Veteran Caregiver Benefits

VA Caregiver Benefits in Michigan: PCAFC, Veteran-Directed Care & More

If the person you care for is a veteran, Michigan Medicaid programs aren't your only option — the VA has its own ways to pay a family caregiver, including some that allow a spouse. Here's what's actually available.

By Kinwell · 4 min read · Last updated: July 28, 2026

Key Takeaways

The main VA caregiver program is PCAFC (Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers) — a monthly stipend for one approved caregiver, and unlike Home Help, a spouse can qualify.¹
The veteran needs a 70%+ VA disability rating, a discharge (or medical discharge date), at least 6 months of ongoing need for personal care, and VA health care enrollment.¹
Veteran-Directed Care is a different, self-directed option — the veteran gets a budget and hires their own caregivers, with no ban on paying a spouse.²
VA Aid & Attendance is often confused with these programs, but it's a pension increase paid to the veteran, not a direct caregiver stipend.
Kinwell is not contracted with the VA and doesn't administer these programs — but if your veteran also has Michigan Medicaid, Home Help may still be worth checking alongside these.

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Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

PCAFC pays a monthly, tax-free stipend to one approved Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible veteran.¹

The caregiver must be at least 18, and either:

A spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member of the veteran, or
Someone who lives full-time with the veteran (or agrees to)

The veteran must meet all of the following:

A VA disability rating (individual or combined) of 70% or higher
Discharged, or have a medical discharge date, from the military
Need at least six months of continuous, in-person personal care
Be enrolled in VA health care

Approved Primary Family Caregivers get a monthly stipend, CHAMPVA health coverage (if not otherwise insured), legal and financial planning help, at least 30 days of respite care per year, and telehealth mental health access.¹

Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)

VDC works differently — the veteran gets a flexible budget (based on their assessed care needs) and hires and manages their own caregivers directly, similar to Michigan's self-directed Medicaid model.² There's no ban on paying a spouse under this program, since the veteran chooses who to hire.

Eligibility generally requires being enrolled in care at a participating VA Medical Center and needing assistance at a level comparable to nursing home care — typically help with three or more daily activities. In Michigan, the Detroit and Ann Arbor VA Medical Centers refer veterans into VDC through their local Area Agency on Aging.

VA Aid & Attendance — a different kind of benefit

Aid & Attendance often comes up in the same searches as PCAFC and VDC, but it's not a caregiver-pay program. It's an increase to the veteran's (or surviving spouse's) VA pension for those who need help with daily activities. The extra pension money goes to the veteran, who can then choose to use it toward care — including informally compensating a family member — but it isn't paid directly to a caregiver through the VA the way PCAFC or VDC are.

How to apply

Kinwell is not contracted with the VA and doesn't process any of these applications — each one goes directly through the VA.

PCAFC: apply online, by mail (VA Form 10-10CG), or in person at a VA medical center. Both the veteran and caregiver complete parts of the application; the VA then does a home assessment and caregiver training before assigning the caregiver, generally within 90 days.¹
Veteran-Directed Care: start by asking the veteran's VA care team for a referral to the program.
Aid & Attendance: applied for through the VA as part of a pension claim — a VA benefits counselor or accredited representative can help.

Michigan-specific starting points: the local VA medical center (Ann Arbor or Detroit VAMC for most of southeast Michigan) or your local Area Agency on Aging can point you toward the right program and make the referral.

If your veteran also has Michigan Medicaid, check Home Help too.

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Frequently asked

Can my spouse get paid to care for me through the VA? It depends on the program. PCAFC allows a spouse to be the approved Primary Family Caregiver. Veteran-Directed Care also has no ban on paying a spouse, since the veteran directs their own budget and chooses who to hire.

Can I use VA benefits and Michigan Medicaid caregiver pay at the same time? Often, yes — VA caregiver programs and Michigan Medicaid programs like Home Help are administered separately, and combining them is common. The specifics depend on your situation, so confirm with both the VA and Kinwell before assuming.

Is Kinwell contracted with the VA? No — Kinwell is not contracted with the VA and doesn't administer any VA program. Kinwell works within Michigan's Home Help program and MI Coordinated Health. For VA-specific programs, you'd apply directly through the VA. If your veteran also has Michigan Medicaid, Kinwell can check your Home Help eligibility separately. Check your Home Help eligibility →

References

Cited in this article

1
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). va.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/
2
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Veteran-Directed Care. va.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/docs/Veteran-Directed_Care.pdf