Dad died, now preparing for mom as survivor

[scshisler]

A few questions that I hope are straightforward.  I made a long post that you can see a few posts down from the home page - in case anyone who might be able to answer here would need background info.  If it matters, we are in the state of Florida.

1. Is the DIC (dependent's indemnity compensation) only for a surviving spouse of a veteran with "service-connected" disability and death?

2. Is the A&A considered a pension or compensation.  And what about the survivor benefit she'll get from dad's military retirement pay - pension or compensation?  Can't seem to keep the semantics straight and I need to know if these are countable as "income" when I start filling out new applications.

3. If these things are considered income, would they affect her eligibility for something like the government's HCBS waiver program (money that the assisted living facility would receive directly).

4. My dad died on January 25th. The A&A payment of $1949 (full benefit for a couple) was deposited into the checking account on Feb. 1st, presumably as the payment for January and not Feb.  When I reported the death to the VA, the rep told me that mom would be able to keep that money. Can anyone confirm this as accurate?  I thought I read somewhere that the money might have to be sent back in the same way that has to be done with his social security check.

[scshisler]

Just wondering if ya'll might take a look this post of mine from a few days ago.  Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated!

[vetadmin]

1)  No, this pension is not associated with service connected injuries.

2)  A&A is Pension NOT Compensation

3)  She can't have both your dad's pension (survivor benefits) and A&A.  You would want to determine which pays the higher rate.

4)  The money would have been for Jan, and unless the VA asks for it back, you should be ok.

We don't have any information on the HCBS waiver program.

We are sorry about the loss of your dad and know this is a very difficult time for you and your family.

[scshisler]

Thanks so much for replying, vetadmin.  Just so that I can be clear:

1. Because my dad's death was not service connected, my mother would or wouldn't be eligible for the DIC?
3. She cannot receive both the A&A and the survivor benefit of 55% of what was his military retirement pay?

[vetadmin]

DIC is Death Indemnity Compensation.

The VA hides things under different classifications.  As example, "Special Monthly Compensation" is where "Improved Pension" which is also Basic, Housebound, and A&A are listed.

What is your mom's situation currently that you need to address?

[scshisler]

The VA approved my dad's A&A application 4 days before he died, which was 2 weeks ago.  They approved him for the maximum amount based on the joint application.  With that amount, plus his mo. military retirement pay, plus both of their soc. sec. checks, they were just able to eke out the monthly cost of living at the assisted living facility there were in together.

Mom is moving into a smaller room which is about $1000 less. But if she isn't going to be able to receive both the A&A (as a surviving spouse-which I realize will only be $1056 at best) AND the survivor benefit (which my dad paid into over several years and made it to the 55% of his mil. ret. pay), we will have to figure out what to do with her. 

[vetadmin]

She is only going to be able to get the $1056.  Probably not the news you were hoping for....sorry.

[scshisler]

You're right about that.....

cripes, not sure what we're going to do now. 

I'm still not clear on the DIC.  Is this something that she can get?

[scshisler]

Nevermind about the last DIC question.   I now see that she is not eligible because my father did not receive any comp. for a service connected disability while he was alive; nor did he die from a service related disease or disability.