There is no place for "widowed" on pg 1 Part C

[sduckett]

My fatheris a widower. He is the veteran. Which box if any do I fill out on question 1 under Dependency. Do I need to give a copy of wife's death certificate?

Also, if I already have copies of his recent medical records from his primary physician should I send those with the application to maybe avoid the time for them having to request them from the doctor?

He has a small CD ($6200k) that will not mature until end of March. Do I have to include the very small interest he will make at this time, before it matures?

thanks.

[vetadmin]

Please see this link for step-by-step directions for completing the application:

url]www.veteranaid.org/docs/Step_by_Step_Guide_Veteran.pdf[/url]

See this link for how to count assets and what you can claim for deductions:

www.vetassist.org/eligibility.htm

[sduckett]

Yes, I used the step by step directions to fill it out, but I am still not sure on Part C Section 1.

There is no "widowed" box to check, just 'married,' 'surviving spouse,' 'divorced' and 'never married.' None of those desirbe a widower do they?

And I would still like to know if providing too much backup material initially is a bad thing? I have medical records, death certificate for my step mother, previous divorce papers and all that.

Thanks.

[sduckett]

Also, along the same lines, regarding previous marriages. My dad divorced my mom, remarried and the second wife is deceased. My mother is still living. Do I need to provide information about that first marriage? It doesn't say clearly. On the "important checklist" it says #11 If married more than once, did you provide pertinent information on previous marriages? However, on the step by step instructions it looks like if you check anything other than 'married' you just skip the rest of the stuff. I am confused. He is not currently married.

thank you.

[new57]

i had the same issue with my father, windower from one wife.
the instructions do not address this issue.
since deb told me not to check surviving spouse, i left that question blank.
hopefully that is the correct way.

[sduckett]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes, let's hope we do everything right!

Have you already sent off your application for A&A for your father? Any response from them yet?

I surely hope this will not take the long drawn out time some others on this forum have experienced!

What's our opinion about sending backup docs for everything that is put on the form? For instance, a copy of the social security benefits letter, copies of bank statemetns, etc?

Thanks and good luck!

[new57]

i sent the application on thursday the 21st express mail to philly
it was received on friday the 22nd and signed for.

the only backup document i sent was the social security award letter.

[vbcoder]

sduckett;

Send a copy of everything you put on the form to back it up.Social Security statements,bank statements, receipts for drugs,etc.
Show proof of everything that you can.It's better to send too much than not to send enough info.

[sduckett]

Thanks. That was my feeling, too. I am going to go the 3 ring binder route and just put everything I can in there to backup what I'm filling out on the form.

I'm waiting on a copy of my dad's DD214 although I have an old black on white copy. I'll send both, just in case.

I would rather err on the side of caution than leave something out that just gives 'them' an excuse to put us on the back burner!

Hope you all have great results from your efforts. I don't know about you guys, but my dad has no idea how much time and work is involved in getting him set up in his 'new' home, cleaning out and getting his 'old' home ready for sale and filling out all this paperwork. He says "What's taking so long?" And I have to remember that patience is a virtue! 

[vbcoder]

You're welcome.You only need to send the DD214 that the VA is sending you.It has a stamp on it to validate it to the VA,
but make a copy of it and keep the copy.Everything else,keep the original and send a copy.Never send original documents,only copies.

I know a little of what you're going through.I had to do all of it for myself to get A&A and move into an ELF.
Good luck.

[pologal1979]

select "surviving spouse" it means the same as widowed. if your concerned about this, check surviving spouse and write in "widowed" next to it.

if the dependency section is left blank, the VA will contact the vet via phone or letter to clarify his marital status.  if you leave it blank, the VA will not know he is a widower.

[sduckett]

Thanks. I'll do that and I'll also include a copy of his wife's death certificate for good measure.