New Family Caregiver Program for Post-9/11 Veterans

It's finally here!!  More than a year after President Obama signed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act, the VA announced they will accept applications starting May 9, 2010.

What does that mean for us?  Caregiver training, 30 days of respite care per year, a monthly stipend, mental health services available for me, and health care coverage.

The process goes as follows:

• Apply (check!)
• Complete Interview (check!)
• Doctor's Assessment (check!)
• Complete Caregiver Training/Test (awaiting workbooks--nearest in-person training is in Des Moines, IA)
• Home Visit (to be completed following training)

Once the home visit is completed, Sean will be rated and a montly stipend will be alloted starting in July with retroactive pay to the date of application.

Disclaimer:  This is the VA. . . not always known for swift action or satisfactory results.  Thus far every step has worked exactly the way it was supposed to. However, I am still crossing fingers and toes that it continues.

It's about time caregivers were given recognition and appreciation (and PAY) for what we are already doing every day.  We know our veterans best, we want what is best for them, and finally, someone is listening.

More information is available at the VA Caregiver Support site
Family Caregiver Program