New to this forum and needing guidance.

[suse]

I too donated yesterday and in a very short time have received far more information and knowledge than what I was able to donate.  I wish it could have been more.  My husband is a veteran and has recently been diagnosed with a form of parkinsonism, Lewy Bodies Dementia.  While it is a common disease it is not well known to most people and even physicians.  My husband is not ready for assisted living but could not do everything for himself, including his medication, without my being right there with him.  It is a very dibilitating disease with widely fluctuating symptoms within days and even hours.  When I tried to get his medication through the VA I was told I had to see their neurologist and social services.  Our appointment for both is tomorrow.  My question is how do I know when to start the process for A&A?  A website for caregivers for this disease, lbda.org, says it is important for me to start it due to the possibility of a crisis for him at any given time. Also any suggestions on how my husband and I should approach these visits tomorrow will be greatly appreciated.

[vetadmin]

Suse,

Thank you for your kind words and your donation.  I'm glad to know that you are finding what you need here, and we will do our best to help you through this process.

He has to be paying someone for care and services to make an application.  You as the wife cannot be compensated for that care as the VA feels it is appropriate for spouses to care for one another without payment.

You do have the option to file an "informal" claim that gives you up to a year to submit a completed application.  What the informal claim does is to start the clock on the effective date.

Given that his situation is one that can change in such a short amount of time, makes it a bit more challenging.  You might want to start gathering all the documents, and filling out basic information on the application, and have things more or less ready to go rather than trying to do it all in a crisis mode.

I would also suggest you look here on the forums under the Tips and Resouce tab and do the "countable income" formula.  Keep in mind that there is a financial means test for this pension.

Regarding the visits tomorrow, don't be surprised it's really hard to say, and if you ask about this pension, it would not be uncommon for you to  get misinformation.  keep us posted.

[suse]

I just finished a post that somehow didn't go through and must be lost in cyberspace.  So I will try again...I have sent in my informal request and received the VA confirmation it was received.  I visited an assisted living facility today and felt relieved that it was not the stereotype I have been envisioning.  They are also building another to be completed in 9 months that will be right behind our home.  While my husband doesn't need it now I know he will in the future. I am his primary caregiver but will the A&A pay for someone to come in 2 or 3 days a week to assist in his care?  If so does this person have to be a family member or  a licensed home caregiver?  Can my husband receive A&A and still reside at home?  Does a couple both have to be in a facility to qualify for the couple pension? This facility is $98 a day which we do not have.  Can the vet receive the A&A and Medicaid?  Any help will be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to answer any questions I haven't thought to ask.  I am feeling so lost again.

Suse