Dandridge: Caregivers of seriously disabled veterans should enroll in PCAFC, Part 2

Family members caring for seriously disabled veterans at home miss out on up to $48k per year

Editor’s note: This article is the second in a series of three.

By Larry Dandirdge

Last week’s article informed veterans and their family members that:

  •  The VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP), which consists of the two programs (1) The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) Program that does not pay the caregiver any money and (2) The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which may pay spouses or other immediate family members for caring for their veteran.
  •  I wrote three articles in November on this subject for The Island News, but so many family members and veterans are not taking advantage of the PGCSS and the PCAFC Programs, I need to write more.
  •  If you are the primary caregiver of a 70% service-connected or seriously injured veteran and are the spouse, parent, son, daughter, stepfamily member, extended family member, or someone who lives full-time with the veteran, you should apply for the VA’s PCAFC Program.
  •  Within PCAFC, a serious injury is a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or more and include serious illness, in the line of duty. A serious injury (or serious illness) is a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or more.
  •  The CSP’s two programs are separate from VA disability compensation, which is explained at the VA’s webpage “VA Disability Compensation”
  •  They can learn more about PCAFC here or by watching this PCAFC overview video.
  •  Learn more about Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Caregiver Support
  •  The Columbia VA Health Care System Caregiver Support Program Coordinator is phone number is 803-695-6777.
  •  The VA Durham N.C. “Caregiver Support” webpage is https://bit.ly/4e3nHDz and the phone number is 919-286-0411, Ext. 176068.
  •  The VA (National) Caregiver Support Line Phone number is 855-260-3274.

According to the VA’s Caregiver Support Program” webpage veterans may be eligible for the program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) clinical Program if they:

Sustained or aggravated a serious injury (or illness) in the line of duty in the active military, naval or air service during any service era. Among other applicable eligibility criteria, an eligible Veteran must:

  1.  Have a single or combined service-connected disability rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of 70% or more, and
  2.  Need personal care services (requiring in-person personal care services) for a minimum of six continuous months based on any one of the following:
    • An inability to perform an activity of daily living.
    • A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury; or
    • A need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which the ability of the Veteran to function in daily life would be seriously impaired. 

For more information on PCAFC, please see the Fact Sheets below.

PCAFC expansion Fact Sheets
More Resources

How do I apply for this program? 

With the help of a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer, follow the instructions found here:
Apply for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

To find your local CSP Team, you can:

— Use the CSP Team Locator Tool at “Caregiver Support Teams” at https://bit.ly/4BsuUH5; or

— Contact the Caregiver Support Line (See https://bit.ly/3UJOka5) at 855-260-3274.

Do not send medical records along with the application

The VA will follow up after the application is received. If you need assistance with completing the application or would like to check the status of your 1010CG application please call 1-855-260-3274 and ask your VA-accredited VSO for help.

What services does this program offer?

Veterans can designate one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers on the application. Secondary Family Caregivers serve as a backup support to the Primary Family Caregiver when needed. Services will depend on whether you are the Primary Family Caregiver or a Secondary Family Caregiver.

If you are the primary caregiver, you may receive:

  •  A monthly stipend (paid directly to you as the caregiver.)
  •  Access to health care insurance through Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) if you do not already have health insurance.
  •  Mental health counseling.
  •  Certain beneficiary travel benefits when traveling with the Veteran to appointments. For specific details, please contact your CSP Team.
  •  At least 30 days of respite care per year, for the Veteran. Respite is short term relief for someone else to care for the Veteran while you take a break.

If you are the secondary caregiver, you may receive:

Be sure to check www.caregiver.va.gov for updates or subscribe at https://bit.ly/4i5keXw to receive email updates and information about VA Caregiver Support Program services.

Continued next week.

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, a combat and 100% service-connected disabled veteran, an ex-Enlisted Infantryman, an ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and a retired Lt. Colonel. He is a former Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA and Durham VA Medical Centers, a Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the Veteran Benefits Advisor for the AUSA Coastal Carolina Chapter, MOPH Chapter, MOAA Triangle Chapter, and VFW Post 7383. Larry is also the author of the award-winning “Blades of Thunder (Book One)” and a contributing freelance writer with The Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.