Independant Living Aid

[skiser]

Hello, I was hoping someone could give me some advice. I am so close to completing all the paperwork needed to get my mom this amazing benefit. She lives in a indepentant living facility with a friend. She has dementia but her friend does not. The agency that is helping me with all of this told me I would need to sign her up for a ADL? (some type of aid) I contacted a home health agency nearby and they said medication management for her would be about $300.00 per month! She can barely pay her rent now! I am so confused about what type of aid I can get for her and is it really going to cost that much?? She does need medication help but she can bath and dress herself. Thanks for any help as I am stuck and can't get my application to the VA yet!

[vetadmin]

Depending on your mom's financial situation, it will depend on her monthly income.  If she is not below the means testing, she is not going to qualify.  Since she is in Independent living, she cannot claim her rent as a medical expense.  With no services coming in to assist her, it does not appear she has much going out monthly to justify her need for A&A.  This is how the VA will look at it.  What is her monthly income and does she have any assets?

It's not that she does not need supervision or assistance due to her deminished mental capacitiy, but you have to be able to show the costs for care.

[skiser]

thanks for the quick reply...She has only 1200.00 in income. and she pays 1200.00 in rent. We (children) are paying all of her prescription bills 200.00 month. her 2ndary ins premium (75.00) and her spending money 150-200 a month. The agency that is helping said she definately qualifies.

[skiser]

oh yes, no assets either.

[vetadmin]

Did they tell you that she can claim the $1200 rent?  Unless the "Independent" facility is providing services and has a medical staff responder, she can't claim the rent.  If they had a medical staff as part of their services who dispensed meds, it would be different.

Even for someone living in their own home who has a family member or outside services coming in can claim those expenses, but you have to have to proof.  At the end of every year, the VA sends out an EVR that has to be completed to show the applicant still qualifies.  Part of that process is receipts showing medical costs.  Not rent, not house payment.  I am concerned if you claim her rent expense the VA will deny or if approved and later discover the $1200 should not have been counted, they will ask for the money back.

Who is that she lives with and does she pay rent to them or the facility?

[skiser]

I think they said we can claim the rent. She pays her share of the rent to the roomate and they pay the facility the full amount. They have a home health facility on site but it is completely "separate" from the facility.

[jpez]

First, I agree with what ADMIN says concerning the indi facilities.

But if a doctor has written an order that say you mom can't live alone because of the alz the the indy rent could be considered a medical expense. I know 2 vet who are legally blind and live in an indy facility. There are no "medical" services provided. They both got the full a&a subtacting the indy rent from the incme.
There has to be the doctor link. just hiring a service wont cut it. Use the VA doc form.

[vetadmin]

I am curious about two things.

1. Who owns the Independent/Retirement property (name of property and management co)
2. Who suggested you file for A&A and claim the $1200.

I have my suspicions here, but don't want to speak out of turn with my concerns.