[Idaho Veterans UPDATE] Changes to the VA Veterans Caregiver Support Program

[Idaho Veterans]

Dear Stakeholder:

On July 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published its final rule to improve and expand the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), with the final regulation going into effect on October 1. Attached for your information is the VA news release on this subject, which provides greater detail on the final rule.

We are reaching out to you because, under the final rule, PCAFC legacy applicants and legacy participants will be reassessed under the new eligibility criteria within 12 months of the effective date of the final rule (i.e., by October 1, 2021). Legacy participants and legacy applicants who meet the new eligibility criteria may receive an increase or a decrease in the stipend amount. Legacy participants and legacy applicants who do not meet the new PCAFC eligibility criteria will eventually be discharged from PCAFC and will no longer receive a stipend.

Attached for your information are VA's Frequently Asked Questions relating to legacy applicants and legacy participants, as well as eligibility criteria, under the final rule.

Because some of your Veteran constituents may have their stipends decreased or may be discharged from PCAFC by their reassessment under the final rule, we want to make sure your office is well informed to be able to respond to any potential inquiries or complaints.

It is also important to inform Veterans who are adversely affected by the reassessment that they have the right to appeal VA's decision. Although the details of the appeals process are still in development, Veterans who would like to appeal a reassessment decision should be encouraged to first contact the Patient Advocate Office at their facility.

Thank you, and please let me know if you have any questions or need further information.

Best regards,

Jerrold N. Flyer, MD, MA, FACS
Associate Chief of Staff/Non-Institutional Care
Boise VAMC
Office phone:  208-422-1533
Cell phone: 208-854-9840
Email: jerrold.flyer at va.gov<mailto:jerrold.flyer at va.gov>



Kevin R. Wallior, CPM
Executive Assistant
Central Support Office
Idaho Division of Veterans Services<http://veterans.idaho.gov/>
"Caring for America's Heroes"
Ph: 208-780-1308
Fax: 208-780-1301
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