Here is my question??

[N3OO]

Here is my question.....hope you can help me?
 My dad ( 89 )is currently in a nursing home and they say in about another month or so he will be able to go to an assisted living  facility. 
His monthly pension &  SS will just cover the cost of the ALF.    Would he still be eligible  for any VA benefits ??

 Thank you.....BOB in PA.

[vetadmin]

Bob,

Without know all the specifics of his situation, if his service time qualfies with an honorable discharge and meeting financial guidelines, you should explore making applicaiton. What you need to determine is the "countable" income for VA puposes.

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

[N3OO]

thanks so much for your response - my dad has no spouse and he is a veteran of WWII.  I have all his original papers such as discharge, etc. His monthly income will cover the cost of the ALF down to the penny.  His medical expenses should be minimal (out of pocket after insurance). He has no savings, only checking which is a joint account with me.
Assets do not come near the $80,000 limit.  Would the VA look at this as though he doesn't need any assistance because he is able to cover his ALF cost or should we still file something with them?
Thanks for any info.

[vetadmin]

The optimum situation is that his monthly medical expenses zero him out or he is in the negative. 

If he has money left over at the end of the month the VA will view as he is able to cover his living expenses, and may do a partial award, but from what you are saying, I would suggest you apply.  If the application were to be denied, and his expenses were to increase, you can file a 21-4138 Statement in Support of Claim providing the increase in care expenses and the application would be reconsidered.