When a veteran needs help with daily living activities, the responsibility often falls on a spouse, adult child, or another family member. Caregiving is rewarding — but it can also be financially and physically demanding. What many families don’t realize is that the VA offers several programs that can help cover the cost of care, support family caregivers directly, and in some cases provide a monthly benefit to the veteran or surviving spouse’s household.
This article covers the main VA caregiver benefits available to wartime veterans and their families, how each program works, and how to find out which one may be the right fit for your situation.
VA Caregiver Benefits: An Overview
The VA offers multiple caregiving programs, and they are not all the same. Some are designed for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Others are specifically for wartime veterans who need long-term care. Understanding the differences is essential before applying, because eligibility requirements vary significantly across programs.
The four main VA caregiver benefit programs are:
- VA Aid & Attendance Benefit
- Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
- Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
- VA Home Health Aide
Each is described in detail below.
1. VA Aid & Attendance Benefit
The Aid & Attendance benefit is one of the most valuable — and most underutilized — VA benefits available to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses. It is a tax-free VA benefit that helps cover the cost of personal care, whether that care is provided at home, in an assisted living community, or in a skilled nursing facility.
Unlike some other VA programs, Aid & Attendance is not tied to a service-connected disability. It is based on wartime service, age or disability status, care needs, and financial eligibility.
What It Covers
The benefit is designed to help offset the out-of-pocket cost of personal care. This includes hiring a professional home caregiver, paying for an assisted living community, or covering the cost of adult day care. It functions as a monthly reimbursement paid directly to the veteran or surviving spouse — not to the caregiver or care community.
One important distinction: Aid & Attendance allows veterans and surviving spouses to choose their own caregiver. That caregiver can be a family member (other than the veteran’s spouse), a friend, or a professional — with no licensing or certification required.
2026 Benefit Amounts
The 2026 Aid & Attendance benefit rates are:
2026 VA Aid & Attendance Maximum Monthly Benefit Rates:
Surviving Spouse: $1,558/month
Single Veteran: $2,424/month
Married Veteran: $2,874/month
Two Veterans Married to Each Other: $3,845/month
Who Qualifies
To qualify for Aid & Attendance, the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during an eligible wartime period — including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or the Gulf War. The veteran must have received an honorable or other than dishonorable discharge.
In addition, the veteran must be at least 65 years of age, or have a permanent and total disability, be a nursing home resident due to disability, or receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. There is no age requirement for a surviving spouse.
The veteran or surviving spouse must also need assistance with activities of daily living — such as bathing, dressing, mobility, eating, or toileting — or require supervision due to a cognitive condition such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Financial eligibility is also a factor. The VA considers income versus cost of care, as well as net worth. The net worth limit for 2026 is $163,699. A primary residence and one vehicle are excluded from the calculation.
Family Members as Caregivers
A common question is whether a family member can be paid as a caregiver under Aid & Attendance. The answer is yes — with an important clarification. The VA does not pay the family caregiver directly. Instead, the veteran or surviving spouse receives the monthly benefit, pays the caregiver from those funds, and documents the arrangement properly. The caregiver can be an adult child, sibling, neighbor, or friend — but not the veteran’s spouse.
Important: The VA application forms do not explain how to correctly set up and document a family caregiver arrangement. An incorrectly documented claim is one of the most common reasons for denials or reduced benefit awards. Working with a benefit specialist can help ensure the arrangement is structured properly from the start.
2. Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, commonly known as PCAFC, is a VA program that pays eligible family members a monthly stipend to provide care for veterans with serious service-connected disabilities. Unlike Aid & Attendance, PCAFC is directly tied to the veteran’s VA disability rating.
Veteran Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for PCAFC, the veteran must have a VA disability rating of 70% or higher, have been discharged from the military or received a medical discharge, and need at least six months of continuous in-person personal care services.
Caregiver Eligibility Requirements
The family caregiver must be at least 18 years of age and be the veteran’s spouse, child, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member — or be willing to live full time with the veteran if the program is approved. A veteran can have one primary caregiver and up to two secondary caregivers enrolled at a time.
What PCAFC Provides
The PCAFC program offers a meaningful package of support for participating caregivers, including a monthly stipend paid directly to the caregiver, access to health care through the CHAMPVA program, up to 30 days of respite care annually, caregiver education and training, mental health counseling, and travel assistance when accompanying the veteran to VA appointments.
Note: PCAFC is administered through the VA’s Caregiver Support Program. Applications are submitted using VA Form 10-10CG and include an in-home assessment of the veteran’s care needs.
3. Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
Not every caregiver will qualify for PCAFC — and that’s where the Program of General Caregiver Support Services comes in. This program is open to anyone providing personal care to a veteran enrolled in VA health care, regardless of disability rating or discharge status.
The VA defines a general caregiver as a person who provides personal care services to a veteran enrolled in VA health care who needs assistance with one or more activities of daily living, or who requires supervision or protection due to a neurological or other impairment.
PGCSS does not provide a monthly payment, but it does offer meaningful support resources including skills training, mentoring, coaching, telephone support, online programs, and referrals to community services. It is a good option for caregivers who are not yet ready or eligible for PCAFC, or who simply need support and guidance in their caregiving role.
4. VA Home Health Aide
Veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system may be eligible for a Home Health Aide through the VA. This program provides a trained aide who helps the veteran with daily living activities and other personal care needs in the home.
VA Home Health Aides typically work between six and ten hours per week. The aides are provided through local companies contracted by the VA. Availability varies by location and is not offered in all areas. Depending on the veteran’s circumstances, there may also be a cost-sharing component.
Unlike Aid & Attendance, the Home Health Aide program does not allow the veteran to choose their own caregiver — the aide is assigned through the VA’s contracting process. The program is also more limited in scope and hours than what many veterans and families actually need.
How the Programs Compare
| Program | Who It Serves | Monthly Payment? | Choose Your Own Caregiver? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aid & Attendance | Wartime veterans & surviving spouses | Yes — to veteran/spouse | Yes |
| PCAFC | Veterans with 70%+ disability rating | Yes — to family caregiver | Family members only |
| PGCSS | Any veteran enrolled in VA health care | No | N/A |
| VA Home Health Aide | Veterans enrolled in VA health care | No | No |
Which Program Is Right for You?
The right program depends on the veteran’s service history, disability status, care needs, and financial situation. Some veterans may be eligible for more than one program simultaneously — for example, a veteran could potentially receive Aid & Attendance while also accessing PGCSS support services.
For wartime veterans and surviving spouses who are paying out of pocket for care at home or in an assisted living community, Aid & Attendance is typically the most impactful benefit to pursue. The monthly amounts are substantial, the benefit is tax-free, and it does not need to be repaid as long as the recipient is incurring qualifying care expenses.
For veterans with significant service-connected disabilities whose family members are providing daily hands-on care, PCAFC may be worth exploring — particularly because it provides a direct stipend to the caregiver along with health care coverage through CHAMPVA.
Patriot Angels is a VA-accredited organization that works with wartime veterans and surviving spouses nationwide to help navigate the Aid & Attendance benefit process. Our Benefit Specialists, under the guidance of our VA-accredited attorney, provide step-by-step assistance at no cost to find out if you qualify. We hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have helped more than 30,000 veterans and families secure over $1 billion in tax-free VA benefits since 2012.
There is no cost to find out if you qualify. Call us at (844) 757-3047 or apply for Aid & Attendance here.
If you or a loved one served our country, let us help you secure
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about VA caregiver benefits for veterans and surviving spouses.
Can a family member get paid to care for a veteran?
It depends on the program. Under Aid & Attendance, a family member (other than the veteran’s spouse) can be hired as a paid caregiver. The veteran or surviving spouse receives the monthly benefit and pays the caregiver from those funds. Under PCAFC, a direct monthly stipend is paid to qualifying family caregivers of veterans with a 70% or higher VA disability rating.
What is the difference between Aid & Attendance and PCAFC?
Aid & Attendance is a pension-based benefit for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily living activities. It is not tied to a service-connected disability rating. PCAFC is a separate program that pays family caregivers a monthly stipend, but requires the veteran to have a VA disability rating of 70% or higher. The two programs have different eligibility criteria and application processes.
Does a caregiver need to be licensed or certified to qualify for VA caregiver benefits?
Not for Aid & Attendance. The caregiver does not need any specific license or certification, does not need to live with the veteran, and can be a family member, friend, or professional. PCAFC caregivers do receive training through the VA after enrollment, but prior certification is not required to apply.
Can a surviving spouse receive VA caregiver benefits?
Yes. Surviving spouses of wartime veterans may qualify for Aid & Attendance if they need help with daily living activities, meet financial eligibility requirements, and were married to the veteran at the time of his or her death and have not remarried. The 2026 benefit for an eligible surviving spouse is $1,558 per month.
How do I apply for VA caregiver benefits?
The application process varies by program. Aid & Attendance is applied for through the VA’s pension system and involves submitting supporting documentation about the veteran’s service, medical needs, and financial situation. PCAFC applications are submitted using VA Form 10-10CG. Because errors and omissions in the application can cause significant delays or denials, many veterans and families work with an accredited benefit specialist for guidance.
