who was participating in PCAFC as of Sept. 30, 2020, and a legacy applicant is a Veteran or servicemember who applied for PCAFC before Oct. 1, 2020, and was accepted into the program on or after Oct. 1, 2020.
“We will stop at nothing to make sure Veterans and their caregivers get the support they need and deserve, and this extension is a key part of that effort,” said VA Deputy Secretary Donald M. Remy. “As I’ve said before, trust is earned, it’s not given. We hope we can earn the trust of Veterans and caregivers through our continued efforts.”
“This extension allows us to continue supporting this cohort of Veterans and caregivers, while VA separately conducts program improvement initiatives aimed at ensuring the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers addresses the unique needs of Veterans of all eras and their caregivers,” said VA Caregiver Support Program Executive Director Colleen M. Richardson, Psy.D. “Moving forward, we will continue to examine ways to improve this program and make sure it delivers for Veterans and their caregivers.”
PCAFC is a key part of VA’s Caregiver Support Program. PCAFC offers enhanced clinical support for family caregivers of eligible Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975, or on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and meet other eligibility criteria. Benefits under PCAFC include education and training, respite care, counseling, technical support, a monthly stipend and access to health care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs and certain travel expenses. VA is on track to expand PCAFC eligibility to include eligible Veterans of all service eras effective Oct. 1, 2022. More information about this program can be found here.
For any questions about caregiver support or the PCAFC, please contact local VA facility Caregiver Support Program teams or the Caregiver Support Line (toll-free at 855-260-3274). Find your Caregiver Support team using the facility locator.