My Story

In March of 2009 I moved my Dad (89 years old then) into an "Assisted Living" facility. I applied for A & A Pension for him at that time. The VA refused to recognize me as his representative, so I appointed the VFW. They were little, if any help. In May of 2009 I was able to get Dad into the AFC wing of the facility, and his pension was approved. In August I had to move him again, to a smaller AFC home where he would receive more, and better, personal attention. The cost was becoming unaffordable, and the A & A pension was in a holding pattern. Nothing was happening. No word on fiduciary appointment. Nothing.

His first (and only) monthly pension check came in the same batch of mail as his death certificates, in January 2010. The VA Field Agent that was finally assigned to inspect the AFC home where he was living was absolutely incompetent, and clearly knew nothing about how to help me fill out the forms for a deceased beneficiary, even though she said she could. First she brought the wrong form. then I had to have the "right" form mailed, which took another week. then no returned phone calls, etc. for another week.

I finally submitted the forms myself to the local VA office, and was told that I could not expect to claim the accrued pension as I was not a dependent. I am exhausted, my health is suffering, and I don't know where to turn. I cannot believe that a year of anguish was all for nothing. The VA outlasted Dad - he was 90 when he died, and proud of his WWII service right up to the end.