EVR Request for A&A Alzheimer's Patient

[edwina10]

My father is a patient in an Alzheimer's Unit in a SNF.  Last June I followed the instructions on this website to the letter and my father was awarded the A&A benefit within 6 weeks.  I was concerned that, despite the dementia diagnosis in the medical information submitted by the facility's medical director accompanying his claim, the VA began sending his checks directly to him at the NH.  3 wks ago the NH received the EVR which they forwarded to me.  Per the accompanying instructions, only the veteran can sign this form.  My dad can no longer sign his name and he isn't remotely capable of handling his affairs.  Obviously, I can't sign the EVR...Should I initiate a request with the VA to start their fiduciary selection process sine I fully expect they will suspend his benefit Mar 1?  Should I try going to a local VA office or calling them?  Thank you for any help!

[vetadmin]

Edwina,

You will open a can of worms if you try to go the fiduciary route at this point.  Our recommendation is to not do this.  The VA will accept an "X" mark by your dad if he is unable to sign his name.  Whatever he can either write or make the "X" on the signature line, do that and get the form back to the VA before the deadline so the pension does not stop.  Time is of the essence at this point!

[edwina10]

Thanks so much for the guidance. 

1)  Any problem with 2 family members witnessing my dad's "X" on the EVR?

2)  And how do I report the payments my dad receives from his LTC insurance policy that are used to partially defray the SNF monthly expenses?

3)  This is my first EVR ... any less-than-obvious pitfalls to avoid?

What a marvelous website this is!!

[jpez]

Thanks so much for the guidance. 

1)  Any problem with 2 family members witnessing my dad's "X" on the EVR?
Technicly a witness can not have an 'interest' in the signer

2)  And how do I report the payments my dad receives from his LTC insurance policy that are used to partially defray the SNF monthly expenses?
you can only claim an expense that is NOT reimbused or paid by some one other than the vet so if the cost is 5000 and the ltc policy pays 3000, then you can only report $2000

3)  This is my first EVR ... any less-than-obvious pitfalls to avoid?

What a marvelous website this is!!