Why are veteran caregivers excluded from the VA Caregiver Support Program?

PO3 Joe Niehaus — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 11:44:08 -0500

The VA has a Caregiver Support Program for caregiver's of veterans. To be eligible to participate in the Program, the caregiver must be a non veteran who cares for a veteran. I am a veteran caregiver, on dialysis, caring for my wife of 59 years. My wife has no short term memory recall ability and the last six month her long term memory is being effected. Why are veteran caregivers excluded from the program?

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Dec 14 at 2021 12:29 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 12:29:41 -0500

I suspect the reason is because the caregiver program is designed to be a benefit for veterans. The VA's program will allow someone to be a caregiver for a veteran, but not for a non-veteran (i.e. it's a caregiver program, not an employment program). Is your wife a veteran? If not, that may explain why you are excluded.

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 14 at 2021 1:38 PM

COL Randall C. — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 13:38:52 -0500

PO3 Joe Niehaus, LTC Kevin B. stated it correctly. The program is for caregivers of a veteran who is at least 70% disabled and needs ongoing in-person care.

The status of the caregiver doesn't matter (in terms of being a veteran or not) - it's the status of the individual being cared for.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 14 at 2021 5:39 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:39:04 -0500

If she were a veteran the. It would work.

Response by PO3 Joe Niehaus made Dec 15 at 2021 9:32 PM

PO3 Joe Niehaus — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 21:32:21 -0500

All I am interested in is "Building Better Caregivers: Online workshop with 6 weekly self-paced lessons, facilitator guidance, group support and access to an alumni community for program graduates." I am not looking for financial support, sitters, visits to the house etc., just the online workshop for an answer to the tremendous difficulties I am encountering as a sole caregiver. Go to the VA website:
https://signup.buildingbettercaregivers.org/enroll/?utm_source=csp&utm_campaign=Sep21
The third question: Are you a Caregiver for a Veteran? YES NO
Select NO: It appears that you may not meet the criteria for joining a Building Better Caregiver workshop right now......

VA BBC CSP List

Online workshop for Caregivers with 6 weekly self-paced lessons, facilitator guidance, group support and access to an alumni community for program graduates.