If I receive a family care plan chapter, will I still receive my VA benefits?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 12:42:30 -0400

I’ve been in the army for almost 10 years now…I enacting my family care plan. Due to my wife being mentally ill. Will I still receive my va benefits? Anyone ever been through this situation? Any help is appreciated

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 8 at 2022 2:18 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:18:54 -0400

VA eligibility is based on a few things. Length of service and type of discharge are two of the biggest requirements

https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/publications/hbco/hbco_basic_eligibility.asp

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2022 4:07 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 16:07:16 -0400

A 10 year PFC? Interesting, but I digress. Being that it is a Chapter, your benefits are subject to your Commander in regards to the Chapter Packet. You need to speak with your Commander....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2022 4:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 16:32:50 -0400

You must be a PFC because that's not how FCP chapters work unless your spouse is in the Army.

"Enacting your Family Care Plan" literally means someone comes and picks up your kids. An FCP is a plan for short notice and long term care for your kids. As in, I'm a single parent or dual military with kids, I get held up at work late, and call someone to pick up my kids. Or, I'm scheduled for a deployment or TDY and someone watches my kids. That is enacting a Family Care Plan.

You should probably sit down with your commander and talk about the type of separation you're going to need to ask for. Of your commander says FCP, you need to go talk to JAG because the commander doesn't know what they're talking about, and that separation will get kicked back once it goes up to the Brigade level.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 10 at 2022 11:45 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 23:45:50 -0400

VA benefits for go or no go are based on the character of your discharge not the chapter of separation.