Received approval and check for A&A, but unsure how VA calculated the amount?

[laura]

Thanks to your helpful website, I applied for A&A for my father shortly after we moved him to an Assisted Living Facility in August. He is a veteran of the Korean war, 80 years old with Alzheimers. Less than 3 months later, we received the letter that his application was approved with a check for 2 months... at $1632/month. While happy that this went through so easily, I didn't expect the full amount. He receives Social Security and a small pension totalling around $1600/month and his expenses (when applied) were $2400/month for the ALF and $200/month for medications. My understanding was that he would receive the difference between his income and medical expenses... I expected around $1000/month. I would feel better if I understood how they came up with this number, and want to make sure that they will not come back for this amount. Of course, in the past 2 months, he had additional medical expenses exceeding the amount due to a hospitalization which I thought would be itemized and reimbursed at the end of the year.
Thanks for any information!

[Fit2009]

Hi Laura,
Maybe you left something out, But monthly income of $1,632 minus monthly expenses of $2,400 leaves you with a negative number or $0 income for VA purposes.  Full award of $1,644 minus VA Income of $) Means award of $1,644 - Spend without guilt, he earned it!!

[laura]

Thanks, I appreciate your response. I was expecting a reply of "don't cash that check"!