---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 1782"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "1782"
heading: "Counseling, training, and mental health services for immediate family members and caregivers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/1782"
units:
  - "Part II — General Benefits"
  - "Chapter 17 — Hospital, Nursing Home, Domiciliary, and Medical Care"
  - "Subchapter VIII — Health Care of Persons Other Than Veterans"
---

# §1782. Counseling, training, and mental health services for immediate family members and caregivers

- (a) **Counseling for Family Members of Veterans Receiving Service-Connected Treatment.—** In the case of a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) who is receiving treatment for a [service-connected](/usc/38/101.md?p=16) [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of [section 1710(a) of this title](/usc/38/1710.md?p=a), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall provide to individuals described in [subsection (c)](#c) such consultation, professional counseling, marriage and family counseling, training, and mental health services as are necessary in connection with that treatment.
- (b) **Counseling for Family Members of Veterans Receiving Non-Service-Connected Treatment.—** In the case of a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) who is eligible to receive treatment for a [non-service-connected](/usc/38/101.md?p=17) [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) under the conditions described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of [section 1710(a) of this title](/usc/38/1710.md?p=a), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may, in the discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), provide to individuals described in [subsection (c)](#c) such consultation, professional counseling, marriage and family counseling, training, and mental health services as are necessary in connection with that treatment.
- (c) **Eligible Individuals.—** Individuals who may be provided services under this subsection are—
  - (1) the members of the immediate family or the legal guardian of a [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1);
  - (2) a family caregiver of an [eligible veteran](/usc/38/3452.md?p=a-1) or a caregiver of a [covered veteran](/usc/38/1831.md?p=3) (as those terms are defined in [section 1720G of this title](/usc/38/1720G.md)); or
  - (3) the individual in whose household such [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) certifies an intention to live.
- (d) **Travel and Transportation Authorized.—** Services provided under subsections [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b) may include, under the terms and conditions set forth in [section 111 of this title](/usc/38/111.md), travel and incidental expenses of individuals described in [subsection (c)](#c) in the case of any of the following:
  - (1) A [veteran](/usc/38/1101.md?p=1) who is receiving care for a [service-connected](/usc/38/101.md?p=16) [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1).
  - (2) A [dependent](/usc/38/3452.md?p=d) or survivor receiving care under the last sentence of [section 1783(b) of this title](/usc/38/1783.md?p=b).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 107–135, title II, § 208(b), Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2462; amended Pub. L. 110–387, title III, § 301(a)(2), Oct. 10, 2008, 122 Stat. 4120; Pub. L. 111–163, title I, § 103(a), (b), May 5, 2010, 124 Stat. 1139, 1140.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1782 was renumbered section 3682 of this title.

### Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–163, § 103(b), inserted “and caregivers” after “members” in section catchline.

Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 111–163, § 103(a), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–387, § 301(a)(2)(A), inserted “marriage and family counseling,” after “professional counseling,”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–387, § 301(a)(2)(B), inserted “marriage and family counseling,” after “professional counseling,” and substituted period at end for “if—

“(1) those services were initiated during the veteran’s hospitalization; and

“(2) the continued provision of those services on an outpatient basis is essential to permit the discharge of the veteran from the hospital.”