WASHINGTON, DC — On Wednesday the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will accept public comments for 15 days on how to implement certain changes to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, or PCAFC, required by the VA MISSION Act of 2018.

Through PCAFC, VA provides family caregivers of eligible veterans certain benefits, such as training; respite care; counseling; technical support; beneficiary travel (to attend required caregiver training and for an eligible veteran’s medical appointments); a monthly stipend payment; and access to health care (if qualified) through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs).

“VA values the knowledge, skill, and perspectives of all caregivers,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “This public comment period demonstrates our desire to create a program that best serves the participating caregivers and Veterans.”

The VA MISSION Act of 2018 expands eligibility for PCAFC to family caregivers of eligible Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty before Sept. 11, 2001 using a phased approach, establishes new benefits for designated primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans and makes other changes affecting program eligibility and VA’s evaluation of PCAFC applications.

Submitted responses will be used to guide future regulatory modifications and implementation of the expanded PCAFC.

More information about the VA Caregiver Support Program and a link to submit comments is available at www.caregiver.va.gov.