A North Carolina lawmaker says he wants to make things a little easier for those caring for wounded veterans.

Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8th District, has introduced a bill updating the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, which is run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

As it stands, the program provides stipends to families, helping with home care for veterans with disabilities caused by their time on active-duty. These veterans often need assistance with daily activities. The program currently has more than 19,000 participants, according to the VA.

“While the caregiver program has been critical for many disabled veterans and their caregivers, we know there’s room for improvement,” Hudson said during an event marking the roll out of the bill Thursday.

Among other things, Hudson's legislation gets rid of the annual re-application requirement for veterans in need of significant care. It also extends how long caregivers receive the benefits after the veteran passes away, allowing spouses and family more time to transition to their new reality. 

“We want to make sure that our caregivers get all the thanks, but more importantly, all the support they deserve,” he said.

Sarah Verardo is among those backing the bill. She is the CEO of The Independence Fund, which advocates for veterans. She is also the wife of a veteran in need of this sort of at home care.

Mike Verardo, her husband, was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne when he lost his left leg and much of his left arm in IED attacks in Afghanistan. 

“He thought he was going to war and coming home or not coming home,” Sarah Verardo said. “We were not prepared for this middle ground that we’ve now been in for almost 10 years this April.”

That middle ground has not been easy. Sarah says Mike needs help with everything from showering to meal prep.

“I never expected to be in our 20s providing the kind of care my husband needed,” she said.

The Verardos, who live in Waxhaw, N.C., have found some comfort through the VA’s caregiver program.

However, Verardo says the program is not perfect. She cited the need to re-apply every year, a process that she says can cause anxiety for families like hers. It is something Hudson's bill aims to address.

Verardo says she hopes lawmakers will rally around the legislation.

“I think every American can champion behind our nation’s bravest population and those that are caring for them at home,” she said.

Hudson’s bill, which is in its earliest stages on Capitol Hill, is co-sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Rice, D-NY.

The Department of Veterans Affairs so far has not taken a position on the legislation