Stated expenses exceed income -duh!!!!

[mimley]

I have been "in the process" for about 5 months.  I did find my way to a local officer for the NC Division of Veterans Affairs. Unfortunately, it seems that these gentleman have no real power to do anything to make anything happen and also don't seem to be looking at what I am submitting through them and saying - "this is not going to work, they are going to say blah blah blah".  I do appreciate their help which has gotten me farther than I was but I have just received yet another request for more information. In addition to requesting information that I have submitted twice they now say that the medical expenses I have submitted for my mother exceeds her income and they want to know how these expenses are being paid.  OK, I can accept that but then it goes on to say that no one else can pay expenses for the applicant! I am spending $1200 a month out of pocket to keep my mother home with caregivers which is in addition to all of her monthly income.  Soooo, the way it sounds in this letter is that of her medical expenses exceed her income at all that she won't qualify for the benefit. I plan to trot back over to the VA affairs office again but I would much rather talk to someone that actually has some power to make someone understand the situation.  Any suggestions?
Marilyn

[vetadmin]

Marilyn,

We are sorry that you are having such a challenging time with all this.

We would suggest that you not go to the VA in person - If it's not in writing, you have nothing to appeal.  You have to have the letter stating their decision in order to appeal.

The appropriate response which we suggest you put on a Support of claim in addition to whatever form you sent is that the daughter (you) are "loaning" your mother the money for (rent or mortgage) against the: 1) value of the house?  2) Life insurance policy? and that you don't think you can continue much longer.  If the relief from the VA does not come soon, your mother will lose her home.

Those are the two keys - loan for residential support and potential loss of the home.

If you are not your mother's representative, this should be written in the voice of your mother.  Either way, keep it polite, short and neatly written.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[mimley]

Thanks for the information.  My mother does not have a home anymore and has been living with us for the past 3 years.   She has a life insurance policy that we took out on her for $10,000 and another small one of $2500 I believe. If I state a loan against life insurance will they ask for the policies etc? The bottom line is that WE are in danger of losing our home if something doesn't happen soon. Of course, I guess that would mean she would lose "her" home too.

So, you don't think using the district officer to ensure all paperwork is filled out correctly is a good idea? The officer there said that they check on the claim to make sure it's moving along etc. and send it from their office to the state office.

Thanks so much!
Marilyn