WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced plans to extend eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) through September 30, 2028, for certain Veterans and their caregivers. The proposed rule is intended to provide continued stability for thousands of families as the VA refines its caregiver support policies.
The extension will apply to “legacy participants” and “legacy applicants” — designations that refer to those who were either enrolled in PCAFC as of September 30, 2020, or who applied before October 1, 2020, and were subsequently accepted into the program. This group includes nearly 15,000 Veteran-caregiver teams who were part of the program prior to recent reforms.
“Legacy caregivers have helped shape VA’s Caregiver Support Program for many years,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “This decision underscores VA’s commitment to Veterans and caregivers across the nation and will help provide consistency and stability to nearly 15,000 legacy participants for years to come.”
The PCAFC is a cornerstone of the VA’s broader Caregiver Support Program, offering clinical and logistical assistance to caregivers of eligible Veterans who sustained serious injuries in the line of duty. Services include specialized training, respite care, mental health counseling, travel reimbursement, a monthly stipend, and access to health care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).
By proposing this three-year extension, the VA aims to avoid disruption for caregivers while ongoing rulemaking evaluates how to update eligibility requirements and enhance program delivery. The initiative reflects the department’s broader commitment to supporting the vital role that caregivers play in the long-term health and recovery of injured Veterans.
The official rule proposal will be published in the Federal Register in the coming weeks, and the VA has indicated it will seek public comment before finalizing the extension.
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