VA caregiver program

zoobat said:
For all the folks who can't get the Scaadl calculator to work. I had success with using Firefox on my husband's tablet.
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Hmm, good to know; appreciate the feedback! Take care and enjoy life! :cool:

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
zoobat said:
Well, I also applied as caregiver for my husband. Wednesday is his visit with his VA doc to fill out some form??? Should I put down any notes beforehand? What does the doc want to know? He only met her one time and isn't exactly happy with her.(she tried to give him yoga exercises which he can't do) Since his last visit with her he got a TENS unit and it is now necessary that I aid him with some bathroom issues. What's after this appointment , the nurse visit or the training? Who determines the tier level? I manage all finances, go to all appointments with him, I make the appointments, order meds, supervise that he takes them, cook, make sure he showers, take care of his feet(diabetic) , help getting him dressed, clean and maintain his CPAP, help him with his TENS... in addition we also have two learning disabled kids and our oldest is just like him bipolar. So no way I can work. I don't even like leaving the youngest with him alone. Yesterday he told her she could go outside wearing only her bathing suit.(it was in the 50s!!!)
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Indeed, we applied for the DoVA Caregiver Support Program on September 19, 2014 then called for an updated status at the local VAMC and the Caregiver Support Coordinator (CSC) stated that the "clinical eligibility assessment is being scheduled and will receive an e-mail upon scheduling completion." Note that the CSC's attitude was borderline rude & unprofessional but we shall handle that event upon the approval of our VA Caregiver Support application for sure!

In order to be approved as a Primary Family Caregiver and receive a stipend, all four distinct steps must be completed within 45 days from the date that the application was received by the DoVA albeit exceptions may be granted. If exceptions are granted by the DoVA, all four distinct steps must be completed in 90 days of the application or re-application is required.

As such, the four distinct steps with the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers application process are listed below as follows:

Step One: Veteran Assessment - A team from VA will coordinate arrangements to complete a clinical eligibility assessment. This will include evaluating what assistance the Veteran needs with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, grooming, and/or need for supervision or protection.

Step Two: Caregiver Assessment - The CSC will complete a Primary Family Caregiver assessment to review the care giving role and responsibilities as well as certifying the Caregiver's ability to provide personal care services and/or supervision or protection. A Release of Information and Caregiver certification will be required.

Step Three: Caregiver Training - Training is completed by the Primary and Secondary Family Caregiver once it is determined the Veteran meets clinical eligibility criteria. Training can be completed in one of three ways:

1) Attending the Family Caregiver classroom training (we highly recommend this option, though locations and availability may vary);

2) Completing the training online (this is a quick and interactive way to complete the training); or

3) Self-study using a workbook and DVD that will be mailed to you.

Step Four: In-Home Visit - Once the Primary Family Caregiver has completed training, a DoVA clinician will conduct a home visit. The purpose of this visit is to make sure that the Primary Family Caregiver and Veteran has everything they need to be safe and successful in the home setting.

After the In-Home Visit is completed and the DoVA Caregiver Support application is reviewed and approved, the Primary Family Caregiver will begin receiving a monthly stipend based on the Veteran's level of need and required assistance.

To an extent that the Veteran and Primary Family Caregiver disagree with the decision of the Veteran's clinical assessment tier level (1, 2, or 3), an appeal may be filed at the VAMC to have the VAMC Director or designee review the dispute.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
How long did it take everyone to get a call after you applied? I haven't been contacted yet. Hoping to hear from them soon.
 
I dont't remember exactly. I called them on a Thursday, maybe two weeks after I send the letter. She said she'd call the next week , as she had some folks in front of me. But then I got a call the next morning. She asked me about all the things I do for my husband. Even "normal" stuff like cooking and cleaning. Make a list and keep it by the phone so you can tell them everything. In our case she said it looks like I would qualify. Next step was to get an appointment with his VA doc to fill out some form. THis is what took the longest, its not until tomorrow. Good luck for you Guys.
 
Back from the doc. The whole thing started a hour late but went well. According to his PCP my husband will be in tier 3. Called the caregiver manager and she will ask me a few more questions and then set me up with the training and whatever else. He will also get a cane or walker to help with his mobility.
 
zoobat said:
Back from the doc. The whole thing started a hour late but went well. According to his PCP my husband will be in tier 3. Called the caregiver manager and she will ask me a few more questions and then set me up with the training and whatever else. He will also get a cane or walker to help with his mobility.
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All right; good deal and congratulation! :D

Albeit, please keep in mind that the DoVA Caregiver Support is a "temporary" program only. It may seem that after receiving benefits for 1 year maybe even 24 months, the notice for discontinuation of Caregiver Support services suddenly arrives via USPS first-class mail! :(

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
Can anyone look up zip 10707? I'm having trouble with the calculator accepting my zip code. Thank you
 
usmcgeorge said:
Can anyone look up zip 10707? I'm having trouble with the calculator accepting my zip code. Thank you
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Indeed, as I often state, ask and you shall receive...:)

Enter the ZIP code of the geographic location where the Service member currently resides: 10707

For the "New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division" area, an approved VA caregiver for "WESTCHESTER" county in the location of "Eastchester, NY" at a Local Hourly Wage of "$11.73" is...
  • Tier 1 is looking at $510.26 for a monthly stipend amount (e.g., 10 hours of care)
  • Tier 2 is looking at $1,275.64 for a monthly stipend amount (e.g., 25 hours of care)
  • Tier 3 is looking at $2,041.02 for a monthly stipend amount (e.g., 40 hours of care)
NOTE the "Disclaimer: These compensation rates are subject to change based on revisions made to Bureau of Labor Statistics wage rates."

Moreover, please read the article entitled Hobbled VA Caregiver Program Dims Changes of Expansion at URL http://www.pebforum.com/site/threads/hobbled-va-caregiver-program-dims-change-of-expansion.24037/ for one person's perspective about the VA Caregiver Program. Take care and enjoy life! :cool:

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
Did the online training last week Tuesday. wow that was a case of "death by power point" !!! lol. 24 hours later I got the email confirmation and I called the support coordinator the next day to make a home visit appointment. Downfall is- wee live so far from the VA that they can only send a nurse out on Saturday. So 11.15 at 10.30 they will come to do whatever they do. My husband's 45th birthday!!!
 
zoobat said:
Did the online training last week Tuesday. wow that was a case of "death by power point" !!! lol. 24 hours later I got the email confirmation and I called the support coordinator the next day to make a home visit appointment. Downfall is- wee live so far from the VA that they can only send a nurse out on Saturday. So 11.15 at 10.30 they will come to do whatever they do. My husband's 45th birthday!!!
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All right; good deal and pre-happy 45th birthday to your husband! :D

As for us, we are still awaiting the results of the Caregiver assessment to find out the tier level! In addition, my wife received a voice mail message a couple of days ago stating that the Caregiver training printed material shall be forwarded to the address on file via UPS; she prefers the online training instead..."death by PowerPoint" for sure!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
Warrior644 said:
All right; good deal and pre-happy 45th birthday to your husband! :D

As for us, we are still awaiting the results of the Caregiver assessment to find out the tier level! In addition, my wife received a voice mail message a couple of days ago stating that the Caregiver training printed material shall be forwarded to the address on file via UPS; she prefers the online training instead..."death by PowerPoint" for sure!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
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It'll be interesting for sure. He doesn't like strangers in the house at all. It's his safe spot and normally only a select few are allowed to come. Some church elders&members and one neighbor. I'll make sure he has a Batman cake and the new Batman stamps the they just released.
Now we just have to survive the dreaded trip to the Robley Rex in Louisville Kentucky to get his diabetic foot care done. Too
many folks in one place for him
 
wtuwife said:
My husband was offically retired Jan 10th of this year, since the we have applied for and been granted crsc, 80% va rating, ssd, and I was just approved for the VA family caregiver program. I have walked my husband through everything to make sure no one else is in control of our lives or finances. (He is a stay at home at dad now, and I still work full time) We are currently waiting on approval for the individual unemployability claim and I will update on this once it is received. If anyone wants any help with where to start or forms I would be more than willing to give advice and so forth just to help.
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How are you today...i would love the step by step advise..I'm currently medically retired and have seizures a day..I was awarded 80% from the dod and 100% from the va ( still waiting on actual letter)
 
psd1234 said:
can somebody look up the zip codes 02169 and 19056. Thank you.
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Welcome to the PEB Forum! :)

Indeed, as I often state, ask and you shall receive...;)

Enter the ZIP code of the geographic location where the Service member currently resides: 02169

For the "Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division" area, an approved VA caregiver for "NORFOLK" county in the location of "Houghs Neck, MA" at a Local Hourly Wage of "$14.60" is...
  • Tier 1 is looking at $635.10 for a monthly stipend amount (e.g., 10 hours of care)
  • Tier 2 is looking at $1,587.75 for a monthly stipend amount (e.g., 25 hours of care)
  • Tier 3 is looking at $2,540.40 for a monthly stipend amount (e.g., 40 hours of care)
NOTE the "Disclaimer: These compensation rates are subject to change based on revisions made to Bureau of Labor Statistics wage rates."

Moreover, please read the article entitled Hobbled VA Caregiver Program Dims Changes of Expansion at URL http://www.pebforum.com/site/threads/hobbled-va-caregiver-program-dims-change-of-expansion.24037/ for one person's perspective about the VA Caregiver Program. Take care and enjoy life! :cool:

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
psd1234 said:
can somebody look up the zip codes 02169 and 19056. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Indeed, as I often state, ask and you shall receive...:cool:

Enter the ZIP code of the geographic location where the Service member currently resides: 19056

For the "Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division" area, an approved VA caregiver for "BUCKS" county in the location of "Levittown, PA" at a Local Hourly Wage of "$13.51" is...
  • Tier 1 is looking at $587.69 for a monthly stipend amount (e.g., 10 hours of care)
  • Tier 2 is looking at $1,469.21 for a monthly stipend amount (e.g., 25 hours of care)
  • Tier 3 is looking at $2,350.74 for a monthly stipend amount (e.g., 40 hours of care)
NOTE the "Disclaimer: These compensation rates are subject to change based on revisions made to Bureau of Labor Statistics wage rates."

Moreover, please read the article entitled Hobbled VA Caregiver Program Dims Changes of Expansion at URL http://www.pebforum.com/site/threads/hobbled-va-caregiver-program-dims-change-of-expansion.24037/ for one person's perspective about the VA Caregiver Program. Take care and enjoy life! :)

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
I truly have tried all my devices in this house....still can't make it work. can someone look up 53005? Much appreciated! Happy New Year!
Also, I am new to this site and I am very happy to come across it! God Bless!
 
What about a rural area code 81321? I can't get my computer to do it, it's a MAC. It would be Tier 3 straight from SCADDL to Va care giver ~ Thanks
 
IT KEEPS TELLING ME THE ZIP CODE IS INCORRECT AND TO TALK TO A SUPERVISOR. ITS 81321 AND ITS A RURAL AREA IN COLORADO. DOES "ALL" ZIP CODES WORK OR WE HAVE TO USE SOME KIND OF REGIONAL ZIP CODE? CAN SOMEONE TRY AND LOOK IT UP FOR ME?
 
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