Caregivers are the family members and loved ones who provide care for Veterans who are living with the effects of war, disability, chronic illness, or aging. They deserve VA's highest level of support. On February 1, 2011, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opened a toll-free National Caregiver Support Line housed at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center campus in Canandaigua, New York. The support line will serve as a primary resource/referral center to assist caregivers, Veterans and others seeking caregiver information to help in the care of our Nation's Veterans. Calls to The National Caregiver Support Line will be answered by VA employees who are licensed clinical social workers.

The Support Line will provide information on VA/community caregiver support resources and "warm" referrals to dedicated Caregiver Support Coordinators located in every VA Medical Center; emotional support for the caregiver will be an integral component of this service. The National Caregiver Support Line is also available to respond to inquiries about the caregiver benefits associated with Public Law 111-163, Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.

The National Caregiver Support Line will be open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Toll-Free number is 1-855-260-3274.

We also encourage you to visit the VA's updated caregiver website: www.caregiver.va.gov.