Caring for a Veteran Can Come With Resources for the Caregiver Too
When a Veteran needs ongoing care at home, family members often take on much of that responsibility.
That can mean managing appointments, preparing meals, supporting mobility, providing supervision or handling everyday personal needs.
What many families do not realize is that there is more than one VA caregiver program. Two important programs are:
- Program of General Caregiver Support Services, or PGCSS
- Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, or PCAFC
They serve different purposes and have different eligibility requirements. Understanding that distinction is a good place to start.
What Is the VA Caregiver Support Program?
The Caregiver Support Program provides resources for qualifying caregivers who provide personal care to Veterans. Depending on the program and eligibility, resources can include:
- Skills training
- Coaching
- Peer support
- Caregiver education
- Respite resources
- Mental health counseling
- Certain healthcare benefits
- A monthly stipend for qualifying Primary Family Caregivers
Not every caregiver qualifies for every benefit.
That is why it is important to understand the difference between general caregiver support and PCAFC.
What Is PGCSS?
The Program of General Caregiver Support Services is the broader caregiver-support program.
Under current requirements, the Veteran must be enrolled in VA health care and need personal care services because the Veteran is unable to perform an activity of daily living or requires supervision or protection because of an impairment or injury.
The caregiver must provide those personal care services.
PGCSS can provide access to training, workshops, coaching, peer support and respite resources.
Unlike PCAFC, participation in PGCSS does not require the same comprehensive application and eligibility process.
What Is PCAFC?
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers provides additional resources for qualifying Veterans and Family Caregivers who meet more specific requirements.
Current PCAFC criteria include several requirements for the Veteran. Among them, the Veteran must generally:
- Have a single or combined service-connected disability rating of at least 70%
- Be discharged from military service or have a date of medical discharge
- Need at least six continuous months of in-person personal care services
- Be enrolled in VA health care
Additional requirements apply.
This is one reason simply being a caregiver does not automatically establish PCAFC eligibility.
Who Can Be a Family Caregiver?
For PCAFC, a caregiver must generally be at least 18 years old. The caregiver may be:
- A spouse
- Son or daughter
- Parent
- Step-family member
- Extended family member
A person who is not a family member may also potentially qualify if that person lives full time with the Veteran or is willing to do so if designated as a Family Caregiver.
The Veteran and caregiver must satisfy the applicable program requirements.
What Does “Personal Care Services” Mean?
Caregiver eligibility is not simply based on whether a family member does things for a Veteran.
Programs look at the Veteran’s actual need for personal care. That may involve areas such as:
- Feeding
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Mobility
- Supervision
- Protection from safety risks
- Regular instruction or oversight necessary for daily functioning
For PCAFC, the need must satisfy the program’s specific criteria and generally be expected to continue for at least six months.
Does PCAFC Include a Monthly Caregiver Stipend?
Qualifying Primary Family Caregivers participating in PCAFC may receive a monthly stipend.
PCAFC can also provide additional supports. Depending on eligibility, these may include caregiver training, counseling, respite resources, beneficiary travel and certain health coverage through CHAMPVA for qualifying Primary Family Caregivers.
A caregiver should not assume that participation automatically creates eligibility for every available benefit.
PGCSS vs. PCAFC: What’s the Difference?
The simplest way to think about the programs is this:
PGCSS
Provides broader caregiver support and resources. It can include training, coaching, peer support, workshops and respite resources for qualifying caregivers.
PCAFC
Has more specific eligibility requirements and can provide additional benefits for qualifying Family Caregivers, including a monthly stipend for designated Primary Family Caregivers.
PCAFC also has a formal joint application and evaluation process.
Neither program should be confused with Aid and Attendance.
Caregiver Benefits vs. Aid and Attendance
This is one of the most important distinctions for families.
Caregiver programs provide resources or benefits connected to the person providing care.
Pension-based Aid and Attendance is an increased pension benefit that may apply to a qualifying Veteran or survivor who meets the applicable pension and care requirements.
They are different programs.
A Veteran can have care needs without every caregiver program applying, and a caregiver’s eligibility does not automatically mean the Veteran qualifies for Aid and Attendance.
Learn more in VA Aid and Attendance Benefits: Eligibility, Pension Rules, and How It Works.
This is exactly why Veteran benefits are easier to understand when they are viewed as separate programs rather than one large system.
Why a VA Disability Rating Can Matter for PCAFC
PCAFC is one of the programs where the Veteran’s service-connected disability rating is directly relevant.
Under current PCAFC requirements, the Veteran generally must have a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher, along with the program’s other eligibility requirements.
That does not mean a 70% rating automatically qualifies a Veteran or caregiver. It is one requirement among several.
Related VA Disability Resource: Veteran Ratings
If you are separately reviewing your VA disability rating or trying to better understand the VA disability benefits process, Advice for Veterans works with Veteran Ratings as a resource for general VA disability education and guidance.
Veteran Ratings focuses on VA disability benefits and service-connected conditions.
Important: Veteran Ratings does not determine eligibility for PCAFC, administer caregiver benefits, make VA decisions or guarantee a disability rating. Its current disclosures state that it is not affiliated with VA, is not an accredited VA claims agent, does not file claims on behalf of Veterans, and does not provide legal or medical advice.
What Should Caregivers Review?
If you provide ongoing care for a Veteran, it may be worth determining:
- Whether the Veteran is enrolled in VA health care
- What type of personal care the Veteran requires
- How long the care is expected to continue
- Whether PGCSS may apply
- Whether the Veteran and caregiver meet PCAFC requirements
- Whether other programs such as Aid and Attendance may be relevant separately
The programs are different, and eligibility is determined individually.
VA Caregiver Benefits FAQs
No. The monthly caregiver stipend is associated with qualifying Primary Family Caregivers in PCAFC. General caregiver support does not automatically include a stipend.
Current PCAFC rules generally require the Veteran to have a single or combined service-connected disability rating of at least 70%, along with several additional requirements.
No. Other qualifying relatives may serve as Family Caregivers, and in certain circumstances a non-relative who lives with the Veteran or is willing to do so may qualify.
No. PGCSS provides broader caregiver resources, while PCAFC has additional eligibility requirements and may provide expanded benefits to qualifying Family Caregivers.
Not exactly. Pension-based Aid and Attendance is an increased pension benefit for qualifying Veterans or survivors. It is separate from the Caregiver Support Program.
Certain qualifying Primary Family Caregivers may be eligible for CHAMPVA coverage if they meet the applicable requirements.
Disclaimer: Advice for Veterans provides general educational information only and does not provide legal, medical or individualized benefits advice. Caregiver-program and disability eligibility depend on individual circumstances and current program requirements. Veteran Ratings is a separate partner resource. Veteran Ratings is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, does not determine caregiver eligibility, does not make VA benefit decisions, does not file claims on behalf of Veterans and does not guarantee outcomes.