Apply for VA Caregiver Benefits

The Veterans Affairs Department released a landmark benefits program for the caregivers of severely disabled veterans from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Full benefits begin July 2011, with living stipends and medical benefits retroactive to the date of application.

APPLICATIONS FOR VETERANS' CAREGIVERS BENEFITS

Applying for benefits is multi-tiered: application requirements include working with caregiver coordinators at VA hospitals, getting a VA doctors' injury assessment, and going for basic medical training to earn caregiver certification. Once you apply, a VA caregiver coordinator and clinician will contact you to continue the qualification process.

Though the process involves work, the benefits are worth it. The veterans' caregivers benefits program promises to improve the quality of life for both the disabled veterans and their caregivers.

DO YOU QUALIFY FOR VETERANS' CAREGIVERS BENEFITS?

Comprehensive caregiver benefits, from health care to substitute nurses when needed, are limited to veterans who were seriously injured while serving since Sept. 10, 2001. Serious injuries include physical or psychological injuries. Eligible caregivers are those caring for veterans unable to perform activities of daily life without assistance.

If veterans do not qualify for full caregiver benefits, VA has other options that include respite care, adult daycare and training in how to care for a severely disabled veteran.

WHERE TO APPLY FOR VETERANS CAREGIVERS BENEFITS

The caregiver program application is available at www.caregiver.va.gov. Caregiver support coordinators are also available at each VA medical center. Call caregiver coordinators toll-free for help with your veterans' caregivers benefits application at 1-877-222 VETS (8387).