Veterans Program for Family Caregivers Fills Major Need

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 26 May 2011 - Updated: 23 Mar 2022

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Overview - Related Content

Synopsis

Disabled Veterans and the family members who care for them will get much needed assistance through the enhanced VA benefits program.

Overview

Disabled Veterans and the family members who care for them will get much-needed assistance through the enhanced VA benefits program. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, family members who provide care for Veterans who were severely injured in Iraq and Afghanistan can now apply for caregiver benefits through a new program it has launched in partnership with the Easter Seals.

It's a key move that will improve support for the thousands of family caregivers who have made significant sacrifices to care for their loved ones. Disabled Veterans face an incredible amount of challenges when they return home from war. First, they are coping with the quality-of-life changes an illness or injury has caused. Then they have to address the other burdens that arise, such as the financial losses they might incur when a family caregiver must quit his or her job to provide 24-hour care.

Successful applicants for the VA program will be eligible for services that include a monthly stipend, comprehensive training, mental health services and health insurance, according to a VA press release.

The program is only open to post-9/11 Veterans and was authorized by the Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010. However, family caregivers of disabled Veterans from other eras may become eligible in the future after Congress reviews its progress in two years. Under the current program, the VA will be able to serve 3,500 families, an Associated Press article says.

If the program does expand, it will provide significant help for family caregivers and injured Veterans who having been living for years with problems like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, fibromyalgia and the complications of toxic exposure.

However, compiling the necessary paperwork for veterans' disability claims can be time-consuming and confusing. Attorneys who are experienced with veterans' claims can help smooth the application process or appeal the decision if the claim is denied.

The bottom line is that nobody wants to see disabled Veterans and their caregivers denied access to a program that will provide compensation and support to deal with the challenges they face. It's important for those deserving families to understand that there are legal remedies available to help them if problems arise.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.