Veterans Aid and Attendance and other VA benefits « Thread Started on Jul 9, 2006, 5:26pm »
In this thread I will be posting links and online resources to help US Military Veterans and their dependents/survivors access the benefits they are due.
Re: Veterans Aid and Attendance and other VA benef « Reply #1 on Aug 22, 2006, 10:27am »
Here's a list of most of the important documents which need to be gathered prior to submitting an application package:
1. The veterans service papers. Younger veterans may have what's known as a DD214. WW2/Korea Vets may/will not have this and other documents will need to be secured. My dad happened to have a couple original copies of his discharge/seperation papers and they are black with white typing.
2. The veterans death certificate (for a surviving spouse applying for benefits); I noted, on my dads, that my mom was listed as surviving spouse and it included her maiden name.
3. The surviving spouses birth certificate (for above); my mom was born at home so doesn't have a formal birth certificate, only a signed affidavit of birth.
4. The veteran/surviving spouse marriage certificate
5. A statement from a Nursing Home/RCFE/ALF stating requirement for constant care, along with cost of care. It should be signed by facility director and private doctor (or facility doctor). Sample below: http://www.veteranaid.org/docs/nursing_home_status.pdf
6. In the case of AD/VAD/etc, the VA will require a fiduciary to be appointed, to handle the pension monies. If a family member has financial POA, they should include that document and request that they be appointed as fiduciary and be interviewed for the position at the same time the applicant is interviewed (the VA does a site interview).
8. A cancelled check for direct deposit information (or a hardship waiver of such). They generally only direct deposit monies into the applicant's/fiduciary's checking account.
9. Income information. Social Security benefit statement, recent tax return, pension earnings statement, etc. They will use these documents to determine the amount of pension the applicant qualifies for.
The important thing to remember is to be proactive and have all the documents in order, to make the process as efficient as possible. The funds allowed will be retroactive back to application date, so, if you feel your LO is eligible, don't delay. There are income/asset limits, but they are more liberal than Medicaid, and, if you're in a position where your LO can't afford care and meets the requirements, they likely will qualify. This is a pension-type benefit, and the funds are paid directly to the applicant/fiduciary. It's up to you to spend them on care.
The most important and easiest to understand criteria, IMO, is that, for the surviving spouse to receive any benefit, they must have been married to the veteran at the time of the veteran's death and that death is what ended the relationship. In our case, my mom was married to my dad continuously from 1953 until his death in 1985. He had been married prior (his wife left him and received a divorce during WW2) and this information was requested by the VA, so as not to duplicate any benefits. Fortunately, the trust my dad drew up prior to his death had detailed information about his former wife and children, so that information was easy to provide.
As I go through the process, I'll add more information.
Re: Veterans Aid and Attendance and other VA benef « Reply #2 on Jan 10, 2008, 9:11pm »
Just wanted to add that, now over 18 months into the process with still no benefits, the VA refuses to recognize my power of attorney (legal, not health care) when I contacted my congressional representitive to assist in shoving a prod up their rears to get things moving. Next step is an attorney. Can I sue the federal government? I think a veteran class action suit should make a good run on the Federal Reserve, especially in this time of "war".
Anyway, if you think a POA will get you anywhere with the government (we crossed all the "i's" and dotted all the "t's" with the help of a lawyer), you'll need a lawyer to even get their attention. My next step is the press (media).
Re: Veterans Aid and Attendance and other VA benef « Reply #3 on Jun 5, 2009, 8:31pm »
Well, about 18 months have passed and I'll outline the significant parts.
1. In October 2008, the VA finally recognized the validity of our claim and approved compensation and benefits, but, wait, now they have ruled my mom incompetent so she can't receive benefits; someone must be appointed to receive them for her. Wow, rocket science. So, more forms are needed for me to apply to become "fiduciary". Tic-toc.
2. In December 2008, I get a phone call from a nice lady (shocking change from prior phone contacts) who is a field examiner for the VA. She arranges to meet me at the nursing home and interviews myself and my mom and collects some further documents and requests a few more. Documents, documents.... She also spent about 2 hours going through my mom's medical records there.
3. February, 2009 - I receive a "EVR" form from the VA's financial center in Minnesota to fill out. I do so, and return it, thinking benefits will start soon. Wrong...
4. May, 2009 - I receive the EVR form back stating it's incomplete due to the length of time between filing the claim and it being approved. Well, duh, didn't they know that? Anyway, they required an itemized listing of every medical claim from October 2006 to current, as well as income and assets broken down into certain periods. This took me about 6 hours to complete. Hundreds of records. I'm starting to think suicide might be a less painful action than dealing with the government.
5. Late May 2009 - I get a call from a lady at the financial center to finalize a few income items. A week later I receive an updated determination of benefits and retroactive compensation. OK, cool, now where's the effing check. Mom's already had one close call with death and I'm liking to buy her a decent cremation and get some more clothes and pay myself back for all the money I borrowed to take care of her while waiting on her benefits. Sounds familiar, I bet, to anyone who has dealt with the VA.
Joined: May 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 3,018 Location: South Carolina
Re: Veterans Aid and Attendance and other VA benef « Reply #4 on Jun 5, 2009, 10:44pm »
The check should come soon...yours was a bit more complicated then dads it appears...dad started receiving benefits almost one year to the day of my application! Good luck..it was well worth it for dad.
Re: Veterans Aid and Attendance and other VA benef « Reply #6 on Jul 23, 2009, 5:44pm »
To update, the check for the original benefit, including back-pay, arrived the second week of June. The stipend checks appear to be arriving on schedule, if July is any indicator. My three years of self-flagellation appeared to have paid off. I bought mom some new slippers and some tops. Still looking at cremation plans but should have something in the next month. Everything in due time
If anyone needs help with the process, feel free to ask. I think I dealt with ever last nuance.
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I think a veteran class action suit should make a good run on the Federal Reserve, especially in this time of "war".
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