Should we file now or after moving to alf?

[Madnance]

Hi we are filing out the app for my mother.  She is on a waiting list for enterring an assisted living facility. Shoild we wait to file until she entes the facility or get going now?  Thanks

[vetadmin]

Get everything ready, and unless she is already paying someone for care, you need to wait until she has been accepted.  At that point you would get a "Statement of Occupancy" from the facility showing the monthly charge, and then file.

If she is already paying someone for care to come in, you can file now if the medical expenses qualify.

[Madnance]

Thanks so much for the advice.  By "accepted" do you mean she is moving in?  She has been approved for admittance.  The alf facility advised us to file for the va benefit immediately, but she is not expected to be able to get a bed for 3-6 months.  Im getting confused.  Thanks again!

[KarenO]

If she applies now, she cannot put down the ALF expense as a medical expense.  She will not be paying that expense until she actually moves in so you cannot use that expense to help qualify for A&A.  If she would otherwise qualify without the ALF expense (for example, if she is paying someone to come in and assist her in her home at this time) then she should apply now.