PCAFC Explained

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers pays a monthly stipend to the person providing personal care to a seriously injured or ill veteran, and gives them a package of support in their own right.

How the stipend is calculated. It is not a flat rate. VA takes the OPM General Schedule annual rate for grade GS-4, step 1, for the locality pay area where the veteran lives, divides it by 12, and multiplies by the level:

  • Level 1 — multiply by 0.625
  • Level 2 — multiply by 1.00, where VA determines the veteran is "unable to self-sustain in the community"

Two consequences follow from that formula. The stipend rises when federal pay rises, so it is not eroded by inflation the way a fixed figure would be. And it varies by where the veteran lives, sometimes considerably, because GS locality pay does.

What the Primary Family Caregiver gets besides the stipend:

  • CHAMPVA health insurance, if they are not covered elsewhere
  • at least 30 days of respite care a year for the veteran
  • caregiver education and training
  • mental health counseling, including telehealth
  • legal and financial planning assistance
  • commissary and exchange access
  • travel benefits when accompanying the veteran

There can be one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers. Secondaries get the education, training, counseling and travel benefits, but no stipend.

Who is eligible?

The veteran must meet all of:

  • a VA disability rating, individual or combined, of 70% or higher
  • discharged from the US military, or have a medical discharge date
  • need at least six months of continuous, in-person personal care
  • be enrolled in VA health care

The caregiver must be 18 or older and either be the veteran's spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member or extended family member, or live full time with the veteran, or be willing to.

That last clause is broader than most people read it. A caregiver who is not a relative at all can qualify by living with the veteran full time.

The 70% threshold is the gate that stops most applications, and it is a reason to make sure a rating is right before assuming PCAFC is out of reach — an under-rated condition or an unclaimed secondary can be the difference. The stipend also goes to the caregiver, not the veteran, which matters for household budgeting and for how the money is treated.

How do I apply?

  • Check the veteran's combined rating is 70% or higher: That is the hard gate. Combined counts, not just a single condition.
  • Apply jointly on VA Form 10-10CG: The veteran and the caregiver apply together, online or by mail.
  • Nominate secondaries as well: Up to two, and they get training, counseling and travel benefits.
  • Ask about CHAMPVA if the caregiver has no cover: It comes with the Primary Family Caregiver designation.
  • Use the 30 days of respite: It is part of the benefit, not a favor.
  • Check the veteran's locality pay area: The stipend is based on GS-4 step 1 for where the veteran lives, so it varies by location.

Common questions

How much is the VA caregiver stipend?

It is the OPM GS-4 step 1 annual rate for the locality where the veteran lives, divided by 12, then multiplied by 0.625 at Level 1 or 1.00 at Level 2. There is no single national figure — it varies by location and rises with federal pay.

What disability rating do you need for PCAFC?

A VA disability rating, individual or combined, of 70% or higher, plus enrollment in VA health care and a need for at least six months of continuous in-person personal care.

Who can be a family caregiver under PCAFC?

Anyone 18 or over who is the veteran's spouse, child, parent, stepfamily or extended family member — or who lives full time with the veteran, or is willing to, even if not related.

What does Level 2 of the caregiver stipend mean?

VA has determined the veteran is unable to self-sustain in the community, which pays 1.00 of the monthly rate rather than 0.625.

What does a primary family caregiver get besides money?

CHAMPVA health insurance if not covered elsewhere, at least 30 days of respite care a year, training, mental health counseling, legal and financial planning help, commissary and exchange access, and travel benefits.

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