Noteboom The Law Firm

Some Caregivers for Disabled Veterans Challenge the VA’s Monetary Limits

Those serving as caregivers to injured and disabled veterans fought with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for financial benefits for quite some time under the Caregiver Program. Once the benefits were approved, caregivers were then made to wait months more until they were actually awarded their benefits. Critics of the program are now stating the amount of money awarded is not enough to fairly compensate those caregivers for their work.

The problem, it seems, is the amount of money paid out to caregivers is capped. Caregivers are only paid for 40 hours of work every week. Many caregivers, however, provide more than 40 hours of care, especially those caregivers who are also family members.

The VA's motives behind implementing the cap is not yet known. It is either a financial issue, or the VA has determined that disabled veterans require only a certain amount of care every week. Although not every veteran with a caregiver requires 24-hour care, there are those who do.

The Caregiver Program was designed to help those people providing care for veterans who, without that care, would require institutionalization. More than 3,500 caregivers will qualify for the Caregiver Program benefits, and the amount they will receive will vary.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.