How Much is the Monthly Stipend for a VA Caregiver?

Caring for a veteran with a serious disability is a full-time responsibility for many families. Caregivers often assist with everyday tasks like getting dressed, preparing meals, managing medications, and driving to medical appointments. Some also provide more advanced care, such as administering injections or helping with physical therapy. 

The VA Caregiver Program provides valuable benefits to many qualifying caregivers of veterans. This article explains how to calculate the monthly stipend for a VA caregiver, who qualifies, how to apply, and what other benefits are available through the program.

What is the VA caregiver program?

The VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) includes two separate components designed to support caregivers in different ways.

• The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) is available to caregivers of veterans enrolled in VA health care. This program provides caregiver education, training, peer support, mental health resources, and help navigating other available VA services. However, it does not provide a monthly stipend. Anyone can be a general caregiver.
• The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is available to eligible caregivers of veterans with service-connected disabilities. In addition to training and support, this program may also provide a monthly stipend, respite care, health insurance, and other caregiver benefits. 

In this article, we will primarily focus on the VA’s PCAFC program.

VA PCAFC eligibility requirements

To qualify for PCAFC, both the veteran and caregiver must meet the VA’s eligibility requirements. 

In general, veterans can qualify if they:

• Have a VA disability rating of 70% or higher, AND

• Have been discharged from the U.S. military or have a medical discharge date, AND
• Need at least six months of continuous, in-person personal care services, AND
• Are enrolled in VA health care

To qualify as a caregiver under this program, the caregiver must:

• Be at least 18 years old, AND
• Be the spouse, child, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member of the veteran, OR
• Live full time with the veteran or be willing to live full time with the veteran if designated as the family caregiver

Applying for the PCAFC program

Applying for PCAFC requires a formal application process. The veteran and caregiver must apply for this program together using VA Form 10-10CG. The application can be completed online, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center. The full application process includes ten steps, as follows:

1. The veteran and caregiver submit VA Form 10-10CG.
2. A member of the local caregiver support (CSP) team determines whether the veteran and caregiver meet the eligibility requirements.
3. The veteran completes a clinical assessment with the local CSP team.
4. The veteran completes a functional assessment with a CSP Clinical Assessor.
5. The caregiver completes a clinical assessment with the local CSP team.
6. The CSP Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team reviews the application.
7. The caregiver completes the required training.
8. The veteran and caregiver complete a home-care assessment with a CSP Clinical Assessor.
9. The CSP Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team completes a final review of the application.
10.  The veteran and caregiver receive the VA’s decision from the CSP team.

This process is generally completed within 90 days after the VA receives the application.

Applying for the PGCSS caregiver program

There is no formal application process for general caregivers to join PGCSS. If you wish to take advantage of this program, you will need to reach out to your local CSP team/caregiver support coordinator and complete an intake with them. 

It’s important to note that the veteran will need to agree to you being their caretaker, as you will be listed on their healthcare record. After completing your intake with a caregiver support coordinator, you can begin using the services offered through the program.

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Monthly stipends for VA caregivers

Caregivers approved for PCAFC receive a monthly stipend to help compensate for the time and responsibility of caring for a veteran. 

The VA assigns caregivers to one of two payment levels based on how much care the veteran needs.

• Level one: The veteran needs regular in-person personal care services but does not meet the VA’s criteria for the highest level of care.
• Level two: The veteran requires such extensive care that they cannot safely live in the community without continuous assistance from a caregiver.

After determining the appropriate level, the VA calculates the stipend using the General Schedule (GS) locality pay, which is a geographic percentage added to a federal employee’s base salary.

The VA uses the GS-4 Step 1 pay rate for the area where the veteran lives. Level one caregivers receive 62.5% of that monthly pay rate, while level two caregivers receive 100%.

For example, in 2026, the GS-4 Step 1 annual pay rate for the Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, Indiana locality pay area is $36,748.

• In this location, a level one caregiver would receive approximately $1,913.96 per month.
  • ($36,748 ÷ 12) × 62.5% = $1,913.96
• In the same location, a level two caregiver would receive approximately $3,062.33 per month.
  • $36,748 ÷ 12 = $3,062.33

VA caregiver program vs. Aid and Attendance

Aid and Attendance is a VA benefit for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses who need assistance with daily activities. The main difference between these two programs is who receives the benefit. PCAFC provides qualifying caregivers with a monthly stipend and other resources to support them in their caregiving role, while Aid and Attendance provides additional monthly payments directly to the veteran or surviving spouse. 

Other benefits for veterans who need home care

Veterans who need home care may qualify for additional VA benefits and services beyond PCAFC. These programs include:

• Home health aide services to assist with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and other daily activities
• Skilled home-based primary care for veterans who need medical services at home
• Physical therapy and other rehabilitation services
• Adult day health care programs
• Respite care to give family caregivers temporary relief
• Telehealth, home care supplies, medical equipment, and, home modification benefits
• Long-term care options, including nursing homes, community residential care, medical foster homes, adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and TBI residential rehabilitation

How Woods & Woods can help

Our TDIU lawyers have helped thousands of veterans nationwide who can no longer work because of their service-connected conditions. Call us today for your free, confidential TDIU case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we win your claim.

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