Virginia has three payment tiers for family caregivers in 2024

The Virginia Caregiver Stipend Program divides payments into three tiers based on how many hours per week a family member provides care. The tier you fall into determines your monthly stipend amount. Each tier has a minimum and maximum number of hours, and your actual payment depends on which tier matches your caregiving schedule and which program track you are enrolled in — either the Alzheimer's and Related Diseases (ARD) track or the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (BSCI) track.

The three tiers are structured so that caregivers who provide more hours receive higher monthly payments. However, the exact dollar amount for each tier varies depending on program funding and can change from year to year. Your local Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) office determines which tier applies to you based on the hours you report.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia's caregiver stipend has three tiers: Tier 1 (fewer hours), Tier 2 (moderate hours), and Tier 3 (highest hours), with different monthly payment amounts for each.
  • The tier you are placed in depends on the number of hours per week you provide direct care, which you must document and report to your local DARS office.
  • Payment amounts for each tier can vary based on program funding levels and may differ between the ARD track and the BSCI track.
  • Your tier assignment is reviewed periodically, and changes in your caregiving hours may move you to a different tier and adjust your monthly payment.

How the three tiers are defined by hours

Tier 1 covers caregivers who provide a minimum number of hours per week up to a set threshold. Tier 2 covers a higher range of weekly hours. Tier 3 is for caregivers providing the most hours per week. The exact hour ranges for each tier are set by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and can be found in your program enrollment materials or by contacting your local DARS office directly.

The hours you report must be direct care — time spent helping the care recipient with activities of daily living, medical tasks, supervision, or other hands-on support. Hours spent on administrative tasks, travel time, or indirect care typically do not count toward your tier placement. You will need to keep records of the hours you work so you can report them accurately when you enroll or when your case is reviewed.

Payment amounts vary by tier and program track

Each tier has an associated monthly stipend amount, but that amount is not fixed across all years or all regions. The Virginia Caregiver Stipend Program receives state funding, and the amount available affects how much each tier pays in any given year. Additionally, the ARD track and the BSCI track may have different payment schedules, so a caregiver in Tier 2 on the ARD track might receive a different amount than a caregiver in Tier 2 on the BSCI track.

To find out the exact payment amount for your tier in 2024, contact your local DARS office or the state caregiver stipend program coordinator. They can tell you what the current tier payments are and confirm which tier you would be placed in based on your hours. Payment amounts are typically issued monthly, either by direct deposit or check, depending on how you set up your account.

How your tier is determined and reviewed

When you first enroll in the Virginia Caregiver Stipend Program, you report the number of hours per week you provide care. DARS staff use that information to place you in the appropriate tier. Your tier assignment is not permanent — if your caregiving hours change significantly, your tier may be adjusted during a periodic review or when you report a change to your case manager.

If you move to a higher tier because you are now providing more hours, your monthly payment will increase. If your hours decrease and you move to a lower tier, your payment will decrease. You should notify your DARS case manager promptly if your caregiving schedule changes so that your tier and payment are adjusted accurately.

Differences between the ARD and BSCI tracks

The Virginia Caregiver Stipend Program operates two separate tracks: one for family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's and Related Diseases, and one for caregivers of people with Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries. Each track may have its own tier structure and payment amounts, though both use a three-tier system based on hours of care provided.

If you are a caregiver for someone with a may have access to condition, you will be enrolled in the appropriate track when you join the program. The track you are in does not change unless the care recipient's diagnosis changes. Your local DARS office can explain which track applies to your situation and what the tier payments are for that track in 2024.

What to do if you are unsure about your tier

If you are already enrolled and do not know which tier you are in, or if you think your tier may have changed, contact your local DARS office or your case manager. They can review your file, confirm your current tier, and explain what your monthly payment should be. If you believe you have been placed in the wrong tier, ask for a review of your hours documentation.

If you are thinking about enrolling in the program and want to know what tier you might be placed in, you can also call your local DARS office with information about the hours you provide per week. They can give you an estimate of which tier you would likely be in and what the payment would be, though the final information happens after you complete the enrollment process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move between tiers during the year?

Yes. If your caregiving hours change significantly, you can report the change to your DARS case manager and request a tier review. Your new tier and payment amount will take effect after the review is completed, though there may be a processing delay of a few weeks.

Do I have to provide proof of the hours I work?

Yes. You should keep records of the hours you provide care — a simple log or calendar noting the dates and hours is usually sufficient. DARS may ask to see your records during enrollment or during a periodic review to confirm your tier placement.

What if my care recipient's condition changes and they need more care?

If the care needs increase and you are now providing more hours per week, report this to your case manager. You can request a tier review, and if your new hours place you in a higher tier, your monthly payment will increase accordingly.

Are the tier payment amounts the same across all Virginia counties?

The tier structure is statewide, but payment amounts are set by the state program and apply uniformly. However, local DARS offices administer the program, so contact your local office for the specific 2024 payment amounts for each tier in your area.

What happens if I provide fewer hours than my tier requires?

If your hours drop below the minimum for your current tier, you may be moved to a lower tier with a lower payment. Report any significant changes in your schedule to your case manager so your tier can be adjusted accurately.