RE Forms 21-0845 & 21-526

[danajurcastevens]

Hi, my father was in WWII, is now on dialysis four times per week, and needs a live-in, 24-Hr caregiver.  The expenses are enormous (aprox $13K per month).  What sort of relief help does he qualify for?  I am trying to find out if there are income guidelines etc.  I had heard about forms 21-0845 and/or 21-526 but am not sure if this is the correct proccess? 

Any help or suggestions would be greatfully appreciated.  Thank you.

Diane
Mission Viejo, CA

[vetadmin]

Dana,

There are income guidelines, and below is a formula to help you arrive at what his "countable" income is.

The forms 21-0845 and 21-526 are used for making application for this pension.

Hope this helps, and I suggest you use the search feature to look for specific topics.  This forum is loaded with everything you need to know about this process.

The VA suggests that its adjudicators use a certain amount of personal judgment on this issue. But the bottom line is: does it realistically appear that the veteran or surviving spouse may outlive their assets? If so, they are likely eligible.

Do NOT count their residence or vehicle when estimating net worth.

Do NOT count a life insurance policy (because the policy holder must be
deceased in order to benefit from it).

DO count CDs, annuities, stocks, bonds, savings, checking, IRAs, Keogh,
etc.

DO count any assets owned by the spouse as well.

As a rule of thumb, assets should not exceed $80,000. That amount drops
depending on the age of claimant.

List below the estimated ANNUAL income of the veteran or surviving spouse:

 Estimate total income (If married include spousal income): ______

All income must be included. This includes social security, pension,
interest income, dividends, income from rental property, etc.

If the veteran is married, then any spousal income must also be included.

List all unreimbursed, recurring health care expenses:

 This includes:

 Assisted Living costs (per month): _________________

 Nursing Home costs (per month):________________

 Home Care service (per month):_______________

 Health Insurance premium (per month):_______________

 Medicare premium (per month):_________________

 Regular (unreimbursed) prescriptions
 (per month & verifiable through a pharmacy print-out): _____________

 TOTAL Expenses per month: __________
 (multiply x 12 to get total annual expenses)

Subtract your total annual health care expenses from your total annual
income and write the amount here: _____________. This is your "countable" income