Are you and your family caring for a severely disabled Post 9/11 war veteran?

You may be eligible for many benefits to help you.

The VA Family Caregiver Program

Family Caregivers provide crucial support in caring for Veterans. VA recognizes that Family Caregivers in a home environment can enhance the health and well-being of Veterans under VA care.

Under the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010," additional VA services are now available to seriously injured post-9/11 Veterans and their Family Caregivers through a new program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. VA is now accepting applications for these services.

Who Is Eligible?

Veterans eligible for this program are those who sustained a serious injury – including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma or other mental disorder – incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, on or after September 11, 2001.

Veterans eligible for this program must also be in need of personal care services because of an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living and/or need supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment or injury.

To be eligible for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, Veterans must first be enrolled for VA health services, if not enrolled previously.

New Services Available to Family Caregivers through this Program...The new law will provide additional assistance to primary Family Caregivers of eligible post-9/11 Veterans and Servicemembers.

New services for this group include:
* Monthly stipend
* Travel expenses (including lodging and per diem while accompanying Veterans undergoing care)
* Access to health care insurance (if the Caregiver is not already entitled to care or services under a health care plan)
* Mental health services and counseling
* Comprehensive VA Caregiver training provided by Easter Seals
* Respite care (not less than 30 days per year)

Programs and Services Offered

• In-Home and Community Based Care:  Skilled home health care, homemaker/home health aide services, community adult day health care and Home Based Primary Care.
• Respite Care:  Designed to relieve the family caregiver from the constant burden of caring for a chronically ill or disabled Veteran at home.  Services can include in-home care, a short stay in an institutional setting or adult day health care.
• Caregiver Education and Training Programs:  VA currently provides multiple training opportunities which include pre-discharge care instruction and specialized caregiver programs in multiple severe traumas such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders, and Blind Rehabilitation.  VA has a caregiver assistance healthy living center on My HealtheVet, as well as caregiver information on the VA's main web page health site; both Web sites include information on VA and community resources and caregiver health and wellness.
• Family Support Services:  These support groups can be face-to-face or on the telephone.  They include family counseling, spiritual and pastoral care, family leisure and recreational activities and temporary lodging in Fisher Houses.
• Other Benefits:  VA provides durable medical equipment and prosthetic and sensory aides to improve function, financial assistance with home modification to improve access and mobility, and transportation assistance for some Veterans to and from medical appointments.

As with all VA services and benefits, there is a pre-screening checklist to help you determine if you are eligible for the Family Caregiver's Benefit.  You will Answer a few questions to find out if you meet the criteria for VA's new program for certain Veterans needing the assistance of a caregiver.  Based on your answers to the questions, you will be guided to complete the appropriate form for VA benefits.

Click here for the Caregiver Eligibility Checklist

Contact the Caregiver support line 1-855-260-3274 for any questions or concerns.

Click the Link:  The Family Caregivers pages at the VA web site.

New and Enhanced VA Benefits Provided to Caregivers of Veterans
New VA Support Line Provides Important Assistance to Caregivers

VA’s Caregiver Support Program Expanding  

VA Support Program Expanding to More Veterans, Spouses

Has VA denied your application for caregiver benefits?

You may want to speak with a veterans lawyer.  Click here to view a list of attorneys who work on veterans claims.