VA Caregiver Stipend Program: Monthly Payments for Family Caregivers

If you're caring for a veteran parent at home, the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) may pay you a monthly stipend of up to $2,750 per month for the care you're already providing.

This is separate from VA Aid and Attendance, which pays the veteran directly. The caregiver stipend goes to you, the caregiver, as compensation for your time.

How the Stipend Works

VA bases the monthly stipend rate on the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) General Schedule annual rate for grade 4, step 1, in the veteran's locality, divided by 12.

The VA determines the primary caregiver's stipend level from its evaluation of the veteran's personal care needs:

• Level 1: 62.5% of the monthly OPM locality rate
• Level 2: 100% of the monthly OPM locality rate when VA determines the veteran is unable to self-sustain in the community

The research-backed 2026 planning figure is up to $2,750 per month; actual payment depends on the veteran's locality and assessed care needs.

Who Qualifies

The veteran must meet all of these criteria:

• Enrolled in VA health care
• Has a VA disability rating (individual or combined) of 70% or higher and was discharged from the military or has a date of medical discharge
• Needs at least six months of continuous, in-person personal care services
• Needs personal care services supporting health and well-being, everyday personal needs, or safety, protection, or instruction in the daily living environment

The caregiver must be at least 18 years old and either be a spouse, child, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member of the veteran, or live full time with the veteran (or be willing to do so if designated). Family members — including spouses, adult children, and siblings — can qualify. The caregiver does not need to be a licensed professional.

What's Included Beyond the Stipend

The caregiver stipend is just one part of the package. Approved primary caregivers also receive:

• Health insurance through CHAMPVA if not already covered
• Mental health counseling and caregiver support groups
• 30 days of respite care per year so you can take breaks
• Certain travel benefits when traveling with the veteran to receive care
• Caregiver education and training through the VA

These benefits provide support beyond the monthly stipend itself.

How to Apply

You and the veteran apply together online, by mail, or in person through the VA caregiver support team. The process:

1. Complete VA Form 10-10CG (Application for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers). Both the veteran and caregiver must sign.
2. Submit to the caregiver support team at your VA Medical Center — find yours through the VA's Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.
3. The VA evaluates the veteran's personal care needs and determines Level 1 or Level 2 stipend eligibility.
4. If approved, the caregiver completes required training and sets up direct deposit before stipend payments begin.

Processing times and any retroactive payment depend on the VA's determination; confirm the stipend start date with the Caregiver Support Line.

Caregiver Stipend vs. Aid and Attendance

These two VA programs serve different purposes, and eligibility for one does not establish eligibility for the other:

Aid and Attendance is a pension enhancement paid directly to the veteran (up to $2,874/month for a veteran with one dependent in 2026). It's based on wartime service and financial need. The veteran spends it however they choose — including paying a family caregiver.

The Caregiver Stipend is paid directly to the caregiver, based on the veteran's qualifying service-connected disability and assessed personal care needs. It is a separate program from Aid and Attendance's needs-based pension test.

If the veteran meets the separate eligibility rules, the family can evaluate both programs. The stipend can help turn an unpaid family caregiving arrangement into a compensated one. The Caregiver's Budget and Cost-of-Care Planner includes a funding eligibility checklist that helps you determine which VA programs your parent may qualify for.