Morelle introduces legislation to provide some assistance to caregivers of veterans

Press Release, Congressman Joe Morelle

ROCHESTER – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced the introduction of his Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Re-employment, and Retirement (Veteran Caregiver RRR) Act: bipartisan legislation to support veteran caregivers and ensure they have access to the benefits they deserve.

Joe Morelle

“When our veterans return home from the theatre of war, it’s critical they receive the world-class care they deserve—and we cannot leave behind their caregivers, who dedicate their time and energy to supporting our nation’s best and bravest,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m proud to have authored this legislation to ensure caregivers have the same benefits and stability provided to other members of our workforce. I’m especially pleased this bill is bipartisan, because supporting our caregivers shouldn’t be controversial—it’s an essential part of uplifting our veterans, which is why I look forward to passing this legislation into law.”

The federal Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) was created in 2010 to provide a monthly income for caregivers to 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 to encourage more participants and better retain existing participants including employment assistance, retirement planning, bereavement counseling, and more.

Specifically, this legislation would:

• Ensure family caregivers enrolled in the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) remain enrolled for up to 180 days following their dismissal from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, unless they have been dismissed for fraud, abuse or mistreatment.
• Require VA to reimburse family caregivers up to $1,000 for fees associated with maintaining the caregiver’s professional licensure and allow family caregivers to access VA training modules for the purpose of gaining credit for continuing professional education requirements.
• Require VA, in consultation with the Departments of Defense and Labor, to allow family caregivers access to certain employment assistance programs.
• Require VA to provide retirement planning services and/or assistance returning to the workforce to family caregivers.
• Require VA to provide bereavement counseling and support for former family caregivers when their veteran loved one passes away.
• Study the feasibility and advisability of establishing a returnship program for family caregivers to assist them in reentering the workforce following their time as a caregiver.
• Study barriers and incentives to hiring former family caregivers to work for VA.
• Study the feasibility and advisability of establishing a retirement plan for family caregivers.

This bill is co-sponsored in the House by Representative Ciscomani (R, AZ-6) and in the Senate by Senators Sinema (I-AZ) and Moran (R-KS). Numerous nationwide veterans’ advocacy groups also support this legislation, including: the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Quality of Life Foundation, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the American Legion.

Shannon Sander, the Department of New York DAV Commander, said: “When veteran caregivers make the noble choice to selflessly serve their loved one, they knowingly do so at the expense of their professional lives. This bill begins to correct an unintended hindrance for caregivers who require more employment and retirement support than currently available. They didn’t turn their backs on their veteran when needed the most, and we must remember how their sacrifice impacts their lives when the caregiving mission ends.”

To learn more about the Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Re-employment, and Retirement (Veteran Caregiver RRR) Act, read the full text of the bill by clicking here.