Program
VA pay and support for family caregivers
VA support, and for some families a monthly stipend, for the person caring for a seriously disabled veteran.
What it can pay for
- caregiver pay
- respite care
- a home care aide
- Official name
- VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
- Where
- Nationwide
- Status
- Program running
- Most it pays
- $3,793 monthly
- About the amount
- 2026 monthly stipend for the Primary Family Caregiver = GS-4 Step 1 (veteran's locality) divided by 12, times 0.625 (Level 1) or 1.00 (Level 2, 'unable to self-sustain'). 2026 examples: Rest-of-US $1,896.30/$3,034.08; Dallas-Fort Worth $2,061.56/$3,298.50; SF Bay Area $2,370.63/$3,793.00. PGCSS pays no stipend, just services plus at least 30 days of respite/year.
- Housing rules
- Care must be in-person; a veteran institutionalized 90+ days triggers discharge from PCAFC.
- How long it takes
- Designation decision no later than 90 days after VA receives the application; wellness contacts at least every 120 days, plus 1 annual home visit.
- How to apply
- File VA Form 10-10CG, signed jointly by the veteran and the caregiver; online, by mail to 10-10CG Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 5154, Janesville, WI 53547-5154, or hand-delivered to the Caregiver Support team at the nearest VA medical center.
- Does not pay for
- Doesn't pay agencies, assisted living, or home modifications; no back pay for care given before approval.
- Official source
- caregiver.va.gov
- Last checked
- January 1, 2026