VA Caregiver Support Program: What You Need to Know About Getting Paid
How the VA Caregiver Support Program Works
The VA Caregiver Support Program pays you a monthly stipend if you're caring for a veteran with a serious injury or illness from military service. The program is run by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the payment goes directly to you — not to an agency or facility. You don't have to be related to the veteran, but you do have to be approved by the VA, and the veteran has to be enrolled in VA health care.
The program has three tiers based on how much care the veteran needs. Higher tiers pay more per month, but the exact amount varies by state and changes each year. The VA reviews your case once a year to make sure you still meet the requirements.
Key Takeaways
- You must be caring for a veteran with a serious injury or illness caused by military service, and that veteran must be enrolled in VA health care.
- The VA pays you directly each month, and the amount depends on which of three tiers your veteran falls into based on their care needs.
- You'll need to submit a VA Form 10-10CG along with medical records showing the veteran's condition and a statement from their VA doctor about their care needs.
- The approval process typically takes several weeks, and the VA will contact you if they need more information before making a decision.
- Once approved, you'll receive a yearly review to confirm you're still meeting program requirements.
The Three Tiers and What They Pay
Tier 1 is for veterans who need help with one or two activities of daily living — things like bathing, dressing, or using the toilet. Tier 2 is for veterans who need help with three or more activities of daily living, or who have a serious cognitive impairment like dementia. Tier 3 is for veterans who need 24-hour care because of a catastrophic injury or illness, or who need help with all activities of daily living plus have a serious cognitive impairment.
The monthly payment for each tier varies. As of 2024, Tier 1 ranges from roughly $600 to $1,100 per month depending on your state, Tier 2 ranges from roughly $1,400 to $2,400, and Tier 3 ranges from roughly $2,700 to $4,500. These amounts are adjusted each year. You can contact your regional VA office to find out the exact amount for your state and tier.
The veteran doesn't have to choose which tier they want — the VA determines the tier based on their medical condition and care needs. Your job is to show what care you're actually providing.
Who Can Be a Caregiver Under This Program
You can be a family member, a friend, or someone with no prior relationship to the veteran. You must be at least 18 years old. You don't need any formal training or certification, but you do need to be the person providing the day-to-day care — not just checking in occasionally or managing finances.
You can work other jobs while being a VA caregiver, but the VA expects you to be the primary person responsible for the veteran's care. If you're splitting caregiving duties with someone else, only one of you can be the official VA caregiver receiving the stipend, though the VA does have a "secondary caregiver" program that provides some support to a second person.
The veteran must be enrolled in VA health care and have a service-connected condition rated by the VA. Not all veterans may have access to — the condition has to be serious enough that it causes significant functional impairment.
Documents You'll Need to Gather
Start by getting the veteran's VA disability rating letter, which shows their service-connected condition and rating percentage. You'll also need a signed lease or proof of residence showing you live with the veteran, or documentation showing you provide care in their home regularly if you don't live there.
The most important document is a statement from the veteran's VA doctor or nurse practitioner describing the veteran's condition, their functional limitations, and the specific care tasks you perform. This statement should be detailed — it needs to explain why the veteran can't do these tasks alone and how much time you spend on care each day. Ask the VA clinic to fill out VA Form 10-10CG-1, which is designed for this purpose, though some clinics may provide a letter instead.
You'll also need to complete VA Form 10-10CG yourself, which asks about your relationship to the veteran, where you live, what care you provide, and whether you're receiving payment from any other source for caregiving. The form is available on the VA website or from your regional VA office.
How to Submit Your Information to the VA
Contact your nearest VA regional office or the veteran's VA medical center to ask for the caregiver program application packet. You can find your regional office on the VA website by entering your zip code. When you call, ask specifically for the Caregiver Support Program coordinator — they handle these cases and can answer questions about what the veteran's condition needs to show.
You'll submit the completed VA Form 10-10CG, the medical statement from the veteran's VA provider, proof of residence, and the veteran's disability rating letter. Some VA offices accept these by mail, some by fax, and some through a secure online portal. Ask which method your office prefers when you call.
Keep copies of everything you send. The VA will contact you if they need clarification or additional information. This back-and-forth can add weeks to the process, so responding quickly helps move things along.
What Happens After You Submit
The VA typically takes four to eight weeks to make a decision, though it can be longer if they need more information from the veteran's medical team. You'll receive a letter in the mail telling you whether you've been approved, and if so, which tier you're in and what your monthly payment will be.
If you're approved, your first payment usually arrives within one to two months. Payments come by direct deposit or check, depending on what you choose. You'll receive a payment every month going forward, as long as you remain the veteran's primary caregiver and the veteran stays enrolled in VA health care.
The VA will contact you once a year to confirm that you're still providing care and that the veteran's condition hasn't changed significantly. If the veteran's condition improves or worsens, the VA may move them to a different tier, which changes your payment amount. If you stop being the primary caregiver, the payments stop.
What to Do If the VA Denies Your Application
If the VA denies your application, they'll send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include the veteran not being enrolled in VA health care, the condition not being service-connected, the condition not being serious enough, or the medical documentation not being detailed enough.
You can ask the VA to reconsider. If the reason was incomplete medical information, ask the veteran's VA provider to submit a more detailed statement. If the reason was that the condition doesn't meet the program's threshold, you can reapply later if the veteran's condition worsens. You can also contact your regional VA office to discuss whether there are other caregiver support options available, such as the VA's general Caregiver Support Program, which offers counseling and training but not a monthly stipend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live with the veteran to be their caregiver?
No. You can provide care in the veteran's home without living there, or you can live with them. What matters is that you're the primary person providing the day-to-day care. If you don't live with the veteran, you'll need to show documentation of how often you're there and what care you provide.
Can I receive payment from another source while being a VA caregiver?
Yes, but you have to report it to the VA. Some caregivers receive Medicaid payments or payments from the veteran's long-term care insurance at the same time they receive the VA stipend. The VA wants to know about these payments, but they usually don't disqualify you. Report any other caregiver payments when you fill out the application.
What if the veteran's condition improves and they need less care?
The VA reviews your case once a year. If the veteran's condition improves, the VA may move them to a lower tier, which lowers your payment. If they improve enough that they no longer need significant help with daily activities, the program may end. The VA will notify you of any changes.
Can two people split the caregiver payment?
No. Only one person can be the primary caregiver receiving the monthly stipend. However, the VA does have a secondary caregiver program that provides training, counseling, and some support services to a second person who helps with care. Contact your regional VA office to learn about secondary caregiver options.
How long does it take to get approved?
The VA typically takes four to eight weeks to review your application and make a decision. If they need more information from the veteran's medical team, it can take longer. Your first payment usually arrives one to two months after approval.