Estimate your monthly PCAFC stipend based on the veteran's disability, care needs, and your location — up to $2,847/month.
Light care needs — some daily assistance
Moderate care — regular daily assistance
Intensive care — continuous daily support
Higher ratings typically correlate with greater care needs, but tier is determined by VA assessment.
The VA adjusts stipends by local median home health aide wages.
Only primary caregivers receive the monthly stipend. Secondary caregivers receive other benefits but no stipend.
Your tier will be determined by a VA clinical assessment that evaluates the veteran's activities of daily living, cognitive status, and overall medical needs.
⚠️ This is an estimate only. The VA uses a complex formula based on the national median home health aide wage and geographic adjustments. Your actual stipend is determined after a formal VA caregiver assessment.
The application process starts with VA Form 10-10CG. Our guided form builder walks you through every step.
Apply for PCAFC →The VA calculates the PCAFC caregiver stipend based on the national median wage for a home health aide, adjusted by a geographic wage index for your county/region and multiplied by a tier factor reflecting the veteran's care needs.
The three tiers are determined through a VA clinical assessment:
In 2026, the national median home health aide wage is approximately $17.83/hour, which serves as the base for calculations. The Tier 3 maximum (~$2,847/month) represents approximately 160 hours/month at the national median rate.
The PCAFC stipend ranges from approximately $848/month (Tier 1) to $2,847/month (Tier 3) in 2026. The exact amount depends on the veteran's assessed care tier and your geographic location.
The VA assigns a tier based on a clinical assessment of the veteran's care needs — specifically activities of daily living, cognitive status, and medical complexity. Higher care needs = higher tier = higher stipend.
The primary caregiver of an eligible veteran. The veteran must have a serious injury or illness incurred in service, require personal care for 6+ continuous months, and be enrolled in VA healthcare. Since PACT Act expansion, pre-9/11 veterans may now qualify.
Yes. The VA adjusts the stipend by a geographic wage index based on local home health aide wages. Veterans in high-cost metro areas receive higher stipends than those in rural regions.
Yes. Unlike TDIU, there is no employment restriction for PCAFC caregivers. You can maintain part-time or full-time employment while receiving the caregiver stipend, as long as you continue to provide the required care.