United States · Preparation checklist

VA family caregiver (PCAFC) application checklist

1. Step 1

   Confirm the veteran meets PCAFC eligibility

   The veteran must have a single or combined service-connected disability rated 70% or more, and need in-person personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months — based on an inability to perform activities of daily living, a need for supervision or protection, or a need for regular instruction. The veteran must also be receiving care at home, or agree to do so, and be receiving ongoing care through VA primary care.

2. Step 2

   Complete VA Form 10-10CG

   Form 10-10CG is a joint application — the veteran and the caregiver applicants apply together. A veteran may name one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers on the application.

3. Step 3

   Submit the application

   You can apply online at caregiver.va.gov , by mail to the Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road NE, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30329-1647, or in person with your local VA Caregiver Support Program team. If the veteran is not yet enrolled in VA health care, submit Form 10-10EZ as well.

4. Step 4

   Attend the VA clinical assessment

   After the application is received, a VA clinical team schedules an assessment — in the home or by telehealth — to review the veteran's care needs and the care the caregiver provides. Having a dated record of the daily help you already give makes that conversation easier to answer accurately.

5. Step 5

   Wait for the designation decision

   VA makes a designation decision no later than 90 days after the completed joint application is received. If approved, the Primary Family Caregiver stipend is set at Level 1 or Level 2, calculated from the OPM GS-4 step 1 annual rate for the veteran's locality, divided by 12 and multiplied by 0.625 (Level 1) or 1.00 (Level 2) — because the rate is locality-based, the amount differs from place to place. There is no backdating: designation and stipend begin on approval. If the application is denied, there is an appeals process.

6. Step 6

   Know the current rules on reassessment

   A 2025 VA final rule extended protections for legacy-cohort participants through September 30, 2028. Routine reassessments are currently suspended, except where a participant requests an increase. Confirm current status on VA's own pages before relying on this.