Posted on Apr 24, 2016
The VA Program For Veteran Caregivers You May Not Know About
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VA caregiver benefits provide financial, medical, and peer help for family members that support veterans.
Roughly 5.5 million people serve as caregivers for veteran family members. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a lesser known benefit for these family members. Known as Caregiver Support Services, these benefits aim to help family members who are tasked with the primary care of a disabled veteran.
The services available include access to a caregiver support line, support coordinator, peer support for caregivers, adult day health care centers, and home care, among other things.
One portion of this benefit — aimed specifically at post-9/11 veterans’ families — is the services for family caregivers of post-9/11 veterans under the “Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.”
Those benefits can include access to a monthly stipend, travel expenses, health insurance, mental health services, VA caregiver training provided by Easter Seals, and respite care, and are meant to ease both the physical, mental, and sometimes financial burden of supporting a veteran as a caregiver.
Related: Here’s a VA benefit we bet you didn’t know about »
If awarded, the stipend amount is based on the weekly number of hours of personal care services that an eligible veteran requires during the month. In order to determine the scope of benefits offered to a caregiver, the VA assigns a patient-aligned care team, which uses a three-tier system to evaluate the eligible veteran.
According to the VA, a high-tier veteran equates to a maximum of 40 hours of care per week. the medium tier equates to a maximum of 25 hours of care per week, and the low tier equates to a maximum of 10 hours of care per week.
Task & Purpose spoke with caregiver Emery Popoloski, who is currently receiving aid under the program, about her experience with the VA’s caregiver program. Her husband is a combat disabled veteran who fought in Iraq.
“I was about a year and a half into my caregiver journey … I was just 25,” she said. “All my friends were just getting married, nobody had kids, nobody understood what it was like to have a spouse that was 100% dependent on me.”
That is the importance of the program, she said. It not only connects caregivers to services like stipends and in-home care, but also provides a network of people who are going through similar experiences.
Being well-versed in the program, Popoloski now serves as the caregiver community program coordinator at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation — a group that helps military families and caregivers by strengthening the services afforded to them. She was recently promoted to serve as their fellowship program coordinator.
Her work has also led her to involvement with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, which is one of a number of groups that helps to connect veterans and their families to these services.
Lynda Davis, executive vice president of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, told Task & Purpose in an interview that the 5.5 million caregivers across the country support veterans of all the U.S. wars. Roughly 1.2 million of them are caregivers to post-9/11 veterans.
“Our intention is to reach all of the 5.5 million caregivers,” Davis said. “We provide an open, public, resource library on a variety of topics that are key to caregivers.”
If you are not sure where to start, the VA offers an eligibility checklist. However, Popoloski suggested that anyone caring for a veteran should consider contacting an advocacy group like Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, or TAPS for more information.
Roughly 5.5 million people serve as caregivers for veteran family members. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a lesser known benefit for these family members. Known as Caregiver Support Services, these benefits aim to help family members who are tasked with the primary care of a disabled veteran.
The services available include access to a caregiver support line, support coordinator, peer support for caregivers, adult day health care centers, and home care, among other things.
One portion of this benefit — aimed specifically at post-9/11 veterans’ families — is the services for family caregivers of post-9/11 veterans under the “Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.”
Those benefits can include access to a monthly stipend, travel expenses, health insurance, mental health services, VA caregiver training provided by Easter Seals, and respite care, and are meant to ease both the physical, mental, and sometimes financial burden of supporting a veteran as a caregiver.
Related: Here’s a VA benefit we bet you didn’t know about »
If awarded, the stipend amount is based on the weekly number of hours of personal care services that an eligible veteran requires during the month. In order to determine the scope of benefits offered to a caregiver, the VA assigns a patient-aligned care team, which uses a three-tier system to evaluate the eligible veteran.
According to the VA, a high-tier veteran equates to a maximum of 40 hours of care per week. the medium tier equates to a maximum of 25 hours of care per week, and the low tier equates to a maximum of 10 hours of care per week.
Task & Purpose spoke with caregiver Emery Popoloski, who is currently receiving aid under the program, about her experience with the VA’s caregiver program. Her husband is a combat disabled veteran who fought in Iraq.
“I was about a year and a half into my caregiver journey … I was just 25,” she said. “All my friends were just getting married, nobody had kids, nobody understood what it was like to have a spouse that was 100% dependent on me.”
That is the importance of the program, she said. It not only connects caregivers to services like stipends and in-home care, but also provides a network of people who are going through similar experiences.
Being well-versed in the program, Popoloski now serves as the caregiver community program coordinator at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation — a group that helps military families and caregivers by strengthening the services afforded to them. She was recently promoted to serve as their fellowship program coordinator.
Her work has also led her to involvement with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, which is one of a number of groups that helps to connect veterans and their families to these services.
Lynda Davis, executive vice president of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, told Task & Purpose in an interview that the 5.5 million caregivers across the country support veterans of all the U.S. wars. Roughly 1.2 million of them are caregivers to post-9/11 veterans.
“Our intention is to reach all of the 5.5 million caregivers,” Davis said. “We provide an open, public, resource library on a variety of topics that are key to caregivers.”
If you are not sure where to start, the VA offers an eligibility checklist. However, Popoloski suggested that anyone caring for a veteran should consider contacting an advocacy group like Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, or TAPS for more information.
The VA Program For Veteran Caregivers You May Not Know About
Posted from taskandpurpose.com
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Veteran Caregiver
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 5
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Thanks for sharing SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. The VA told me I was in eligible for this program because my military service coincided with the Vietnam war and Desert Storm and that I was mobilized for ONE. The program is limited to those who deployed for OIF and OEF and the follow on operation in Iraq. Hopefully all those eligible and that could benefit from this program will be accepted with no hassles.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I want to be seizure-free, but they com and go. Dangerous to cook and a few other things. For 60, I have a very high endurance but have syncope and jerking. A seizure is a seizure and stress does play a part in this. So I am looking for help in this matter.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SSgt (Join to see) check this caregiver information out.
The Program of Comprehensive
Assistance for Family Caregivers
Family Caregivers provide crucial support in caring for our Nation’s Veterans by allowing them to stay in the homes and communities they defended, surrounded by the loved ones they fought for. Caregivers in a home environment can enhance the health and well-being of Veterans under VA care. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, as established in PL 111163, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, has allowed VA to provide additional supports and services to Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans injured in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.
Veteran Eligibility:
1.
The Veteran incurred or aggravated a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) in the line of duty, on or after September 11, 2001.
2.
Because of the qualifying serious injury, the Veteran requires another person (a Caregiver) to assist the Veteran with the management of personal care functions required in everyday living.
3.
The serious injury renders the Veteran in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on a clinical determination that takes into account various factors.
4.
It is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the Caregiver Support Program.
5.
The Veteran will receive ongoing care from a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) or other VA health care team as a requirement for participation in the program.
6.
The Veteran agrees to receive ongoing care at home after VA designates a Family Caregiver.
7.
Personal care services that would be provided by the Caregiver will not simultaneously be provided through another individual or entity.
Caregiver Eligibility:
1.
The Caregiver must be at least 18 years of age.
2.
The Caregiver must be either:
a.
The Veteran’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, step-family member, or extended family member; or
b.
Someone who lives with the Veteran full time.
3.
Prior to approval, the Caregiver will be provided with training and must be able to demonstrate the ability to assist the Veteran with personal care functions required in everyday living.
**There are additional criteria that must be met prior to approval.
Application Details:
•
Veterans may begin the application process by accessing the Caregiver Program application (VA Form 10-10CG) at http://www.caregiver.va.gov. The application enables Veterans to designate one primary Family Caregiver and up to two secondary Family Caregivers. Caregiver Support Coordinators are available at every VA Medical Center to assist Veterans and their Caregivers with the application process. Additional application assistance can be provided at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
•
If the Veteran is not currently enrolled in VA health care, both the VA Form 10-10 EZ for VA health services and the application for the Caregiver Program (VA Form 10-10CG) will need to be completed.
•
The application must be completed and signed by both the Veteran or their legal representative and the primary Caregiver. The application can be hand carried to a Caregiver Support Coordinator at a local VA Medical Center (VAMC) for walk-in processing or it may be mailed to:
Family Caregivers Program
Health Eligibility Center
2957 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
•
Within three business days of receipt of the initial application, the Caregiver Support Coordinator at the Veteran’s preferred VA Medical Center will contact the Veteran and Family Caregiver applicant(s).
•
A clinical team from VA will coordinate arrangements with the Veteran to complete a clinical eligibility assessment. This will include evaluating what assistance the Veteran needs with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, grooming, and/or need for supervision or protection. In addition, the Caregiver(s) will complete an assessment to ensure the eligibility criteria are met.
•
Training is completed by the Family Caregiver applicant(s) once it is determined the Veteran meets eligibility criteria. Training can be completed in one of three ways: classroom training; online; or by self-study using a workbook and DVD that will be mailed to the Family Caregiver(s).
•
Once training is completed by the Family Caregiver applicant(s), a VA clinician will visit the Veteran’s home. The purpose of this home visit is to make sure that the Family Caregiver applicant(s) and Veteran have everything they need to be safe and successful in the home setting.
•
After the home visit is completed, the Family Caregiver(s) will be approved by VA and a primary Family Caregiver will be designated by VA. The designated primary Family Caregiver will begin receiving a monthly stipend based on the Veteran’s level of need and required assistance. The primary Family Caregiver may also be eligible to receive medical care through CHAMPVA if the primary Family Caregiver is not entitled to care or services under a health-plan contract.
•
There are many services specific to Caregivers of Veterans of all eras that are currently being offered by VA. Contact your local VAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator or the Caregiver Support Line at [login to see] for information on these and other Caregiver resources and services.
http://www.caregiver.va.gov
The Program of Comprehensive
Assistance for Family Caregivers
Family Caregivers provide crucial support in caring for our Nation’s Veterans by allowing them to stay in the homes and communities they defended, surrounded by the loved ones they fought for. Caregivers in a home environment can enhance the health and well-being of Veterans under VA care. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, as established in PL 111163, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, has allowed VA to provide additional supports and services to Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans injured in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001.
Veteran Eligibility:
1.
The Veteran incurred or aggravated a serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) in the line of duty, on or after September 11, 2001.
2.
Because of the qualifying serious injury, the Veteran requires another person (a Caregiver) to assist the Veteran with the management of personal care functions required in everyday living.
3.
The serious injury renders the Veteran in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on a clinical determination that takes into account various factors.
4.
It is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the Caregiver Support Program.
5.
The Veteran will receive ongoing care from a Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) or other VA health care team as a requirement for participation in the program.
6.
The Veteran agrees to receive ongoing care at home after VA designates a Family Caregiver.
7.
Personal care services that would be provided by the Caregiver will not simultaneously be provided through another individual or entity.
Caregiver Eligibility:
1.
The Caregiver must be at least 18 years of age.
2.
The Caregiver must be either:
a.
The Veteran’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, step-family member, or extended family member; or
b.
Someone who lives with the Veteran full time.
3.
Prior to approval, the Caregiver will be provided with training and must be able to demonstrate the ability to assist the Veteran with personal care functions required in everyday living.
**There are additional criteria that must be met prior to approval.
Application Details:
•
Veterans may begin the application process by accessing the Caregiver Program application (VA Form 10-10CG) at http://www.caregiver.va.gov. The application enables Veterans to designate one primary Family Caregiver and up to two secondary Family Caregivers. Caregiver Support Coordinators are available at every VA Medical Center to assist Veterans and their Caregivers with the application process. Additional application assistance can be provided at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
•
If the Veteran is not currently enrolled in VA health care, both the VA Form 10-10 EZ for VA health services and the application for the Caregiver Program (VA Form 10-10CG) will need to be completed.
•
The application must be completed and signed by both the Veteran or their legal representative and the primary Caregiver. The application can be hand carried to a Caregiver Support Coordinator at a local VA Medical Center (VAMC) for walk-in processing or it may be mailed to:
Family Caregivers Program
Health Eligibility Center
2957 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30329-1647
•
Within three business days of receipt of the initial application, the Caregiver Support Coordinator at the Veteran’s preferred VA Medical Center will contact the Veteran and Family Caregiver applicant(s).
•
A clinical team from VA will coordinate arrangements with the Veteran to complete a clinical eligibility assessment. This will include evaluating what assistance the Veteran needs with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, grooming, and/or need for supervision or protection. In addition, the Caregiver(s) will complete an assessment to ensure the eligibility criteria are met.
•
Training is completed by the Family Caregiver applicant(s) once it is determined the Veteran meets eligibility criteria. Training can be completed in one of three ways: classroom training; online; or by self-study using a workbook and DVD that will be mailed to the Family Caregiver(s).
•
Once training is completed by the Family Caregiver applicant(s), a VA clinician will visit the Veteran’s home. The purpose of this home visit is to make sure that the Family Caregiver applicant(s) and Veteran have everything they need to be safe and successful in the home setting.
•
After the home visit is completed, the Family Caregiver(s) will be approved by VA and a primary Family Caregiver will be designated by VA. The designated primary Family Caregiver will begin receiving a monthly stipend based on the Veteran’s level of need and required assistance. The primary Family Caregiver may also be eligible to receive medical care through CHAMPVA if the primary Family Caregiver is not entitled to care or services under a health-plan contract.
•
There are many services specific to Caregivers of Veterans of all eras that are currently being offered by VA. Contact your local VAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator or the Caregiver Support Line at [login to see] for information on these and other Caregiver resources and services.
http://www.caregiver.va.gov
VA also has a number of services designed specifically to support you in your role as a Family Caregiver.
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