Eligible veterans, servicemembers, and family
caregivers can apply for benefits online at: www.caregiver.va.gov
(Washington, D.C.) –
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Veterans’
Affairs Committee, applauded the announcement by the Department of Veterans of
Affairs (VA) that they have started accepting and processing applications for
the critical caregiver benefits program. After only a week and a half, the
VA has assisted over 625 veterans, servicemembers, and caregivers apply to
receive the new benefits provided under the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus
Health Services Act of 2010. This program will provide much-needed and
long-awaited financial and health care support to family members caring for
severely wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
“I’m very pleased that
in the first week and a half of accepting applications for this critical
program, the VA has helped more than 625 veterans, servicemembers, and family
caregivers start the process to receive new benefits,” said Chairman Murray. “Family members who
have left behind careers, lives, and responsibilities to care for their loved
ones while they recover from wounds they suffered defending our country can
finally start receiving the financial support and care they need and deserve.”
Applications can be
processed by telephone through the Caregiver Support Line at (855) 260-3274, in
person at a VA medical Center with a Caregiver Support Coordinator, by mail or
online at www.caregiver.va.gov with
the new Caregiver Application (VA Form 1010-CG). The website application
also features a chat option that provides the Family Caregiver with a live
representative to assist in completing the application form.
As Chairman of the Senate
Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Murray has led congressional efforts to push the
VA to stop delaying the implementation of the caregivers’ benefits programs and
restore the eligibility criteria to the intent of Congress when the Caregivers
program was passed last year. In fact, since the criteria limiting eligibility
for certain caregivers was announced by the VA in early February of this
year Senator Murray has taken numerous steps to fight the decision including:
- Personally
discussing the issue with President Obama in the Oval Office, - Questioning
VA Secretary Eric Shinseki on the program changes and delays in front of
her Committee, - Sending a bi-partisan
letter, cosigned by 17 other Senators, calling on the Administration to end
delays in moving forward with the law, and - Joining with leaders
of the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees to call on President
Obama to stop the VA from severely limiting the benefit.
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