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Can I Provide Home Care for My Veteran Father?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
You can provide home care for your veteran father or any family member who has served in the military. The Veterans’ Administration (VA) offers the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which pays a monthly stipend, health care benefits and respite care for eligible family caregivers of veterans.
Do I Qualify for Caregiver Benefits Through PCAFC?
You qualify for caregiver benefits through PCAFC if you live or are willing to live with and care for a veteran full-time, including providing supervision, protection, health support and help with housekeeping and other daily activities. Additionally, you qualify to receive the stipend and other benefits if you are the veteran’s spouse, parent, adult child, stepfamily member or extended family member.
PCAFC offers this program for the families of veterans from all eras of service. The veteran must require at least six months of continuous, personal care services, have a military discharge or medical discharge date and receive an individual or combined disability rating of 70% or higher from the VA.
How Do Family Caregivers Apply for VeteranBenefits?
The veteran and the family caregiver apply for veteran benefits together by completing Form 10-10CG. Fill it out online or print a copy and submit it to the Caregiver Support Coordinator at your local VA medical center. After the VA receives your application, someone will follow up to request medical records and other supporting documentation. PCAFC allows the veteran to have one primary family caregiver and two secondary caregivers who assist the backup caregiver when necessary.
What Other Family Caregiver Benefits Does PCAFC Provide?
PCAFC provides several other family caregiver benefits in addition to the stipend, including health care coverage through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, mental health counseling and caregiver training and support. The program also provides 30 days of respite care for the veteran and the primary caregiver.