Reduction in benefits and overpayment

[mymothersdaughter]

This is the first time I have posted in this forum but have received a lot of great information.  My mother has been getting A&A benefits since May of 2008.  I recently had to fill out (for the first time) paperwork pertaining to her expenses, cost of caregivers, etc.  I then received back from the VA a letter stating that her monthly amount was being decreased by 20% and she owes $6000 for overpayments - they say they did not know that she was also getting income from my dad's Army Reserve retirement.

It takes almost everything my mother gets to pay her caregivers - she needs constant care.  I do not pay myself, although I am with her more than anyone - from the time I get home from work until morning and every weekend.  Is there anything that I can/should do to fight this?  Should I start paying myself (is that even allowed?) to bring down her left over income - which wasn't much anyway.

Many thanks.

[vetadmin]

Yes you should start paying yourself and you should double check the math – was income (including reserve payment) minus medical expenses $0 or negative?  If yes, they miscalculated the amount due back.  You can submit all medical expenses to offset that $6k, not just the recurring ones.

[VSR]

Something to keep in mind is that VA only looks at medical expenses; food, utilities, rent, etc aren't even looked at.  Realistically, the best way to go is to either hire an additional caregiver or go the assisted living route.  That would free up equity in her home (assuming she owns one) and would almost certainly zero out her income for VA purposes (since VA can consider the rent of an assisted living facility as a medical expense).

[mymothersdaughter]

Thanks for your replies.  I will definitely look at our options.  I did not zero out her income (big mistake) but will be sure it zeros out from now on.