Sponsored
VeTALKX: Caregiver & Survivor Q&A with VA and Community Partners
32.5K
76
102
On November 16th the Department of Veterans Affairs and our community partners, to include Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network, Blue Star Families, and Elizabeth Dole Foundation were here to answer questions about caregiver support, survivor resources, benefits, memorial affairs, and mental wellness.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
American Red Cross
Blue Star Families
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Responses: 31
My USAF RETIRED husband passed 1/3/22. He was awarded the Bronize Star in Vietnam. Tet Offensive. He was presented with the medals which we have. However, I want a Bronze Star on his headstone. I have written to get it but they say there is no record of it being given to him. Where can I go to next. I know a lot of records have been lost and buildings burned down. He really deserves this honor. A Korea/Vietnam vet. 21 years of service and a simple medal they can't find. It's very discouraging.
RDML Ann Duff
Charlotte -- please reach out to the Office of Survivor Assistance at [login to see] and we'll see how we can help
AB Bonnie Carroll
Charlotte, please let me offer my sincere condolences for the loss of your precious husband. He proudly served his country and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is honored to have the opportunity to now serve you and your family. Please know that you can reach out to TAPS at any time with any questions or concerns, as well as simply talk via our toll-free number [login to see] ). Additionally, our Casework team would be honored to try to help you navigate possible record requests and amending his headstone. Please reach out to us at your convenience at [login to see] .
Question for Leah: why aren’t the inability to perform ISDLs considered eligible criteria for the veteran in order for family member to be accepted into the Family Caregiver Program? ISDLs being instrumental activities if daily living: management of finances, transportation, meals, communication and medications. Thank you.
Leah Christensen
Sandra, the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers is based on Public Law 111-163 and the Code of Federal Regulations (38 CFR Part 71) Final Rule. VA is currently taking an expansive look at the eligibility criteria to best meet the needs of Veterans and caregivers of all eras. Thank you.
I have been the caregiver for my husband for several years. As a spouse am I eligible for caregiver benefits? What are the qualifications?
Leah Christensen
Marilyn, thank you providing care to your Veteran. VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) has two different programs to offer support to all era Veterans, the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and the Program for General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS). Please reach out to your local VA's CSP team https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/New_CSC_Page.asp and check out the information available on http://www.caregiver.va.gov for information regarding eligibility for the 2 different programs.
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
My dad died and my mom is eligible for his pension however, the VA stopped sending it and my mom lost her house and went homeless, She an elderly disabled senior citizen and we need assistance with getting her pension for aid and attendance
AB Bonnie Carroll
Thank you for raising your concerns, Kenya. Please let me offer my sincere condolences for the loss of your father. He proudly served his country and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is honored to have the opportunity to now serve you and your family. Please know that you can reach out to TAPS at any time with any questions or concerns, as well as simply talk via our toll-free number [login to see] ). When a veteran passes away, the pension and/or compensation they were receiving does stop. In turn, surviving spouses should submit an application for possible survivor benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you mother would like to learn more or requires assistance in the process, from applying to checking the status, please encourage her to reach out to the TAPS Casework team at [login to see] . We are standing at the ready to assist her.
i am in a wheel chair and not walking, i've been trying to get my best friend and room mate to get approved as my care giver for about 3-4 years. they keep deigning me the help i need. i feel i've been disrespected and abused from the care giver progem. please advise and help me. thank you.
Leah Christensen
SSG Belschner, thank you for your service and for reaching out. We want to make sure to share some information here about your rights. If you disagree, in whole or in part, with a Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) decision, there are options for you to appeal or to request a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) review of the decision. Your options depend on the date we issued your PCAFC decision. There are multiple options available for Veterans and caregivers who disagree with a Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) decision. When Caregiver Support Program (CSP) receives a review or appeal requests, teams within the Caregiver Support Program review the form to ensure it is correctly filled out. From there, it is placed in queue for the experts to complete the request. These requests are then managed in the order in which they are received. At this time, due to details and variances of each case, the CSP is unable to provide an exact timeline of how long it may take for the completion of a review or appeal request. We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions, please reach out to your CSP team. To find your local team, please visit: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/New_CSC_Page.asp
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
I, too, need to know what resources will be available for me when my terminally I’ll vet husband passes away.
Leah Christensen
Jeanette, thank you for caring for your Veteran. We want to make sure you are connected to the Caregiver Support Program team at your local VA. This team can help you access the resources available now and help you plan for the future. Please find the link below for the contact information for your team. Please take good care of yourself. https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/New_CSC_Page.asp
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
AB Bonnie Carroll
Jeanette, we understand looking for support in the midst of your grief can be difficult, so I applaud you looking for resources now. Please know that you can reach out to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) at any time with any questions or concerns, as well as simply talk via our toll-free number. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones. If you or your family could use our support, the TAPS 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline is always available toll-free with loving support and resources at 800.959.TAPS (8277).
My question is for Major Carroll. My brother-in-law was a navy Vietnam veteran that was exposed to agent orange and was receiving a VA benefit. HE passed away Sep. 18 2023. Will his spouse continue to receive a benefit from the VA?
AB Bonnie Carroll
Thank you for your question and your service to our great nation, CPL Kaput. When a veteran passes away, the pension and/or compensation they were receiving does stop. In turn, surviving spouses and eligible dependents should submit an application for possible survivor benefits, such as the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and/or Survivor Pension, through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you or your family would like to learn more and/or require assistance in the process, from applying to checking the status, please reach out to the TAPS Casework team at [login to see] . We would be honored to assist.
I am a veteran with a 90% disability rating. My wife is an also a veteran with no disability rating. Here’s the paradox. My wife is legally blind, has state 4 cancer, and requires the use of a walker for mobility. She doesn’t qualify for caregiver support. I am the caregiver, but because she has no disability rating she can’t get caregiver support. I, being disabled qualify for caregiver support, but I am the caregiver. I am also taking care of a daughter, age 39 who is mentally impaired but functional, as well as a grandson, age 29, with mild Aspergers. What caregiver support if any do my wife and I qualify for?
Melissa Comeau
TSgt Kyle Wright That is a lot to be managing. The Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network would be honored to support you as a Veteran and as a caregiver. You are welcome to join us https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html
Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
The Military Veteran Caregiver Network provides our nation’s pre- and post-9/11-era military and veteran caregivers with peer support.
TSgt Kyle Wright
Melissa Comeau - Thank you for your response and I will definitely check out your website.
Leah Christensen
TSgt Wright, thank you for you and your wife's service and for your role as a caregiver to so many loved ones. We are here to support you and get you connected with the resources available in your community. Please reach out to your local facility Caregiver Support Program team as they can provide you with more information. There is a link below where you can find your local team. Please take good care of you. https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/New_CSC_Page.asp
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
TSgt Kyle Wright
Leah Christensen - Thank you for your response. I have left a voice mail with the Caregiver Support Office at Hunter Holmes VA.
Can someone tell me what exactly the caregiver needs to do in order to be approved?
Melissa Comeau
Thank you so much for your question. I found this fact sheet with information from the VA PCAFC. I hope it helps https://www.caregiver.va.gov/pdfs/FactSheets/CSP_Eligibility_Criteria_Factsheet.pdf
Leah Christensen
A1C Sailors, thank you for your service. VA Caregiver Support Program has two different programs to offer support to all era Veterans, the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and the Program for General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS). Please reach out to your local facility CSP team https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/New_CSC_Page.asp and check out the information available on for information regarding eligibility for both programs: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/support_benefits.asp
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
My wife passed away on October 29, 2023. I had been her caregiver for about 19 months. I am a 79 year old disabled Veteran who now lives alone with my two dogs and a cat. Is there anywhere I can go for some kind of support. I have a lot of disabilit5ies, diabetes PTSD neuropathy, high blood pressure, I see an Onco0logist every four months, and more. Does th4e VA have a way of checking on me to make sure I am okay. It would cause me pain to have my pets maybe die of starvation if I passed.. I am still able to get around, drive go shopping etc, though sometimes it is difficult. Just checking in case I get worse and cannot get around so good.
Sgt Ed McEvoy
Hi Bill, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Have you been to a Vet Center before? Vet Centers provide a variety of practical, recreational, and therapeutic counseling services in a warm welcoming environment. Our services are free, and your local Vet Center can help you navigate VA, local, and state benefits, including connecting you to vetted organizations in your community. These services are available in person or virtually. You can find your local Vet Center by using the VA locator https://www.va.gov/find-locations/ or I am more than happy to connect you myself. I see that you are a Vietnam Veteran, thank you for your service, and welcome home.
-Ed
-Ed
Find VA Locations | Veterans Affairs
Find a VA medical center, clinic, hospital, national cemetery, or VA regional office near you. You can search by city, state, postal code, or service. You'll get wait times and directions.
AB Bonnie Carroll
Thank you for your service, SGT Braniff, and joining us today with RallyPoint. There are social workers in every Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, Medical Center and Vet Center to help you get the care you need. I would also recommend connecting with your local Veteran Center through the resource provided by Sgt McEvoy. Additionally, you can also identify your local VA Health Care System Social Work Leaders at: https://www.socialwork.va.gov/Social_Work_Leaders.asp
Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google