When to apply?

[mimi43]

I am helping my mother apply for A&A. She is 84 and moved into an assisted living facility last month. Her husband served in WWII. He passed away in 1982. My mother has not remarried. She has dementia among other health problems. Her income is $1291. per mo. Her medical expenses are $3210. per mo.(including her assisted living cost). She has about $70000. in assets and is drawing off this to pay her medical expenses. My question is should she apply now or wait until she has spent down some of her assets first and then apply?

[pologal1979]

apply now. 

the worst that can happen is that they deny her. assuming she is not drawing interest or dividends her assests will be used up pretty quickly. 

[mimi43]

Thanks for the advice.