Following Senator Hassan & Colleagues’ Push, VA Extends Eligibility for Caregivers Program

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, following a bipartisan push from Senator Maggie Hassan and her colleagues, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced last week that it will extend eligibility for the VA Caregivers Program for certain veterans and their family caregivers.

Many veterans, including in New Hampshire, were removed from the program following changes that the last administration made, and Senator Hassan and colleagues led the push for the VA to reverse those changes. Now, these veterans will be able to stay in the program at least through September 30, 2025.

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Union Leader: NH vets get more time

By Kevin Landrigan

Last week, the U.S. Veterans Administration gave vets some good news with its announcement that those with cases in the pipeline trying to get benefits will have their eligibility extended through Sept. 30, 2025.

The VA Caregiver Program supports family members caring for veterans severely injured in the line of duty. The Trump administration narrowed the program’s eligibility, and the VA denied 88% of applications to the program between October 2020 and August 2021.

Many New Hampshire families have reached out to Hassan seeking her assistance.

“This announcement is an important step forward to give veterans more certainty that they can continue to access this program and not experience unexpected changes,” Hassan said.

Last February, the VA had decided to reverse the previous administration changes and keep vets in the program until they have reexamined the eligibility criteria.

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