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VA’s caregiver payments not enough, critics say

A Texas mother who gave up her high school teaching job to be a fulltime caregiver for her son, a severely wounded Iraq veteran, said she is glad the government has launched a program to support people like her, but expressed disappointment in the benefits.

Debbie Schulz, the mother of Marine Cpl. Steven Schulz, said Monday that as the Veterans Affairs Department works out details for a caregiver relief program, she believes it is undervaluing the work she and others like her are doing.

She testified before House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s health panel, which is studying implementation of the program that promises a monthly stipend to pay for the work done by a caregiver — but caps the work at 40 hours a week.

“This is concerning for the many caregivers who provide nearly around-the-clock care,” Schulz said.

It is unclear if VA has set this cap for financial reasons or has decided that a veteran “only needs a very limited number of hours of caregiving per week,” she said.

“There does not seem to be consistent application as to why VA considers any particular veteran to need 10 versus 25 versus 40 hours of caregiving, and that is a big problem,” she said. “There are lots of veterans who need more than 40 hours a week.”

She estimated she provides 50 to 60 hours of care a week.

Schulz, from Friendswood, Texas, took a leave of absence from her teaching job within a month after her son was severely injured by an improvised explosive device in Iraq in 2005. She never returned to work. He suffered severe brain injuries, leaving him weak, with cognitive, mobility and vision problems, she said.

“We have seen marked improvements,” she said, “but we are realistic about the dream of returning to his pre-injury self.”

The caregiver relief program is aimed at people like Schulz, who sacrificed her job to take care of her son, who otherwise would be institutionalized because of the extent of his problems.

VA has approved 182 applications for stipends, and has 1,259 more in process, said Deborah Amdur, VA’s chief consultant for care management and social work.

Up to 3,600 families could be eligible for the benefits, which are provided when a caregiver is needed for at least six months.

Schulz is one of those who has received a check, but no details. “I just received a check, with no explanation of the hours.”

The National Military Family Association supports paying more to caregivers, saying the financial strain on a caregiver is great. The average loss of earnings is $3,200 a month, the association says.

“With finances an ongoing struggle, I am of course very happy and relieved to be receiving a stipend,” she said.

She did not disclose how much she is receiving.