Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

PCAFC - Monthly Stipend for Primary Family Caregivers

PCAFC Monthly Stipend

VA offers a number of benefits through PCAFC to support Family Caregivers, including a monthly stipend to Primary Family Caregivers. Primary Family Caregivers will receive a monthly stipend for each month’s participation as a Primary Family Caregiver.

Stipend Eligibility

Who qualifies: A Veteran or Service member may be eligible for a Family Caregiver if all of the following requirements are met:

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.
  •For purposes of PCAFC, serious injury means any service-connected disability that: (1) Is rated at 70 percent or more by VA; or (2) Is combined with any other service-connected disability or disabilities, and a combined rating of 70 percent or more is assigned by VA.
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;
  •A need for supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury; or
  •A need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which the ability of the Veteran to function in daily life would be seriously impaired.
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.

Monthly Stipend Rate

VA bases stipend payments on the definition of “monthly stipend rate,” which means the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) General Schedule (GS) Annual Rate for grade 4, step 1, based on the locality pay area in  which the eligible Veteran resides, divided by 12.

Stipend Payment: Tier Levels

The amount of the monthly stipend the Primary Family Caregiver is eligible to receive, is determined based on information gathered during VA’s evaluation of the Veteran’s personal care needs. 

• Level One: The Primary Family Caregiver’s monthly stipend is calculated by multiplying the monthlystipend rate (OPM GS Annual Rate for grade 4, step 1, based on the locality pay area in which the eligible Veteran resides) divided by 12, multiplied by 0.625.
• Level Two: If VA determines the eligible Veteran meets the definition of “unable to self- sustain in the community” for the purposes of PCAFC, the designated Primary Family Caregiver’s monthly stipend is calculated by multiplying the monthly stipend rate (OPM GS Annual Rate for grade 4, step 1, based on the locality pay area in which the eligible Veteran resides) divided by 12 multiplied by 1.00

Payment Method

You must be enrolled in direct deposit using the VA customer engagement portal to get your monthly stipend. 
• Learn how to set up direct deposit as a caregiver
• Go to the customer engagement portal

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