New law provides assistance to primary family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans

Veterans, this week we’ll discuss a new program that affects our post-9/11 wounded warriors and the people who are taking care of them — their families.

Family caregivers provide crucial support in caring for Veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes that family caregivers, in a home environment, can enhance the health and well-being of veterans under VA care. Under the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010, additional VA services are now available to seriously injured post-9/11 veterans and their family caregivers through a new program called Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

Who is eligible?

Veterans eligible for this program are those who sustained a serious injury — including traumatic brain injury, psychological trauma or other mental disorder — incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

Veterans eligible for this program must also be in need of personal care services because of an inability to perform one or more activities of daily living and/or need supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment or injury.

To be eligible for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, veterans must first be enrolled for VA health services, if not enrolled previously.

New services available to family caregivers

The new law will provide additional assistance to primary family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans and servicemembers. New services for this group include:

• Monthly stipend

• Travel expenses (including lodging and per diem while accompanying veterans undergoing care)

• Access to health care insurance (if the caregiver is not already entitled to care or services under a health care plan)

• Mental health services and counseling

• Comprehensive VA caregiver training provided by Easter Seals

• Respite care (not less than 30 days per year)

Eligible Veterans may designate one primary family caregiver and up to two secondary family caregivers, if desired. Caregiver support coordinators are available at every VA medical center to assist veterans and their family caregivers with the application process.

Call me for additional information or to set up an appointment at 541-962-8802. I am located at the Center for Human Development, 2301 Cove Ave., La Grande.

Byron Whipple is the Union County veterans service officer.