TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act
Sponsored By: Representative Biggs (AZ)
In Committee
Summary
Formal recognition of caregivers in a veteran’s health record is the bill’s main goal. It would also require standardized notices about clinical decisions and a 90-day benefits extension for certain family caregivers who lose eligibility.
Show full summary
- Families and caregivers would be officially identified in the veteran’s health record. Recognized caregivers include family caregivers in the comprehensive assistance program under 38 U.S.C. 1720G(a) and caregivers in the support services program under 1720G(b).
- Veterans and caregivers would receive standardized letters for clinical determinations about claims, tier reductions, or benefit terminations. The letters must include the applicable elements from section 5104(b) of title 38.
- If a veteran in the comprehensive assistance program is later found no longer clinically eligible, benefits including stipends must be extended for at least 90 days after notification. Extensions do not apply in cases of fraud, abuse, or neglect. Extensions also end sooner if a new primary provider or another family caregiver is designated within 90 days, if adding a caregiver would leave the veteran with three family caregivers, if the caregiver moves out or abandons the veteran, or if the caregiver or veteran requests termination.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
90-Day VA Caregiver Stipend Extension
If enacted, VA would continue caregiver benefits, including the family caregiver stipend, for at least 90 days after VA notifies you that a veteran is no longer clinically eligible. The 90-day hold applies from the date of VA's notification. The extension would not apply if VA finds fraud, abuse, or neglect by the caregiver. It also would not apply if the caregiver moves out or ends the relationship, if a new primary caregiver is named within 90 days (benefits end the day before the new designation), if a new family caregiver is named that creates three assigned caregivers within 90 days (benefits end the day before the new designation), or if the caregiver or veteran requests to end benefits.
VA caregiver records and notices
If enacted, VA would record any caregiver's name and role in the veteran's VA health record for both caregiver programs. VA would also be required to send a standard letter to veterans and caregivers about clinical decisions that affect claims, tier reductions, terminations, or eligibility. The letter must include the same basic elements used in VA decision notices, when those elements apply. This would improve clarity and help veterans and caregivers understand and appeal decisions.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Biggs (AZ)
AZ • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in