Caregiver support
VA Chicago health care offers a number of services to support you and the Veteran you care for. Ask a caregiver support coordinator to help you find what you need, whether it's in-home help, someone to listen, or anything in between.
Services for Family Caregivers of Veterans
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers is available to eligible Veterans who served on or before May 7, 1975 and on or after September 11, 2001 and have a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or more.
PCAFC provides resources, education, support, a financial stipend, health insurance, and beneficiary travel to caregivers of eligible Veterans.
During Phase 2 of the expansion of PCAFC, Veterans who incurred a serious service related injury after May 7, 1975 and before September 11, 2001 and have a single or combined service-connected disability rating of 70% or more will be eligible for PCAFC in October of 2022.
Veterans with a 70% service-connected disability who served either on or after September 11, 2001, or on or before May 7, 1975, and are in need of Caregivers Support should contact their local Caregivers Support Coordinator, or visit our website for more information.
The Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
The Program of General Caregiver Support Services provides resources, education and support to caregivers of Veterans. The Veteran does not need to have a service-connected condition, for which the caregiver is needed, and may have served during any era.
Caregivers who enroll in PGCSS have access to:
- Education and Training to include: in-person courses at local VA medical centers (VAMCs), telephone-based group sessions, online resources and telehealth sessions.
- Clinical support based on your needs and requests. This support may include coaching, supportive counseling, support groups, skills training or peer support mentoring.
- Support services to include VA home and community based care.
To enroll in PGCSS at Jesse Brown VAMC, contact the Caregiver Support Triage Line at
Caregiver Support Program Manager
Connect with a support coordinator
Katherine Miller LCSW
Program of General Caregiver Support Coordinator
VA Chicago health care
Phone:
Email: Katherine.Miller14@va.gov
Cynthia Estelle LCSW
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
VA Chicago health care
Phone:
Email: Cynthia.Estelle@va.gov
Care we provide at VA Chicago health care
If you are a caregiver for a Veteran, you can get support by contacting a VA Chicago caregiver support coordinator. We can help with:
- Getting caregiver assistance available through VA
- Matching you with services and benefits
- Connecting you with local resources and programs
Questions?
The Caregiver Support Line is available if you need support outside of the Chicago region, have questions about caregiver support services nationwide, or just need someone to listen right now.
Phone: 855-260-3274
Jesse Brown Caregiver Support Triage Line: