Editor’s note: This article is the first in a series of three.
Caregivers of seriously disabled veterans should enroll in PCAFC
By Larry Dandridge
This is the first article in a series of three on the VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP), which consists of the following two Programs:
- The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) and
- The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
The first two articles in this series will concentrate on the VA’s PCAFC Program. VA PCAFC provides education, support, resources, respite, mental health counseling, a FINANCIAL STIPEND, health insurance if eligible, and beneficiary travel if eligible. Local VA CCSP Teams at VA facilities can also connect PCAFC participants (veterans and caregivers) to local resources in the community.
Attention family care givers
You especially may want to re-read those November 2025 articles and the VA webpage titled “VA Caregiver Support Program – (Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)” at https://bit.ly/4ierH5p, 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.
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 serios illness) is a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or more.
The VA’s Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS). PGCSS provides training, coaching, peer support, respite options, and other resources for caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care. It requires no formal application — caregivers enroll through their local VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) team, and the Veteran must consent to receive care from the caregiver. Learn more about PGCSS at the VA webpage “The Program of General Caregiver Support Services” https://bit.ly/4yshM23.”
PGCSS one of two VA Caregiver Support Programs
PGCSS is one of the two programs under the VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP). It offers non-financial support services to “General Caregivers” — anyone providing personal care services to a Veteran enrolled in VA health care. Caregivers DO NOT need to be relatives or live with the Veteran. If you need help with this program call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 (TTY: 711), M-F 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Time. There are no stipends paid by the PGCSS Program. More on PGCSS in article 2 of this series.
VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
The VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) pays family members approximately $2,000.00 to $4,000.00 per month tax free to care for disabled veterans at home. Caregivers also get health insurance, 30 days of respite care per year, and mental health counseling. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 created the PCAFC Program and it originally covered only post 9/11 veterans. The MISSION Act of 2018 expanded it to veterans of all service eras.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offers enhanced clinical support for Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans. Veterans may be eligible for this 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. PCAFC provides additional clinical support services to caregivers of eligible Veterans who are seriously injured or ill. This program does require an application, and caregivers and Veterans must meet specific criteria. Learn more about PCAFC by visiting https://www.caregiver.va.gov and by watching the PCAFC Overview Video at https://bit.ly/4hUZphp.
Important update impacting the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
PCAFC VA has published a final rule which extends the transition period of legacy participants, legacy applicants, and their Family Caregivers (the legacy cohort), through Sept. 30, 2028. This means legacy participants, legacy applicants, and their Family Caregivers will remain eligible for PCAFC and will not experience a decrease in the monthly stipend amount based on a reassessment for the duration of the transition period (certain exceptions apply).
Additional resources
A link to the final rule is https://bit.ly/4dRyoc9.
If you have questions about this final rule, or to learn more about supports and services available to Veterans and their caregivers, contact your local VA Caregiver Support Team through the instructions at the VA “Caregiver Support Teams” webpage at https://bit.ly/4zINqJU
You can also reach out to the Caregiver Support Line Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm ET at 1-855-260-3274.
The Charleston, S.C. Ralph H. Johnson VA (RHJVA) Medical Center “Caregiver Support” webpage is https://bit.ly/4dJ9knO.
VA Charleston health care offers a number of services to support you and the Veteran you care for. Ask a caregiver support coordinator to help you find what you need, whether it is in-home help, someone to listen, or anything in between.
Benjamin Marks is the RHJVA Medical Center and Healthcare System Caregiver Support Manager, and his phone number is 855-260-3274.
Shanell Manson is the PGCSS Coordinator, at the RHJVA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, and her phone number is Phone: 843-577-5011, Extension 424541.
The Columbia, S.C. VA Health Care System Caregiver Support Program Coordinator is phone number is 803-695-6777.
The VA (National) Caregiver Support Line Phone number is 855-260-3274.
The VA Durham NC “Caregiver Support” webpage is https://bit.ly/4yugqnu.
Durham VA Health Care System offers a number of services to support care givers and the Veterans they care for. Ask a caregiver support coordinator to help you find what you need. I
f you have questions about the Durham VA Caregiver Support Program, contact the Caregiver Support Office at 919-286-0411 Extension: 176068.
PCAFC is separate from VA Service-Connected Disability Compensation
The program is separate from VA disability compensation, which is explained at the VA’s webpage “VA Disability Compensation” https://www.va.gov/disability/.” The veteran’s VA disability pay stays the same. The caregiver stipend is an additional benefit paid directly to the person providing care.
In FY2025, the program served approximately 98,000 caregivers with a budget of $2.6 billion. The VA receives about 8,000 new applications for PCAFC per month.
This is the first article in a series of three. The series will continue next week.
Previous The Island News articles may help
In November of 2025, I wrote a series of three articles on The VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). You may want to read those Nov.12, 19, and 26, 2025 articles and the VA webpages referenced in those articles in The Island News archives at:
- The VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers– Part 1
- The VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers – Part 2
- The VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers – Part 3
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.
