Questions about eligibility/ blind spouse A&A

Hi,

I have several questions: my mother is blind and lives out of state in an ALF. She is classified as independent living in the ALF. As mentioned, she is blind, plus she is on a walker due to history fractures hip and knee. She is mentally sharp, so takes care of her own medications, plus does not require assistance in bathing or personal hygiene.

Can I submit the claim through the VA office in my city? It is impossible for me to travel to do it in my mother's city. My husband is unemployed, plus we have a daughter with autism, and I am beginning full time employment soon. So there is neither the funding nor time availability for me to travel.

In addition, I spoke with a VA rep in my mother's area last year. He told me that her total assets would be divided by the number of years she is expected to live, and that number would be added in figuring her total income. When I said, "Then VA gets her twice," he said "Yes" to that.

Is that information true? For example, if she is 89, expected to live to 95, and has $50,000 in total assets, then I would have to add $8333 in figuring her total yearly income?

Also, she is not classified as assisted living, but is unable to cook for herself, handle her own finances, travel -- plus is blind and mobility impaired. Any way she could be classified at the higher reimbursement rather than the homebound reimbursement?

In her ALF, she is spending down about $18,000 per year. All of her assets will be completely exhausted in 2-3 years.

Please reply --- I pray desperately for the wherewithal to care for my mother. We have no room for her in our house, and I have no siblings. Plus even if we did have room (which we don't), having her in our home would probably cost me my marriage.

She herself does not want to live with me -- says she would never, never do it.

Thank you.