Program of Comprehensive
Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) - AR96
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
12/06/2024
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/2027
01/31/2027
145,181
110,671
35,451
27,668
0
0
Public Law (P.L.) 111-163, Caregivers
and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 amended title 38
United States Code Chapter 17 by adding a new section, 1720G,
“Assistance and Support Services for Caregivers.” Section 1720G
required the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and
Support Services. Under the law, Primary Family Caregivers may be
eligible to receive a stipend, access to health care coverage,
mental health counseling, comprehensive caregiver education and
training, and expanded respite services. Caregivers also may be
eligible for travel benefits when they accompany the Veteran for
care or attending training. In order to administer these benefits
to caregivers, it is necessary that VA receive information about
the nature of benefit being sought and the persons who will be
serving as caregivers and receiving benefits. This information is
collected with VA Form 10-10CG. The AR96 regulation, in proposed 38
CFR 71.25(a), would require veterans, servicemembers and caregivers
to submit a new joint application to participate in PCAFC and
receive benefits. VA is proposing changes to PCAFC eligibility
requirements. These changes are expected to result in an influx of
new applications in the initial year of implementation, including
from applicants who have previously applied and been denied. The
number of applications submitted to VA is expected to fall back to
more typical numbers after the initial influx. In addition,
requests for certain types of discharges will now be included in
this information collection. Veterans or their Family Caregivers
may request discharge from PCAFC. Such requests may be submitted in
writing or verbally, to include the date such discharge should take
effect. If such request for discharge is due to cases of domestic
violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) by the Veteran
against the Family Caregiver, the provision of a protective order,
police report, or documentation by a treating provider of
disclosure of DV or IPV may be provided to support the provision of
extended benefits to the Family Caregiver upon the discharge.
AR96(P) also sets forth a process for eligible Veterans and Primary
Family Caregivers to request reassessment for continued
eligibility. While a written request is not required, if a written
request is received, such written request may support an earlier
effective date for any increased benefits for which the Family
Caregiver may be eligible based on the reassessment.
PL:
Pub.L. 111 - 163 1720G Name of Law: Caregivers and Veterans
Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010
The anticipated annual number
of responses and burden hours have increased based upon an
anticipated increase in caregiver applications and the addition of
collections for certain types of discharges and requests for
reassessments for continued PCAFC eligibility.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form VA Form 10-10CG Application for Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program
SSA_2900-0768_PCAFC_AR96(P)_updated Dec 2024.docx
Requests for Discharge