A&A Pro-Rated?

[Isher]

Dad finally got an an A&A determination of about $460. I called for an explanation of the process and was told the amount is pro-rated depending on income minus medical expenses. It’s my understanding in order to get maximum A&A the Vet’s income must be zero, does that sound correct? Is there a chart somewhere showing income vs A&A amount?

[vetadmin]

Well congratulations on getting through the process for a determination.

To keep matters simple, yes, to the zero at the end of the month or in the negative.  It all comes down to the "countable" income after backing out all allowable medical expenses.

If you feel that he has expenses that were not counted that would have increased the award, you can use a 21-4138 - Statement in Support of Claim to offer additional information for consideration.

Also if his situation changes and his care expenses go up, would suggest the same thing to bring him up to the proper amount with those costs factored in.

[Marp]

Congratulations!  (A little late but I just joined the forum).

If I understand your situation, it's very similar to my parents' situation - their medical expenses are not eating up all of their income yet. After they pay all their medical expenses, they have a few hundred dollars to pay other expenses.

We'd been told by an elder law attorney, that, unless their medical expenses eat up all their income and they have zero left to pay other expenses, they are not eligible for anything.

Your success tells me that is not always the case - a pro-rated benefits are available if a veteran's income isn't quite zero.  I had told the attorney this but he was insistent that income must be reduced to zero or less to get anything.

Dad finally got an an A&A determination of about $460. I called for an explanation of the process and was told the amount is pro-rated depending on income minus medical expenses. It’s my understanding in order to get maximum A&A the Vet’s income must be zero, does that sound correct? Is there a chart somewhere showing income vs A&A amount?

[Fit2009]

Absolutely partial awards are granted!  And, here is the fabulous news, at year end you can submit all the out of pocket medical incidentals you did not get credit for in the original application and they will reimburse you dollar for dollar until you mathematically get up to the maximum pension amount - so tally up those prescription co-pays, incontinence supplies, asprin etc you must have date of purchase.