(Washington, D.C.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle (D, NY-25) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R, AZ-6) announced they have introduced the Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Re-employment, and Retirement (Veteran Caregiver RRR) Act—legislation designed to give caregivers compensated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) the support and access to benefits they deserve.
“Veteran caregivers dedicate their time and energy to supporting our veterans when they need it most—and it’s incumbent upon all of us to never forget the sacrifices they make,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “The bipartisan Veteran Caregiver RRR Act would help provide stability for caregivers compensated through the PCAFC program and ensure they have the same benefits provided to other members of our workforce. I’m proud to partner with my colleague Congressman Ciscomani on this important issue, and I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation into law, because supporting our veterans and their caregivers should never be a partisan issue.”
“When our veterans come home, they deserve to receive high-quality care they earned in service to our nation,” said Congressman Ciscomani, who represents nearly 80,000 veterans and serves on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “As we strive to care for those who served, we must understand that the sacrifices made also impact the family members and caregivers who dedicate themselves to caring for the veteran in their time of need. This legislation, which I am proud to co-lead with Rep. Morelle, ensures that those who care for our nation’s heroes are properly compensated and receive expanded access to workforce training and benefits for the invaluable work they do.”
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) was created in 2010 to provide a monthly income for caregivers of disabled (>70% rating) veterans. Today, there are over 55,000 caregivers participating in the program. The Veteran Caregiver RRR Act would increase and extend certain benefits to PCAFC caregivers.
Members of the PCAFC as well as other veteran caregivers can have gaps in their resumes and lose their employment certifications while providing services for their loved one. When their loved one either passes away or returns to independent functioning, caregivers need to return to the workplace and have to address these issues. And a few caregivers who only receive Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) as an insurance benefit through PCAFC lose health insurance within 90 days of leaving PCAFC through the death or discharge of the veteran. In other insurance programs, members have 180 days to transition their health insurance benefits.
To address these issues, this legislation would:
- Provide former caregivers with bereavement counseling and funds to renew their professional certifications;
- Allow former caregivers to participate in VA employment assistance programs;
- Study the possibility of allowing caregivers to make contributions to Social Security and other types of existing retirement accounts, the feasibility of caregivers being allowed to participate in a Department of Labor returnship program, and the possibility of the VA incorporating former caregivers into the VA workforce as personal care attendants, enabling the VA to lessen staff shortages;
- Give Medicare ineligible caregivers the option to keep their CHAMPVA health insurance received through the Caregiver Support Program for 180 days rather than the current 90 days.
This bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Hirono (D-HI) and Moran (R-KS). Numerous nationwide veterans’ advocacy groups support this legislation, including: the Quality of Life Foundation, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Wounded Warrior Project, and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
Andrea Sawyer, Advocacy Director for the Wounded Veteran Family Care Program of the Quality of Life Foundation, said: “Quality of Life Foundation is thankful that Representatives Morelle and Ciscomani have taken the economic plight of veteran family caregivers seriously. The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act would allow caregivers the opportunity to address economic concerns that have plagued veteran caregivers since time began. We voluntarily leave our jobs to care for our warriors at a much younger age than most caregivers leave the workspace. We do so at great economic impact to ourselves, but with love and devotion for our warriors. This bill would address economic concerns that veteran caregivers face when their caregiving years end by allowing them financial assistance to regain their professional certificates lost while caregiving, allow them to take advantage of Department of Labor returnships and fill VA personal care positions, and study the creation of retirement savings vehicles for caregivers that do not currently exist due to the unearned income status of VA family caregivers. The passage of this legislation would have a large economic impact on those caregivers who save the VA millions of dollars a year while caring for their loved ones and our nation’s injured and ill veterans.”
MOAA President & CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret) said: “Just as our veterans answered the call to serve our nation, their caregivers also answered the call to step up and serve them. These dedicated individuals put their own futures on hold—sacrificing financial security, career advancement, and personal well-being—to fulfill the nations promise to take care of our veterans and provide the care veterans deserve. Yet, when their caregiving roles end—whether due to ineligibility for VA caregiver program services or the passing of their loved one—many are left without the support they need to rebuild their lives. The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act is not just an act of gratitude—it’s part of fulfilling a promise on behalf of our nation. MOAA deeply appreciates Representatives Morelle and Ciscomani for once again championing this vital legislation, and we urge Congress to support those who stepped up and sacrificed so much.”
Jose Ramos, Vice President of Government and Community Relations at the Wounded Warrior Project, said: “Caregivers are hidden heroes who often place their own needs and pursuits behind those of the severely wounded warriors they care for. As caregiving situations change, or if the worst happens and a warrior passes away, we need to ensure that caregivers are supported as they move to the next phase of their lives, whether that means receiving additional education, re-entering the workforce, or deciding to retire. The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act is crucial legislation that will help ensure caregivers can support themselves, care more effectively for their wounded warrior, and look forward to a strong and empowering future, and WWP is grateful for Representatives Ciscomani’s and Morelle’s leadership on these important issues.”
Steve Schwab, Chief Executive Officer of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, said: “At the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, we are dedicated to growing and sustaining the economic mobility of military and veteran caregivers, their veterans, and families. We know, however, from our latest RAND study that too many military and veteran caregiving families are struggling financially and are unable to plan for retirement, find suitable employment, or access educational opportunities. Therefore, we are so pleased to see the introduction of the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act to address these critical needs, and we thank Representatives Morelle and Ciscomani for their ongoing commitment to supporting our nation’s military and veteran caregivers.”
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