U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offers enhanced clinical support for caregivers of eligible Veterans who are seriously injured. These changes are based on the new “Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) Improvements and Amendments under the VA MISSION Act of 2018” Final

Rule, RIN 2900-AQ48, effective October 1, 2020.

These changes include:

• Expanding eligibility for the PCAFC
• Offering legal and financial services for designated Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans in 2021
• Making other changes affecting program eligibility and

           VA’s evaluation of PCAFC applications

Who qualifies: Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury (including a serious illness) in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service on or after September 11, 2001, or on or before May 7, 1975.

Veteran Eligibility Requirements:

The Veteran must have a serious injury, which is a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or more, and meet the following eligibility requirements to participate in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers:

1. The individual is either:

           • A Veteran; or

           • A member of the Armed Forces undergoing a medical

              discharge from the Armed Forces.

2. The individual has a serious injury (including serious

            illness) incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in

            the active military, naval, or air service:

            • On or after September 11, 2001; or

            • Effective on the date specified in a future Federal

                  Register document, on or before May 7, 1975; or

            • Effective two years after the date specified in a future

                 Federal Register document, after May 7, 1975 and

                 before September 11, 2001.

3. The individual is in need of in-person personal

           care services for a minimum of six (6) continuous

           months based on any one of the following:

          • An inability to perform an activity of daily living; or

          • A need for supervision, protection, or instruction.

4. It is in the best interest of the individual to participate

            in the program.   

5. Personal care services that would be provided by

          the Family Caregiver will not be simultaneously and

          regularly provided by or through another individual

          or entity.

6. The individual receives care at home or will do so if

           VA designates a Family Caregiver.

7. The individual receives ongoing care from

          a Primary Care Team or will do so if VA designates a Family Caregiver.   

For more information on this program contact the VA Caregiver Support Coordinator at 713-791-1414 ext. 28634 or log on to www.caregiver.va.gov/support.

For more information on VA & State benefits contact Montgomery County Veterans Service at 936-539-7842 or via email at [email protected], and follow us on Facebook at Montgomery County Veterans Service.

Let’s all remember our Veterans and celebrate them on November 11^th!!!

Thank you is not enough, but know we appreciate you immensely.