Starting October 1, 2020, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expanded its support for family caregivers, an expansion that might very well affect veterans with myositis. Now the VA will include eligible veterans who have a service-connected disability of 70 percent or higher, regardless of whether it resulted from an injury, illness or diseases.
Expansion will specifically include Veterans of earlier eras, notably those whose health was affected on or before May 7, 1975. This means that family caregivers who care for eligible older veterans will qualify for support, including stipends, training, peer mentoring, respite care, a telephone support line, and self-care courses for caregivers of covered Veterans enrolled in VA health care who need personal care services. Learn more