VA Caregiver Pay Chart: PCAFC Stipend Amounts by Tier

According to the 2026 VA Caregiver Pay Chart, the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) pays $1,896–$2,371/month at Tier 1 (62.5%) and $3,034–$3,793/month at Tier 2 (100%), depending on the veteran's locality. The VA Caregiver Pay Chart calculates PCAFC stipend amounts by Tier. 

There are 58 different locality rates across the United States. This article covers exact PCAFC pay by tier and all localities, eligibility requirements, and how to apply. Quickly see how much you can get paid for caregiving with our VA Caregiver Pay Chart.

How Much Does the VA Pay a Caregiver in 2026?

Under 38 CFR §71.15, the VA pays caregivers $1,896–$2,371/month (Tier 1) or $3,034–$3,793/month (Tier 2) in 2026. The VA decides which tier the Primary Family Caregiver qualifies for based on the veteran’s individual care needs. There are two levels. The OPM may change rates year-to-year.

• Tier 1: Veteran needs moderate care. Caregiver stipend is 62.5% of the local monthly rate of GS-4, Step 1.
• Tier 2: The veteran needs intensive daily care. The caregiver stipend is 100% of the GS-4, Step 1 local monthly amount.

To find out which Tier the veteran qualifies for, a PACT clinical team reviews their ADL needs. They assign a VA disability rating based on the personal care needed. To receive Tier 2, the veteran must be “unable to self-sustain in the community” and need intensive daily personal care, with a VA disability rating of 70%+.

VA Caregiver Pay Chart: 2026 Stipend by Locality

Use Ctrl+F / Cmd+F to find your area in the 2026 VA Caregiver Pay Chart and how much the VA pays for a caregiver. Some localities cover multiple states. You can review the Appendix: State-to-Locality Mapping for quick reference.

Which States Have No Named Locality Area?

Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming have flat rates based on the “Rest of U.S.” rate. Use the “Rest of U.S.” rate to calculate the PCAFC monthly stipend.

PCAFC Stipend Tiers Explained: Tier 1 vs. Tier 2

The VA pays PCAFC caregivers at one of two stipend levels based on the veteran’s assessed level of care:

Your tier determines the percentage of the rate that you receive. The veteran’s residence determines the underlying rate.

For example, if the applicable monthly rate in the veteran's area is $3,410, a Tier 1 caregiver would receive $2,131 per month, while a Tier 2 caregiver would receive the full $3,410.

The VA determines the appropriate tier as part of the PCAFC assessment process.

How the Monthly Stipend Rate Is Calculated

The PCAFC Caregiver Stipend formula follows: 

GS-4, Step 1 annual rate (for the veteran's locality) ÷ 12 = monthly stipend rate

Then:

Monthly stipend rate x  Tier %

Illustrative example:

Franklin’s dad is a veteran who needs moderate care. Franklin has acted as caregiver. They live in Seattle. Franklin checks the OPM 2026 Salary Table. 

The annual salary for GS-4, Step 1 for the Seattle-Tacoma, Washington locality is $40,922. To calculate the monthly stipend rate, Franklin applies the formula:

$40,922 (Seattle-Tacoma, Washington locality rate) ÷ 12 = $3,410

Now that Franklin knows the monthly stipend rate, he can calculate the Tier. Because Franklin’s dad needs only moderate care according to the VA’s assessment, Franklin will apply the Tier 1 amount of 62.5%. 

$3,410 x 0.625 = $2,131

Now Franklin knows he will receive a $2,131 PCAFC stipend amount. Payment may change if his dad’s condition worsens and he requires a dependent level of care, or Franklin doesn’t comply with the VA Caregiver Support Program requirements (ex. he stops being his dad’s Primary Family Caregiver). 

Who Qualifies for the PCAFC Stipend?

To qualify for the PCAFC, the veteran must have a VA disability rate of 70%+ and have six months’ need for in-person personal care because they have an inability to perform ADLs or need supervision for their safety. PTSD is a common qualifying condition.

To receive PCAFC caregiver pay, you must be the designated Primary Family Caregiver (spouse, child, parent, extended family, co-resident). There can be up to two additional unpaid Secondary Caregivers. 

Legacy Caregivers: Protected Stipend Rules Through 2028

Some caregivers who were already enrolled in, or had applied to, PCAFC before October 1, 2020 may qualify for legacy caregiver protections. These protections are different from the standard Tier 1 and Tier 2 calculation.

For eligible legacy caregivers, the VA uses a separate three-tier calculation based on the veteran’s clinical assessment score. The resulting amount is then compared with the applicable standard stipend amount, with the caregiver generally receiving whichever calculation provides the higher benefit.

Legacy participants who have not moved may also have an address-based stipend minimum, which can protect their payment from falling below the applicable amount based on where they lived when the legacy protections applied.

These legacy protections are currently scheduled to remain in place through September 30, 2028.

Because legacy stipend calculations depend on the caregiver’s enrollment history, clinical assessment, and other circumstances, caregivers should check their individual PCAFC determination rather than relying solely on the standard Tier 1 or Tier 2 chart.

PCAFC vs. Other VA Caregiver Pay Options

*Veteran-Directed Care was originally called Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services (VD-HCBS). VDC may also be called Cash and Counseling for Veterans, Veterans Community Living Program, CLP-VDHCBS, Veterans Independence Plus Program and Veteran Directed Home Services (VDHS)

Can You Get VA Caregiver Pay and Medicaid Caregiver Pay at the Same Time?

Whether a caregiver can receive pay both from the VA and the state Medicaid Structured Family Caregiving program is state-specific, not a national rule. Confirm with the state Medicaid program and VA Caregiver Support Coordinator regarding your specific situation. 

The VA pays the Primary Family Caregiver their PCFAC stipend directly, so the amount should not count against the veteran’s Medicaid eligibility. However, if the caregiver applies for means-tested benefits for themselves, then they must include their PCFAC caregiver amount when calculating gross income. 

Unlike most state Medicaid SFC programs that exclude spouses, PCFAC allows the spouse to serve as the Primary Family Caregiver. Medicaid Structured Family Caregiving payments are generally considered tax-free “difficulty of care” payments. 

See if your veteran's household qualifies for state-paid caregiving 

Givers Active-State Quick Reference

Check Your Eligibility

Frequently Asked Questions: VA Caregiver Pay Chart

1. How much does the VA pay for a caregiver per month in 2026?

In 2026, the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers pays $1,896–$2,371/month at Tier 1 (62.5%) and $3,034–$3,793/month at Tier 2 (100%), depending on the veteran's locality.

2. What's the difference between VA Caregiver Tier 1 and Tier 2 pay?

Tier 1 pays 62.5% of the local monthly rate. Tier 2 pays 100% of the amount. To qualify for Tier 1, the veteran must be “unable to self-sustain in the community” and have a VA disability rating of 70%. 

3. How is the VA caregiver stipend calculated?

The VA calculates how much VA caregivers get paid using this formula: 

GS-4, Step 1 annual rate (for the veteran's locality) ÷ 12 = monthly stipend rate

Once the VA calculates the monthly stipend rate, it applies either Tier 1 (100%) or Tier 2 (62.5%) to determine the final caregiver amount. 

4. Will the VA caregiver stipend increase in 2026?

In 2026, the PCAFC monthly stipend will increase by 10%, adjust stipends to reflect current cost-of-living, and expand eligibility. 

5. Is the VA caregiver stipend the same in every state?

No. Each state's VA caregiver stipend depends on the  veteran's locality. There is no overarching federal VA caregiver stipend amount.

6. Who qualifies for the PCAFC stipend?

The designated Primary Family Caregiver must care for a veteran who has a VA disability rating of 70%+ (considered “serious injury”) and demonstrate at least six months’ need for in-person care. 

7. Are legacy VA caregivers paid differently than new applicants?

Yes. A legacy caregiver who enrolled prior to October 1, 2020 doesn’t see any decrease in their monthly stipend during the transition period, which ends September 30, 2028. Upon reassessment, the caregiver stipend will reflect the higher monthly calculation as long as the caregiver qualifies under the program. 

8. Is the VA caregiver stipend taxable? 

No. The VA caregiver monthly stipend is an untaxed benefit and doesn’t count as income, much like veteran disability payments.

9. Can I get VA caregiver pay and Medicaid caregiver pay at the same time?

It depends. Getting paid from both VA caregiver pay and Medicaid depends on your specific state program. Speak with your VA Caregiver Support Coordinator about your specific situation.

10. Where can I find the VA's official pay chart for my exact area?

You can find the U.S. Office of Personnel Management 2026 General Schedule Locality Pay tables on the OPM website: OPM GS Pay Tables 

Your exact caregiver stipend depends on the veteran’s locality, but PCAFC isn't the only path to paid caregiving. Givers can check your family for state Medicaid Structured Family Caregiving eligibility in 60 seconds right now.

Check Your Eligibility

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Appendix: State-to-Locality Mapping

Every U.S. county falls into one of the 58 areas in the pay chart table above or falls under the “Rest of U.S.” rate. 

Methodology note: State-to-area assignments above are derived from OPM's locality area names, not pulled county-by-county from OPM's full legal locality definitions document. Accurate for identifying which named areas touch a given state; not precise at the individual-county level for large states with border counties. 

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More Resources

• 2026 OPM General Schedule locality tables
• Giver’s VA Caregiver Support Program Guide
• VA Caregiver Support Program
• VA Disability Rate
• Veteran Affairs 38 CFR §71.15
• Veteran’s Functional Assessment Instrument