VA outpatient clinic in Grand Forks, ND. Image: Ken Wolter/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of a VA decision changing eligibility for its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which offers enhanced clinical support for family caregivers of eligible Veterans. Last fall the VA opened up the program to veterans of all eras, but tightened eligibility requirements.
The change caused many program participants to be notified they would lose their benefits, and spurred at least one lawsuit: Veteran Warriors, Inc., et. al. v. McDonough. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in the VA’s favor, and SCOTUS has declined the appeal.
Veterans and caregivers who have been in the PCAFC since before Oct. 1, 2020 continue to be eligible for applicable benefits through Sept. 30, 2025. “During this time, VA will not discharge or decrease any support to legacy participants, legacy applicants and their family caregivers, based on reassessment, to include monthly stipends paid to primary family caregivers,” VA announced last September.
In the meantime, VA plans to continue assessing the needs of beneficiaries who fall into any of these categories. Primary caregivers who are eligible for increases in their monthly stipend will get it. Caregivers who wish to challenge any adverse decisions in this regard can do so through the regular review process.
Eligibility requirements for the family caregiver
You must be at least 18 years old. And at least 1 of these must be true for you:
You’re a spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member of the Veteran, or
You live full time with the Veteran, or you’re willing to live full time with the Veteran if we designate you as a family caregiver
Eligibility requirements for the Veteran
All of these must be true for the Veteran you’re caring for:
The Veteran has a VA disability rating (individual or combined) of 70% or higher, and
The Veteran was discharged from the U.S. military or has a date of medical discharge, and
The Veteran needs at least 6 months of continuous, in-person personal care services
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