APPROVED IN THREE WEEKS!!!

[vetadmin]

Annie,

For a veteran's widow, the max is $1056 a month.  Look at the tab on these forums for "Tips and Resources".  The first one is Countable Income.  You need to go through that to see where she is financially at the end of the month.  The VA can award partial awards if the applicant falls short of being wipped out or negative at the end of the month after paying all allowable expenses.

[kimmyk]

There is also a form called an "ATTENDANT AFFIDAVIT" form. I found it on the VA.org site under VA forms and typed in under search  Attendant Affidavit. This form is what I used for my fathers caregivers to fill out and mailed it with his paperwork to VA. Hope this helps someone.

[annie415sf]

Annie,

For a veteran's widow, the max is $1056 a month.  Look at the tab on these forums for "Tips and Resources".  The first one is Countable Income.  You need to go through that to see where she is financially at the end of the month.  The VA can award partial awards if the applicant falls short of being wipped out or negative at the end of the month after paying all allowable expenses.

Oh, actually my grandmother IS the veteran. She was a First Lieutenant Army Nurse in WWII.  She worked as a nurse at San Francisco General Hospital afterwards, and has a good pension from the city of SF (2200/month) plus her social security. I will look at the Countable Income form and apply even if she falls short of being negative. Thank You!

[annie415sf]

Hi Again,

I just read the VA's webpages very carefully. Sadly, I think my grandmother makes too much money from her pension and social security to qualify
She is a housebound veteran so she is allowed to make no more than $14,457 per year (http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/pen01.htm) She makes 40,000 per year!

Even with her medical expenses (caregiver 3 hours/day, every day,ongoing medical prescriptions and medicare deductible), her countable income is over $14,457/per year...Because I cannot subtract the rent she pays correct?

Do I have that right? Was anyone in a similar situation financially?  I suppose if she starts to need around the clock care or moves into as assisted-living facility, she will become eligible.

As always, your insight is appreciated!

[vetadmin]

Annie,

You are correct.  If at anytime her need for additional care increases, and costs go up bringing her "countable" income down, the you can reconsider.

It really comes down to how much she is spending for care and services that deduct from her monthly income.

[AC185]

I recently posted that we filed the claim for my m-i-l and we are getting the run around about asking the claim to be expedited.  Called in on 10-24 and the clerk filed an inquiry about this and said they had 5 days to respond.  As of today, still no response to I called again and was told the inquiry had been assigned, but not addressed.  This clerk told me that the 5 days was just a guideline and it usually takes 10.  I feel a call to my congressman coming on...

[taypam2]

hi, it sounds like you are very organized and know exactly what you needed to do to get this wonderful benefit for your dad. i could use some help. my father in law is in need of some daily assistance and someone told us about the va aid and assitance program. i just went on the website and briefly read things and it seems very overwhelming. i am just learning about all these va benefits for him and could definitely use someone to point me in the right direction to get this started. thanks

[vetadmin]

Everything you need to know is on the VeteranAid.org website along with these supporting forums.