General Questions Benefits & forms

[Dennis]

First Question:
My Father is widowed and has an income of $2150/month, the Assisted Living costs exceed $3,000/month.
He has no real savings (much less than $80K), will he receive the full benefit of $1519/month or only the difference between his costs and income ($850/month)?

Second Question:
Is the VA File Number the same as his Social Security Number?
Or do I need to submit the form without a File Number?

Third Question:
He has dementia, is it better to use say the VFW to represent my Father's case (Form 21-22) or
should I have him sign over POA and Health Care Surrgate to me, his son (Form 21-22A & Form 10-0137)?

Thank You for this wonderful website and all your help and to all those Vet's; Thank You for your Service!

[veteranadvocate]

First Question:

My Father is widowed and has an income of $2150/month, the Assisted Living costs exceed $3,000/month.
He has no real savings (much less than $80K), will he receive the full benefit of $1519/month or only the difference between his costs and income ($850/month)?

Based on the information that you provided, your Father would be entitle to the full benefit of $1519/month due to all of his income going to pay the Assisted Living cost.


Second Question:

Is the VA File Number the same as his Social Security Number?
Or do I need to submit the form without a File Number?

If your Father never filed a claim with the VA before, he will not have a File Number.  If this is his first claim, the VA will assign his Social Security Number as his File Number.  If you are not sure, I would not include anything in the section for the VA File Number.  The VA computers will cross check with his name and service number, if there is a VA File Number they will locate it.  No big deal.


Third Question:

He has dementia, is it better to use say the VFW to represent my Father's case (Form 21-22) or
should I have him sign over POA and Health Care Surrgate to me, his son (Form 21-22A & Form 10-0137)?

I recommend not to use any of the Veterans Service Organizations because you will not be able to obtain any information from them or the VA regarding your Father's claim.  You can use the VA Form 21-22a and serve as his representative.  This will give you the authority to check the status of his claim and to submit evidence on his behalf.  This will also speed the processing time on the claim because the VA does not have to present everything to the Veterans Service Organization before the veteran is notified.

I hope this addresses your questions.  Please let us know if you need any additional information.  Welcome to the forum.

[Dennis]

Thanks for your help, would there be any benefit to fill out Form 10-0137 for POA?

[veteranadvocate]

The 10-0137 is a medical form that will need to be completed for the VA Medical Center that the veteran uses.  You may also want to review the following information contained on the VA website with the forms.

10-0137B WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
10-0137A Your Rights Regarding Advance Directives