Community · Family and survivor support

You deserve support, too.

Caring for someone or grieving a loss can change your whole world. Start with people who understand.

These three starting points have different requirements. Being a spouse, friend or caregiver does not automatically establish a benefit award—or prevent you from asking about peer support.

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VA General Caregiver Support

Connect with VA caregiver support, including peer support, groups and training.

Who it is for

The caregiver provides personal care to a Veteran enrolled in VA health care who needs help with daily living, or supervision or protection due to an impairment or injury. Ask the local team to assess your situation.

How to start

Contact the local Caregiver Support Program team for intake. VA says no application or clinical evaluation is required for this general-support program.

What to confirm

General support is separate from the comprehensive caregiver program and does not establish stipend eligibility. Confirm the available services, costs, schedule and accommodations with the team.

Source checked 2026-09-12. Dated source observation — confirm current details.

Read the provider’s requirements

Your first conversation

Ask whether this support fits your situation, which group or person is available, how to join, and what costs, access arrangements and privacy rules apply. If there is no opening, ask for an alternative. Contacting a provider is not an accepted referral; record its response separately.

Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network

Connect with military and veteran caregiver peers through groups, mentoring and an online community.

Who it is for

Caregivers across service eras, relationships and locations. The person receiving care serves or served in the military.

How to start

Use the provider’s interest form. The network then emails a request to verify your caregiver role. An interest form is not confirmation that you have joined a group.

What to confirm

Confirm current group availability, any costs, language, phone or video options, accessibility and privacy expectations directly with the network.

Source checked 2026-09-12. Dated source observation — confirm current details.

Read the provider’s requirements

Your first conversation

TAPS survivor support

Find bereavement peer support, grief resources and help connecting with care after the death of someone who served.

Who it is for

People grieving someone who served in the U.S. armed forces, including friends and battle buddies. Support is not limited to benefit-qualified dependents or combat deaths.

How to start

Call the published survivor helpline at 800-959-8277 or use the provider’s contact options to ask about support that fits your needs.

What to confirm

Core survivor services are free. Confirm requirements, availability and any travel or event expenses for a specific program. Peer support does not determine federal survivor-benefit eligibility.

Source checked 2026-09-12. Dated source observation — confirm current details.

Read the provider’s requirements

Your first conversation

Nothing on this page contacts a provider for you. Downloaded questions start as not-started tasks. You decide what to share and when to make contact.

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