Mom passed before approval...

[BGal]

We applied for A&A over six months ago.   Other than being notified that it is "in process" we don't know if it will be approved.    Mom passed away a week ago.  Will we be able to recover any benefits if approved?

We are already receiving hospital bills...

[vetadmin]

We are sorry to hear of your loss. 

Realizing this has to be a difficult time for your family, please see this link regarding this process with the hope it will help.

http://veteranaid.org/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=3&id=15&artlang=en

[BGal]

I'm not sure that I understand...    Can I apply for last illness / burial benefits even if the expenses were paid for with my mom's savings?   Or, do they have to be "my" out of pocket expenses?

[vetadmin]

Date of last illness is confusing.  It actually means the date of application for the pension.  It would need to be expenses paid out that were not reimbursed.  If your mom had money in savings that allowed her to pay the expenses, then you would be looking at what is remaining that was not covered.

[BGal]

I can only apply for this benefit if Mom had no funds left....is this correct?   Mom's estate still has some money--not much, but some to pay for her last hospitalization.   After Medicare and her supplemental insurance pay their portion of the hospital bill, we will have to pay the remainder out of her estate.  I can only get reimbursed if Mom does not have enough funds to pay her portion of the bills, is this correct? 

[VSR]

That would be correct.  Essentially once a beneficiary passes away, their potential entitlement to that benefit goes with them.  In order for VA to pay you any funds, they would need to establish you as entitled to that benefit.  Its a weird and confusing process.

When did she originally apply for the benefit?

[BGal]

Applied over six months ago...

[VSR]

In that case, I would suggest you pay for the funeral and all related expenses out of your own pocket and submit those expenses along with VA Form 21-601.  That should help you recoup all or most of what she may have been entitled to at the time of death.