VA is resuming full operations of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The resumption follows an April 17 decision to temporarily suspend certain clinical revocations from the program to conduct a strategic review aimed at strengthening the program.

“VA has taken immediate steps to improve the program’s operations,” said VA Secretary David J. Shulkin. M.D. “Our top focus during the review has been to listen, evaluate and act swiftly to make changes that will better meet the needs of our Veterans and caregivers. This does not mean our work is done. We will continue to refine and improve this important program.”

VA’s three-month review indicated a need for better communication about clinical revocations, improved internal processes and procedures, and additional staff training.

Following the review, VA issued a new directive outlining staff responsibilities, Veteran and caregiver eligibility requirements, available benefits and procedures for revocations from the program.

VA also conducted mandatory staff training on the new directive and implemented standardized communications and outreach materials to educate Veterans and caregivers about the program.

Additionally, the VA will be formalizing additional ways to ensure that the experience of Veterans’ families, caregivers and survivors are understood and that, where needed, new, or additional, assistance is explored. The VA is committed to listening to the voices of those who care for Veterans of all eras and to collaborating to improve services, outreach and awareness.

The caregiver program website has also been redesigned, and now includes a section linking caregivers and Veterans of all ages to resources and home- and community-based services available through VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care programs.

More information on the program is available at www.caregiver.va.gov.

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

4 Comments

  1. Kathleen Brown August 6, 2017 at 09:37

    Caregivers of widowed veterans need to be paid more as their care is the same as the veteran. Expenses are still the same. Live does not get less expensive because one is missing.

  2. Diann kemp August 5, 2017 at 01:53

    When will we take care of the caregivers? When the veteran dies his compensation stops now after getting all the paperwork she must try to pay the bills while waits months and months to see if she will get a reduced compensation of about a third of the former compensation. If a veteran is getting compensation don’t they have all the paperwork needed?Except for maybe the marriage certificate which could be faxed to them and then the reduced check could be seemlessly sent.also 10 years at 100 percent does anyone think that’s fair how about 5 or 6 years. Think of what the caregiver has given up taking care of her soldier,it terms of work ,day to day care,etc…how about the women that’s taken 9 years of her life and then he dies and she gets nothing is that fair……think of the money she has saved the va in doing her caregiving…..

  3. Donna O'Neil August 4, 2017 at 13:44

    Caregivers, properly supported can save many thousands of dollars by delivering quality loving care to sick veterans in their homes.
    My husband, a 100% SR pre 9-11 veteran has been cared for at home with three major life changing acquired illnesses; cancer, Parkinson’s and cardiac condition.
    I retired without pension from my work to be at home full time to care for him. The stress for me has resulted in frequent occurring migraines which onset during this caregiving time.

    What can I look for for support?

  4. Ron Marcotte August 4, 2017 at 13:43

    The caregiver joke for the VA. In Las Vegas they won’t hire qualified people. The ones they have can’t and won’t do the job but that one company keeps their contact for doing a bad job . Because Madona is to lazy to find qualified people that can do the job. So then your forced to
    File for aid and attendance that you get turned down for without a C and P physical. So your left with no help and you beg Vegas for help and their normal response if you can find someone who cares enough to talk to you says sorry we are not here to help veterans we’re here to get paid our illegal bonuses for not giving veterans what they need because we save VA more money.

Comments are closed.

More Stories