The VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) pays a tax-free monthly stipend to eligible family members who care for veterans with serious service-connected injuries or illnesses. In 2026, those monthly payments range from roughly $1,898 to $3,792 depending on where the veteran lives and how much care they need. This guide breaks down the current tier structure, shows amounts by locality area, and explains what changed for caregivers in 2026.
What Is the PCAFC Stipend?
The PCAFC stipend is a monthly payment made directly to a designated Primary Family Caregiver. Only one person per veteran household receives the stipend, though up to two additional secondary caregivers can be named to access other program benefits without receiving direct payment.
The stipend is tax-free and does not count as income for most federal benefit programs. It is separate from any compensation the veteran receives for their disability rating.
Along with the monthly payment, the Primary Family Caregiver also receives:
- Health insurance through CHAMPVA (if not already covered)
- Mental health counseling and support services
- Up to 30 days of respite care per year
- Caregiver training provided by VA
- Travel reimbursement for care-related trips
How the Stipend Is Calculated
The VA does not use a flat national rate. Instead, it ties the stipend to the federal General Schedule (GS) pay system, specifically the GS-4, Step 1 annual salary for the locality pay area where the veteran lives. That rate is divided by 12 to get a monthly base, then multiplied by a tier factor.
The formula:
Monthly Stipend = (GS-4, Step 1 Annual Rate / 12) x Tier Factor
This means your amount changes based on two things: your geographic location and the veteran's assigned care tier.
The Two-Tier Structure in 2026
PCAFC currently uses two care levels for most enrollees:
Level 1 (Tier Factor: 0.625)
The veteran needs assistance with activities of daily living or requires supervision due to cognitive or safety concerns, but is still able to self-sustain in the community with support.
Level 2 (Tier Factor: 1.00)
The veteran meets the VA's definition of "unable to self-sustain in the community." This means they require a more intensive level of personal care, constant supervision, or 24-hour support to remain safely at home.
Level 2 pays 60% more per month than Level 1. The VA's clinical team makes this determination during an in-person or telehealth assessment after you apply.
2026 Monthly Stipend Amounts by Locality
The table below shows estimated 2026 monthly stipend amounts for major VA locality pay areas, calculated from the 2026 GS-4, Step 1 annual rates.
| Locality Pay Area | GS-4 Step 1 Annual | Level 1 Monthly | Level 2 Monthly |
|---|
| Rest of U.S. (default) | $36,434 | ~$1,898 | ~$3,036 |
| Atlanta, GA area | $38,502 | ~$2,005 | ~$3,209 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area | $39,580 | ~$2,061 | ~$3,298 |
| Chicago, IL area | $40,693 | ~$2,119 | ~$3,391 |
| Washington, DC area | $41,659 | ~$2,170 | ~$3,472 |
| Boston, MA area | $41,239 | ~$2,148 | ~$3,437 |
| Los Angeles, CA area | $42,438 | ~$2,210 | ~$3,537 |
| Houston, TX area | $42,039 | ~$2,190 | ~$3,503 |
| New York, NY area | $42,923 | ~$2,236 | ~$3,577 |
| San Jose/San Francisco, CA | $45,503 | ~$2,370 | ~$3,792 |
"Rest of U.S." is the default rate for all areas not specifically listed in the OPM locality pay tables. If you are unsure which area applies to your situation, the VA determines the rate based on the veteran's official address, not the caregiver's address.
To find the exact rate for your area, look up the veteran's locality on the OPM 2026 General Schedule pay tables at opm.gov, then apply the formula above.
Legacy Participant Transition Tiers (Pre-October 2020 Enrollees)
Caregivers who enrolled in PCAFC before October 1, 2020 under the older clinical rating system use a different transitional formula through September 30, 2028. This group is referred to as the "legacy cohort."
Under the legacy formula, three tiers apply based on a numerical clinical rating:
| Clinical Rating | Tier Factor | Approximate Monthly (Rest of U.S.) |
|---|
| 1 to 12 | 0.25 | ~$758 |
| 13 to 20 | 0.625 | ~$1,898 |
| 21 or higher | 1.00 | ~$3,036 |
The VA extended the legacy transition period in late 2025 through a final rule. This means legacy participants will not face reassessments that could reduce their stipend until at least September 30, 2028, with limited exceptions.
What Changed in 2026
Several policy updates affect PCAFC caregivers in 2026:
Eligibility expanded to all service eras. PCAFC now accepts applications from caregivers of veterans who were injured in the line of duty in any service era, not just those who served after September 11, 2001. Pre-9/11 veterans and Vietnam-era veterans whose caregivers had previously been excluded can now apply.
Legacy transition period extended to 2028. A final VA rule extended the transition window for legacy participants, giving these caregivers additional time before any reassessment under the newer tier structure can reduce their payments.
Stipend amounts adjust with GS pay increases. Because the stipend is tied to the GS-4 pay scale, any federal pay increases automatically feed through to caregiver stipends. The 2026 GS pay tables reflect a 1% base pay increase, which produces modest increases in stipend amounts across all localities compared to 2025.
Proposed rule for future changes. The VA published a proposed rule in late 2024 (Federal Register, December 6, 2024) covering additional changes to eligibility criteria, revocation processes, and reassessment procedures. That proposed rule is still moving through final rulemaking and has not yet taken effect as of mid-2026.
Who Is Eligible for the PCAFC Stipend
Both the veteran and the caregiver must meet separate requirements.
Veteran requirements:
- Served in the active military, naval, or air service in any era
- Sustained or aggravated a serious injury or illness in the line of duty
- Has a combined VA disability rating of 70% or higher
- Requires personal care services for at least 6 continuous months (help with activities of daily living, supervision due to cognitive or safety needs, or both)
Caregiver requirements:
- At least 18 years old
- Must be a family member of the veteran or live with the veteran (or agree to live with them upon approval)
- Able to provide the level of personal care the veteran needs
- Must complete required VA caregiver training
The caregiver does not need to be a spouse. Adult children, siblings, parents, and other family members can qualify.
How to Apply for PCAFC
The application requires VA Form 10-10CG. Both the veteran and caregiver must sign it.
Step 1: Download or request VA Form 10-10CG.
Get the form at va.gov/forms/10-10cg or pick it up from your nearest VA medical center.
Step 2: Complete all required fields.
The form asks for the veteran's personal information, service history, medical information, and disability rating. It also asks for caregiver contact information and your relationship to the veteran.
Step 3: Submit the form.
You have three options:
- Apply online at va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers
- Mail the completed form to the 10-10CG Evidence Intake Center in Janesville, WI (address on the form)
- Bring it in person to your VA medical center and give it to the Caregiver Support Coordinator
Step 4: Attend your VA assessment.
After the VA receives your application, a clinical team will contact you to schedule an in-home visit or telehealth assessment. They evaluate the veteran's care needs and assign a tier level. This is what determines your monthly stipend amount.
Step 5: Receive your decision letter.
The VA typically processes applications within 45 to 90 days. If approved, your first stipend payment is usually issued within 30 days of approval. If denied, you have the right to appeal.
For help, call the Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274. You can also find your local Caregiver Support Coordinator at caregiver.va.gov.
You can check whether you may qualify using our free benefits screener before starting the application.
Secondary Caregivers: What They Receive
Secondary caregivers are named on the same 10-10CG application but do not receive the monthly stipend. They are entitled to:
- Mental health services and counseling from VA
- Caregiver training
- Access to respite care days
A veteran household can have one Primary Family Caregiver and up to two Secondary Family Caregivers active at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does the VA reassess my tier level?
The VA can conduct reassessments to review the veteran's care needs. For legacy participants (enrolled before October 1, 2020), reassessments that could lower the stipend are generally prohibited through September 30, 2028, with limited exceptions. For newer enrollees, reassessments can happen periodically, and a change in the veteran's condition can move the caregiver between Level 1 and Level 2.
Is the VA caregiver stipend taxable?
No. The PCAFC monthly stipend is tax-free. It is not considered wages and does not need to be reported as income on your federal tax return.
Can the caregiver work a regular job while receiving the PCAFC stipend?
Yes. There is no work restriction in the PCAFC program. Caregivers can hold outside employment while receiving the stipend, as long as they continue providing the care the veteran needs and meeting program requirements.
What happens if the veteran's condition improves?
If the veteran no longer meets the minimum care requirements, the VA may reassess and potentially discharge the caregiver from the program. You can appeal any discharge decision through the VA appeals process.
Can a veteran have more than one Primary Family Caregiver?
No. Only one person can be designated as the Primary Family Caregiver at a time. However, the designated caregiver can be changed by submitting a new VA Form 10-10CG.
Does CHAMPVA have a premium or cost-sharing?
CHAMPVA generally has no premiums. There is a deductible and a cost-sharing structure for services, but many veterans' family caregivers find it provides meaningful coverage at low out-of-pocket cost compared to private insurance.
My veteran is pre-9/11. Can we still apply?
Yes. As of 2020, PCAFC eligibility expanded to veterans of all service eras. If the veteran meets the disability rating and care need requirements, the service era is no longer a disqualifying factor.
How do I find out which locality pay area applies to us?
The VA uses the veteran's official residence address to determine the locality pay area, not the caregiver's address. If you are unsure, ask your Caregiver Support Coordinator or call 1-855-260-3274. You can also use the OPM locality pay finder at opm.gov to look up a zip code.
What if we live in a rural area not listed in the locality tables?
Rural areas not assigned to a named metropolitan locality pay area fall into the "Rest of U.S." category, which has a 17.06% locality adjustment. For 2026, that puts the Level 1 stipend at approximately $1,898 per month and Level 2 at approximately $3,036 per month.
To see what other VA and federal benefits you may qualify for, use our free eligibility screener. It takes about five minutes and covers 11+ programs at once.
