PRESS RELEASE
Wilmington , DE — Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced its intent to expand access to its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
This will provide family caregivers of eligible Veterans access to services and supports, including training and education, financial assistance, health care coverage, beneficiary travel, peer support, and more. The program is an essential part of VA health care, ensuring that family caregivers of eligible Veterans get the comprehensive support they need.
Through the proposed rule, VA seeks to expand and clarify access to the program; reassess eligibility less frequently, reducing burden on Veterans and caregivers; and expand access to telehealth home visits in case of emergencies. The new eligibility criteria are more expansive, meaning that thousands more Veterans and their caregivers will be able to access the program.
VA and the Biden-Harris Administration are committed to ensuring every Veteran gets the care, benefits, and support they deserve, including support for their caregivers — a commitment that is a key pillar of President Biden’s Unity Agenda for the nation. VA currently provides services, resources, and assistance to a record 89,700 caregivers participating in either PCAFC or the Program of General Caregiver Support Services . This proposed rule marks a significant step in VA’s comprehensive efforts to ensure the needs of participating Veterans and their family caregivers are met.
“We understand the critical role that family caregivers play in supporting the health and wellbeing of Veterans, which is why VA is committed to ensuring our programs are meeting the needs of Veterans and their caregivers,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough . “These proposed changes would expand the program to tens of thousands of Veterans and their family caregivers — ensuring we can provide these caregivers with the respite care, education, support, and resources they need to care for their Veteran.”
The proposed changes to the program include: Expanded eligibility: This proposed rule would expand certain PCAFC eligibility criteria to include a more expansive definition of “serious injury.” This proposal would include Veterans who meet the criteria for “ individual unemployability ” as those suffering from a “serious […]
VA proposes rule to expand access to its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
