How many payments should be made before submitting for an A&A claim?

[1rknrbn]

My Mother is a Surviving Spouse of a WWII vet.   She is currently in her own condo, but plans to move to an independent / assisted living facility soon.

She has a small income (< $ 30,000) and limited assets, has several limiting ADLs, and fully meets the medical requirements for an A&A pension.

She had to stop driving many years ago, now has to use a walker (... limited to short distances) and has been mostly housebound for over six years.

She has worn out shoulders, knees and hips, several heart conditions, severe RA in both hands, needs help to dress, bathe, wash hair, and more.
 
Unfortunately, she has paid cash to most of her "helpers" for the past few years; doesn't have many receipts and hasn't kept good payment records.

The Surviving Spouse plans to sell her condo and move into the independent / assisted living facility soon.  She plans to file a Letter of Intent to VA soon.

She will have slightly less than $ 80,000 total assets after selling her condo, paying real estate commissions, fees, taxes, etc.

Her children are helping her to correctly gather / collate all of the required documents, records, data etc. needed to correctly file for an A&A Pension. 

She will be getting her doctor to sign a VA 21-2680 form soon and has the DD-214s, certificates and other information required by the VA.

A review of her situation showed that she would have a Countable Income of less than zero if she was living in the independent / assisted living facility.

As she is over 88 years old now, she will be asking for expedited processing of her claim by the VA.

After she moves into an independent / assisted living facility, how many months of payments to them should be collected before submitting a claim to VA?

Thanks in advance for your replies,   ...   1rknrbn

[vetadmin]

The VA counts medical expenses from the date of application.  Get a Statement of Occupancy from the facility which will list the monthly charge along with the services that are provided for her there.

Good luck with it all.

[1rknrbn]

So, - ... if I understand correctly; only statements of charges from the care facility, medicare and other related medical costs for a few months will suffice.

Thanks much,   ...   1rknrbn

[vetadmin]

You should look at this link to determine what "countable" income is for VA purposes.

http://www.veteranaid.org/forums/index.php/topic,1313.0.html

[1rknrbn]

I understand...  Her  Countable Income  now is not the issue.

Her  Countable Income  once she's living at the independent / assisted living facility  will  be  less  than  zero  .

Thanks again,   ...  1rknrbn