Latest news with #ProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregivers
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
VA to extend caregiver support to ‘legacy veterans'? Here's what we know
The Department of Veterans Affairs said it would extend eligibility for its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to more "legacy" veterans and their caregivers. This change is expected to help thousands of people who served before 2001, according to a Newsweek report. The Department of Veterans Affairs would extend eligibility for its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers .(Representative Image: Pexels) The VA is the second-largest federal department and employs about 470,000 people, including many veterans. The VA provides benefits to about 6.2 million veterans. Also Read: Major changes to veterans benefits: Key updates and what they mean About VA's new extension to caregiver support In a statement, the VA said, 'The new rule will extend program eligibility for legacy participants, legacy applicants and their family caregivers for three years while VA continues the rulemaking process to refine the program. The extension will ensure that legacy participants and applicants can maintain their benefits and stability during this time.' Legacy participants are veterans, service members, and their caregivers who were in the program as of September 30, 2020. Legacy applicants are those who applied before October 1, 2020, and were accepted on or after October 1, 2020. The VA said this move will close gaps in support and help provide ongoing care for those already approved under older rules. The agency also said it will make reassessments easier and cut paperwork for caregivers. Veteran organizations welcomed the news. The VA also said there would be a temporary increase in burial benefits for certain veterans and their families, thanks to the Dole Act. This law lets eligible veterans get their burial costs fully covered for a limited time, as per reports. Also Read: Veterans Affairs Department reverses mass layoff plans; Here's what prompted the U-turn Changes due to Trump's recent budget bill Veterans will also see some changes because of President Donald Trump's recent budget bill. Veterans' programs have usually had strong support from both parties and have been getting more funding over time. The new budget adds $83 billion more than last year, mostly for medical care and benefits. House Republicans have proposed a $453 billion budget for the VA for 2026. This bill keeps the main benefits for veterans, but it also includes changes that could affect how some services are given and paid for. New spending, from a big bill passed by the House in May, comes as the VA deals with possible staff cuts, which led to protests across the country. The bill also includes new policies about reproductive health, guns, and vaccines, which could change how people use VA services. VA Secretary Doug Collins said, "Legacy caregivers have helped shape VA's Caregiver Support Program for many years. This decision underscores VA's commitment to Veterans and caregivers across the nation and will help provide consistency and stability to nearly 15,000 legacy participants for years to come."
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
VA To Extend Veteran Assistance Program Through 2028
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced plans to extend eligibility for its Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) to include more so-called "legacy" Veterans and their caregivers, a move expected to benefit thousands who served before 2001. Newsweek contacted the VA for comment via email on Sunday. Why It Matters The expansion, set to take effect later this year, will make permanent the eligibility of caregivers for Veterans who were already receiving support before recent policy changes. Previously, many of these "legacy" participants—Veterans injured or seriously ill due to service before 9/11—faced uncertainty about whether they would continue to qualify under updated guidelines. What To Know The VA is the second-largest federal department in the U.S, with a workforce of around 470,000, a quarter of them Veterans themselves. It provides disability benefits to approximately 6.2 million Veterans nationwide. A former U.S. military soldier and volunteer member of Team Red White and Blue serving as an honor guard stands at attention during the Memorial Day ceremony on May 31, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough... A former U.S. military soldier and volunteer member of Team Red White and Blue serving as an honor guard stands at attention during the Memorial Day ceremony on May 31, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. MoreThe PCAFC offers eligible caregivers financial stipends, access to health insurance, mental health counseling, respite care, and training in medical and caregiving tasks. The program was initially created for post-9/11 Veterans but was expanded in recent years to include those who served before May 7, 1975. Veterans who served between 1975 and 2001 were expected to be phased in later, a timeline that caused frustration for many. "The new rule will extend program eligibility for legacy participants, legacy applicants and their family caregivers for three years while VA continues the rulemaking process to refine the program. The extension will ensure that legacy participants and applicants can maintain their benefits and stability during this time," the VA said in a statement. "Legacy participants are Veterans, service members, and their family caregivers who were participating in PCAFC as of Sept. 30, 2020, and legacy applicants are Veterans, service members, and their family caregivers who applied for PCAFC before Oct. 1, 2020, and were accepted into the program on or after Oct. 1, 2020." With this new announcement, the VA aims to eliminate gaps in support and provide continuity of care to those who were already approved under the older criteria. The agency also stated it will streamline reassessments and reduce administrative burdens for caregivers. Veteran advocacy groups will no doubt welcome the news. As reported by Newsweek, the VA also recently announced a temporary expansion of burial benefits for certain veterans and their families. Recipients will see a temporary increase of these benefits thanks to the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, known as the Dole Act. This benefit from the Dole Act will mean eligible veterans will have their full burial costs covered. Veterans will also be impacted by President Donald Trump's recent budget bill, as reported by Newsweek. Veterans' programs have historically received bipartisan support and consistent funding increases. Trump's proposed budget continues that trend, with an $83 billion boost over the prior year, largely for mandatory medical care and benefits payouts. House Republicans are proposing a $453 billion bill for the VA in fiscal year 2026. While the bill maintains key benefits for Veterans, it also includes a number of changes that could affect how some services are delivered and funded. The new spending measures, part of the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill passed by the House in May, come as the VA faces a wave of changes, including staff cuts that have triggered protests nationwide. However, the bill's inclusion of policy items tied to reproductive health, firearm access, and vaccine mandates could limit or reshape access to VA services. What People Are Saying VA Secretary Doug Collins in the announcement: "Legacy caregivers have helped shape VA's Caregiver Support Program for many years. This decision underscores VA's commitment to Veterans and caregivers across the nation and will help provide consistency and stability to nearly 15,000 legacy participants for years to come." What Happens Next More detailed guidance is likely to be issued by the VA in the coming weeks. Current participants in the program are encouraged to stay in contact with their local Caregiver Support Coordinators for updates.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What troops need to know about commissaries and exchanges in 2025
Note: Whether it's health care, retirement benefits, family support and child care, VA benefits or other programs, getting smart about the rewards you have earned is worth your time. Although it is not yet clear to what extent federal cuts will affect DOD programs — including quality-of-life initiatives — these benefits were in place as of this writing. Visit this page for all of our latest coverage surrounding military and veteran pay and benefits. Two benefits that continue to help those in the military community stretch their dollars are commissaries and exchanges. Commissaries are considered on-base stores that sell discounted groceries to authorized customers, while exchanges are on-base stores — with an online component — that sell a variety of items, including clothing and shoes, toys, furniture, home appliances and electronics. They have on-base gas stations and stores that sell alcoholic beverages. Over the past few years, eligibility to shop at military commissaries and exchanges has expanded to include more people in the military community. As always, it pays to compare prices between military stores and other stores. Those eligible to use the commissary benefit include active duty, Guard and reserve members, military retirees, Medal of Honor recipients and their authorized family members. These shoppers have IDs issued by the Defense Department. In a recent change, commissary employees can also shop, but not their family members. DOD and Coast Guard civilian employees in the U.S. and on service agreements overseas are among the authorized shoppers as well. In 2020, eligibility was expanded to veterans with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary family caregivers of eligible veterans enrolled under the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Eligible veterans use their veterans health ID card, or VHIC, to gain access to the installation and to shop. Spouses and other family members aren't allowed to shop individually, but are allowed to come into the stores with the veteran. Family caregivers who qualify for the benefit will have access to a memo at that will be used for entry, along with a driver's license, passport or other authorized form of ID. Payments accepted include cash; personal checks; travelers checks; money orders; debit cards; Military Star Card; American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards; Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF); Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program; American Red Cross Disbursing Orders; commissary gift cards; and coupons. In an effort to help service members and families deal with rising food costs, the Defense Department has invested in commissaries to decrease the price of most grocery items by about 3% to 5%. These discounts are particularly focused on food staples like bread, milk, eggs and other items. The goal is to maintain an average worldwide savings of at least 25% when compared to stores outside the gate. Before the extra funding, there was an overall, average savings of 22%. Customers also pay a 5% surcharge which is used to cover construction costs and other needs. Officials have taken other steps to boost the benefit, such as expanding hours of operation. That includes 56 stores that have converted from six- to seven-day operations. The commissary agency provides a Click2Go program at all commissaries worldwide, where customers choose their items online, select a pickup time and at the appointed time head to the Click2Go parking spaces, where commissary employees bring their groceries to their car and finish the transaction. Commissary officials have also been testing the idea of doorstep delivery. A limited number of commissaries sell beer and wine. Commissaries do sell tobacco in stores on Army and Air Force bases. DOD policy is that tobacco can't be sold at a discount greater than 5% below the lowest competitor in the local area. Rules on who can use overseas commissaries are affected by status-of-forces agreements between host nations and the U.S. Situations vary by country, and individuals should check with the local U.S. military command or installation they plan to visit before they travel. Most commissaries have evening and weekend hours. To find a store, and get information such as hours and directions, visit the commissary website and click on 'Store Locator.' Exchanges are the military's version of department stores, selling discounted brand-name goods from civilian companies, as well as their own private label items. There is no sales tax. There are four exchange systems: The Navy Exchange Service Command; the Marine Corps Exchange system; Coast Guard Exchange system; and Army and Air Force Exchange Service, also known as The Exchange or AAFES. Eligible exchange shoppers can shop at any of the stores, regardless of service branch, including their online stores. Stores support themselves almost completely through their sales income. All profits are used to fund military Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs, and to build or renovate stores. Eligible shoppers include all ranks of active duty, National Guard and reserve members and their families; Medal of Honor recipients and their families; surviving spouses and former spouses; DOD and Coast Guard civilians; veterans with VA service-connected disability ratings; Purple Heart recipients; veterans who are former prisoners of war; and primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the VA caregiver program. All honorably discharged veterans can shop online at the exchanges. The Veterans Online Shopping Benefit does not grant on-installation access, unless the veteran falls into another category, such as having a VA service-connected disability rating. Overseas stores offer many U.S. products that may be difficult to find otherwise, but commands often impose shopping restrictions to limit the sale of U.S. goods on the illegal market. Stateside and overseas exchanges accept major credit cards, and also offer their own credit plan through the joint-exchange Military STAR Card.
