Disability Compensation / Pension

[stevecon]

Hi - I'm trying to help my mom obtain my dad's benefits.  In September 2010, my dad suffered a stroke.  He is receiving hospice care in a VA facility as of January.  My mom got some assistance filling out what I believe was a 21-526 form in November.  I don't know what exactly was on the form, only that we have yet to learn of the disposition of the request for benefits.

I do not know where to call to get answers.  My name has been included on the 21-0845 form, so I expect that I can speak about his benefits with the VA.  The 800 827-100 VA recording tells me after I have drilled down to VA benefits / compensation & pension menu to speak with someone - that I "should call back later"  Are there that many callers?  Is the system down?

Lastly, there was a period of several weeks between which his Medicaid benefits were exhausted and the VA made a determination that he was eligible for benefits (after being evaluated by a doctor in a VA clinic).  This break in coverage has resulted in my mom getting invoiced in excess of $7000 from the skilled nursing facility my dad was in.  Can / will the VA pay this expense?  If so, how do I go about it? 

Thank you,

Steve

[Fit2009]

Very busy week at the VA because EVRs (the annual reports) are due today.

Do you mean MediCARE benefits were exhausted and not MediCAID?  If yes, unfortuantely, I believe you do have to pay privately for that. Hopefully you will receive some A&A funds to help out with that payment - or advice from other readers that is more helpful!

[stevecon]

Yes - I meant to say MedicAID.  What is "A&A"?

Thanks-

Steve

[vetadmin]

A&A is Aid and Attendance.

[stevecon]

How do I go about getting "A & A"?  Is this something different than the benefits we're trying to get from the pension form that was filled out already?

Thanks,

Steve

[Fit2009]

No, it's not something else Steve, this site is basically dedicated to the Aid and Attendnace level of benefits.

[stevecon]

No, it's not something else Steve, this site is basically dedicated to the Aid and Attendnace level of benefits.

Ok - since we've already submitted the pension compensation request form, I don't need to do anything else?  About how long is it now taking to get a determination from VA for the request?  Ours was sent in this past November, and we have yet to hear from VA about it.

In the mean time, should we make arrangements to make payments on the $7000 nursing home invoice?

Thanks!