How much does VA pay you to take care of a family member?

Asked by: Laurianne Jaskolski  |  Last update: April 23, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (40 votes)

Family caregivers can get paid through the Veteran-Directed Care Program as their veteran loved one can redirect funding to any primary caregiver. This way, family caregivers earn an hourly rate of approximately $8-$21 per hour, much like an outsourced caregiver would.

How long does it take to get approved for VA caregiver?

Within 90 days of the application being received by VA, a member of the CSP Team will call the Veteran and Family Caregiver applicant(s) to notify them of the determination. An official letter will also be mailed. Veterans and caregivers can find their local Caregiver Support Coordinator by...

Does VA Medicaid pay family caregivers?

Medicaid Options

If your loved one qualifies for Medicaid in Virginia, Medicaid-funded programs may be available to help you get paid for the family caregiving work you do. You can't be the spouse of the person you are caring for, you must be an adult over 18, and you may also need to fit other criteria to qualify.

Who qualifies for VA benefits for assisted living?

To qualify for VA benefits for assisted living, veterans must have served at least 90 consecutive days on active duty, with at least one day served during a period of wartime. The specific dates for wartime periods are outlined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Can you be a caregiver for a family member and get paid?

Thirteen states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington—and the District of Columbia have enacted laws that provide paid family leave for employees who need time off to care for family members who are ill or have ...

VA's Caregiver Support Program | Get Paid to Care for Your Veteran | theSITREP

40 related questions found

Who is eligible for the VA caregiver program?

You must be at least 18 years old. And at least one of these must be true for you: You're a spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member of the Veteran, or. You live full time with the Veteran, or you're willing to live full time with the Veteran if we designate you as a family caregiver.

How much money does a VA caregiver receive?

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)

Family caregivers can get paid through the Veteran-Directed Care Program as their veteran loved one can redirect funding to any primary caregiver. This way, family caregivers earn an hourly rate of approximately $8-$21 per hour, much like an outsourced caregiver would.

What is a VA hardship payment?

What is VA financial hardship? “Financial hardship” for purposes of requesting expediting of your VA disability claim means that you, the veteran, are unable to earn enough income to pay essential expenses such as housing payments or medical expenses relating to your disability.

Will the VA pay for a maid?

Does VA Help With House Cleaning? The VA offers various benefits and services to eligible veterans, but unfortunately, house cleaning is not one of them. However, the VA Homemaker and Home Care Services program provides eligible veterans with personal care and household support to help them live independently.

Does the VA pay you to take care of a family member?

VA offers a number of benefits through PCAFC to support Family Caregivers, including a monthly stipend to Primary Family Caregivers. Primary Family Caregivers will receive a monthly stipend for each month's participation as a Primary Family Caregiver.

Can I pay my daughter to care for me?

If the person needing assistance is mentally sound and has sufficient financial resources, that person can choose to compensate a family member for the same services a professional home health care worker would provide.

Who qualifies as a caregiver under Medicare rules?

Under Medicare rules, caregivers are qualified healthcare professionals such as nurses or therapists. Medicare does not pay for care from family members, friends, or privately hired home health aides.

How to pass the VA caregiver interview?

You respond to questions that directly relate to the care of the veteran and be clear and brief in your answers. It's best if the medical records correspond to your answers. It's advised to NOT respond to questions not directly relating to the care of the veteran, as it's information not relevant to the assessment.

Do VA caregivers get back pay?

The stipend is paid monthly for personal care services that a primary family caregiver provided in the prior month. Once an application is approved, the stipend will be retroactive to the date the application was received by the VA.

What is the denial rate for VA caregivers?

McDonough decision means veterans can now appeal VA decisions on the Caregiver Program to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. VA denies around 88% of Caregiver Program applications.

What is the 3600 payment to veterans?

VA disability pay or disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment given to veterans with a service-related disability and an "other than dishonorable" discharge. Those veterans may qualify for a tax-free, monthly benefit ranging from $165 to over $3,600.

What qualifies for hardship?

Income and necessary living expenses: The IRS compares your income against allowable living expenses, which include housing, utilities, food, clothing, transportation and healthcare. If your income barely covers or falls short of these basic expenses, you may qualify for hardship status.

Can the VA help me financially?

If you lost your job or if you have a sudden decrease in income or an increase in out-of-pocket family health care expenses, we can help. Read this page to find out how to request help with current VA copay bills or an exemption from future copays.

How much do family members get paid for caregiving?

Here are the average hourly wages for family caregivers in the top eight states with the most family caregivers, as of September 2024: A family caregiver in California earns $15.54 per hour. A family caregiver in Texas earns $14.82 per hour. A family caregiver in New York earns $16.44 per hour.

Who qualifies as a VA caregiver?

Be a member of the Veteran's family, such as a spouse, son, daughter, parent, step-family member, or extended family member; or if not a member of the Veteran's family, the Family Caregiver(s) must live with the Veteran full-time or will do so if designated as a Family Caregiver.

What is the hourly rate for a caregiver in VA?

As of Jan 17, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Private Caregiver in Virginia is $15.40 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $19.78 and as low as $9.29, the majority of Private Caregiver salaries currently range between $13.61 (25th percentile) to $17.16 (75th percentile) in Virginia.

What is the difference between a caretaker and a caregiver?

As a caregiver, your mission is to uplift and empower your loved one, whereas a caretaker provides a service with clear boundaries. Both roles are valuable, but it's crucial to ensure that your emotional well-being and that of the person you're helping remain intact.

What are four types of caregivers?

In conclusion, there are 4 types of caregivers: family caregivers, professional caregivers, volunteer caregivers, and informal caregivers. Each caregiver faces unique challenges, including physical and emotional exhaustion, financial strain, and balancing personal and caregiving responsibilities.

Is the VA doing away with the caregiver program?

Good news for Veterans and caregivers in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC): VA is extending eligibility and applicable benefits for Legacy Participants and Legacy Applicants through Sept. 30, 2025.