aiding of a veteran who is disabled

[rrguy]

I am retired Air Force. I'm trying to help a veteran friend who is disabled (not service connected) He is single and lives in a 3rd floor tenement. No elevator.  He can hardly walk. I'm trying to get him in subsidized housing and they have an apartment for him. the problem is how to pay his rent. He receives a VA pension, not much though. But it is still more than his rent will be. Due to his medical condition he's had trouble paying his rent the last few months and is being evicted with absolutely no place to go. No reletives at all. The housing authority is not willing to take a check from him due to his previous rent problems. They said that they must get the money from an account that he cannot access in case he should want to take money from it and not have enough to pay the rent, a mere $261 per month with all utilities. I contacted a number of departments in the VA and they said that his pension cannot be split, one going to the housing and one for him. I checked with my Congressman and he can't do anything. He receives a small check from SS disability and I'm going to ask them shortly, but I'm disappointed with the lack of concern for this man. If he is evicted he'll become a street person and winter is coming. I can't allow that. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks[/b]

[vetadmin]

Thank you for caring about this veteran and looking for ways to help him.  In checking with someone who is very familiar with VA matters to see if there might be an avenue to explore, he suggest the following: 

* Since the vet receives a small check from VA and small check  from social security. Vet must have met the requirements for
   non-service connected pension so has anyone reviewed entitlement to A&A? If he can barely walk, he could be entitled to   housebound or A&A rating and more money for him.

    * They may want to check with the bank about automatic payments for his rent. The bank will issue a check to the housing authority on the first of every month or whatever date is selected. The housing authority may also have a system for auto-billing his bank account for monthly payment.

    * Vet could check into having someone appointed as his guardian;custodian; or payee for him and they could pay his bills for him.
      Since it is hard for him to get around, this could be something the vet would like.

    * Vet or friend may want to check with local legal aid assistance and/or aging agency to see what else is available in his area.
      Legal Aid could also help in getting someone appointed to oversee his personal matters.

Hope that something will come through that help with his circumstances.

[Fit2009]

If he has monthly income of less than $1,644 per month, he should receive the difference to get him to $1,644 - i.e. if monthly income is $1,000 he switch from compensation to non-service connected pension which would result in a payment of $644 (in this example).  With urgent financial need he could see the money in as little as 4 weeks (no breath hold!)