Family & Caregiver Recognition
The barrier veterans are experiencing
The Caregiver Recognition Benefit pays approximately $1,239/month — far less than what a family caregiver loses when leaving work to support a disabled veteran. Under the Pension Act, Attendance Allowance provides over $25,000/year with five grade levels. Family members currently have only derivative rights to benefits and cannot access VAC programs independently.
What VANCA is advocating for
VANCA advocates for a graded caregiver allowance that reflects the true cost of caregiving; independent rights for spouses and children to access benefits, rehabilitation, and education; and family benefits that parallel Pension Act spousal and child allowances for all veterans receiving PSC.
How this may affect you and your family
If your family has reorganized their lives to care for you, the recognition they receive may not reflect the weight of what they carry. VANCA believes families deserve support in their own right — not only as an extension of a veteran's file.