My father was a veteran and has passed on. Now my mother has been put in a hospice facility, can she get aid from the VA?

If I'm not mistaken and your dear Mother is on Medicare, they pay for most of hospice care. I hope this helps.

It's a moot point now since my mother has passed on, but I do wonder if the VA gave me the wrong answer. She could have really used A & A since she barely eked out a living.

SCAdvive, such great information! I filled out all of the forms for AIDE & ATTENDANCE for my FIL last year, and provided all of the documents you described, and turned them in on what was called a (FDC) FULLY DEVELOPED CLAIM, which when done properly and Completely, was able to fast track his claim through the VA in only 3 weeks time, I had also sent in an INTENT TO FILE letter, so that the VA would back pay him to that date, and they did, about 2 months worth of monies. He was allowed the maximum, which was over 1700 dollars, that went a long way towards paying for his Assisted Living costs per month, which along with his usual monthly income, he didn't have to take money out of his savings, and he actually had a couple of hundred dollars left over to save monthly. Was he ever tickled to receive something from the VA, after serving twice, his original enlistment, and then being called back in during the Korean War. He was deserving indeed!

The monies continued through onto his death, even while he returned to our home on Hospice the final 9 weeks of his life. I wished we had started the process much earlier, but we were deterred, thinking he wouldn't have qualified while he lived in our home, only to find out that this was probably not true, as he could have received benefits, possibly at a lesser amount, but that he would also have been privy to many other VA benefits that we were unaware of.

A & A is a much misunderstood and under-utilized benefit available to many Veterans out there, it's a shame that they don't advertise this more, though I don't know how. Maybe through the AARP magazine that so many seniors receive, or through television commercials. Don't be discouraged, even if you are denied the first attempt, as All you can do is try!

DigitalBanker, the whole family "serves" when a member is in service. The whole family learns new ways of support and coping, especially the wife and children, and especially if the serving member is injured or is KIA.

SCAdvice could elaborate on this more eloquently than I. All of my family who served came home, and for thank I'm thankful.

GranJan, Not the same as assisted care. You can have some assets, but you need to understand ALL the rules. This site is helpful in that respect for the information given. However, I’m not recommending using them for any services. Just read the info.

payingforseniorcare.com/longtermcare/resources/veterans_pension

If you still need help understanding the rules that apply in your case call the veterans affairs office I referred to in my first post.

Grandma1954, My understanding is… according to federal law, you cannot be charged for help in filing for "veterans surviving spouse assistance".

Digitalbanker, As a vet I totally disagree with your comment. Have you served or put your life at risk for your country?

You will need to prove former marriages. This slowed my filing down. There is an Income limit too.

Since my late mother took the death benefit payout when my father died in 1967 and she died in 2014, she did not get anything further, even after we had asked the VA multiple times.

Yes, she can but it is like Medicaid, she can't own anything or have money.

I have it now for my mother, she is legally blind and housebound. We first tried 3 years ago, had someone from the VA come out and do all the paperwork for us. Received a rejection and it was because we (she) did not fill out a few lines. We were so confused and just gave up until I went to a seminar for it and tried again. Again, someone from the office came out (even though she said they usually don't do that). This time we were approved. Even though they tell you it is retro to when you first filed, I think they skipped a month for us. I was told I would get $495 a month. The field examiner came out to fill out more paperwork for me to be approved, and made a comment that he didn't know why I was not receiving the maximum ($1,200). But he would not tell me how to go about it. So I went back to the person who initially set us up and she filled out more papers. Then I get a letter saying because my mom gets a monthly annuity (which they knew about and took into account), I was going down to $249 and would have to pay back all I was overpaid. So I would say let somebody fill out the papers for you, don't stress because it is so confusing. but give it a try, it helps but the process is infuriating.

Personally for me I wouldn't know about that one. One thing that puzzles me though is why would the spouse get aid if they never served? I could understand if the spouse also served but I don't think that kind of aid should be given to those who never served

To apply for the Aid & Attendance Improved Pension, you will need the following documents. Prepare these before making your filing.

Discharge/Separation Papers (DD-214). If you need to request military records, you can either fill out Standard Form 180 visit www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180 Full instructions on how to request military records is listed on that site.

Copy of Marriage Certificate and all marital information.

Copy of the Death Certificate (surviving spouses only).

Copy of current Social Security Award Letter (the letter that Social Security sends at the beginning of the year stating what your monthly amount will be for the following year).

Net Worth information, including bank accounts, CDs, Trusts, Stocks, Bonds, Annuities, etc.

Proof of all income from pensions, retirement, interest income from investments, annuities, etc.

If you are a court-appointed guardian of the veteran or surviving spouse, a certified copy of the court order of the appointment is required.

Proof of insurance premiums, medications, medical bills or any other medical expenses that are not reimbursed by insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.

Physician statement (Physicians Report for Aid & Attendance or VA form 21-2680) that includes current diagnosis, medical status, prognosis, name and address, ability to care for self, ability to travel unattended, etc.

If you are a veteran in a nursing home, or a family member of a veteran in a nursing home, you can use this form as a certification of that status :

Nursing Home Status Statement VA form 21-0779

Banking information for Direct Deposit of A&A monthly payments (include a voided check).

Employment history (does not apply if you are over 65).

List of all doctors and hospitals visited in the last year.

The Forms List:

First thing be sure to file a VA form-534EZ even before you have all the other documentation this starts the process and sets the starting date for payments (our AA took about just about three months and mom was sent those three months of back payment.

VA form 21- 0845 Main info sheets (10 pages) and also so they will talk to you for mom and dad. If need be.


VA form 21-2680 Doctors form Note...Be sure the doctor actually signs not an PA.

Call Veterans Benefits at 1-800-827-1000 and they will get you in the right direction plus e-mail you the the above paperwork and other helpful info.

If her husband was a war time veteran she may qualify as his widow. It is needs based. Check with a VA center. Go to www.VA.gov and find the nearest VA center.

I just had to do this and they are extremely helpful. The name of the organization is Veteran's Financial Inc and their number is 800-835-1541. They are not associated with the Veterans administration but at no charge will let you know what forms are required and once completed will review them before you send them off for review. They have been extremely helpful. Give them a call.

Your mother could be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendant care benefit. This benefit is only available to veterans or their widowed spouse IF THE VETERAN SERVED DURING WAR TIME. The veteran is not required to have been in combat. He could have been a file clerk in Florida, as long as it was during war time. You will be required to provide your dad’s DD214/discharge papers and the discharge can be any reason OTHER THAN DISHONORABLE . Best of luck! It can be a long process. (I worked in an elder law office educating potential clients on state benefits and the Aid and attendant care benefit)

If she qualifies financially for the Aid and Attendance benefit, the VA will help. The process is lengthy and if she’s already in hospice, she may not live long enough to see any VA assistance. My sister started trying to get help for her husband who was placed on Home hospice in March from the VA. He died in October without any assistance from them. But it’s worth a try. My FIL and MIL received help for the last year of his life and my MIL is getting help now. With the money she gets, she able to stay in her home. We were blessed as we found a caregiver who needed a home and we pay her a flat rate plus room and board. She’s our angel!! They’re hard to find. Good luck!! VA info can be found on line. Merry Christmas 🎄

I'm sorry to learn of your family's struggle right here at the holiday season. Please be aware that if you file for non-service connected pension plus Aid & Attendance that if your mom should pass prior to adjudication, the VA will pay -0- dollars to the claimant (mom). There will be no retro-pay forthcoming either. The VA will close the claim. If hospice is being covered by medicare this will not be an expense you can count for filing purposes. Aid and attendance is NOT a stand alone program. It is a special monthly benefit which can be added to service connected compensation or basic pension.

You can contact the VA or a local Veterans Commission Office. Either will help at NO charge. There are people that will help file paperwork but they my charge.
If you can not locate a Veterans Commission Office stop in at a Recruiting Center or the local VFW and see if anyone there can give you numbers to call.

Yes, my mom is the widow of a veteran. She gets help through Aid and Attending. Check with your local VA office. They will help you

I just learned about Aid and Assistance for Veterans. Program from VA to help veterans (and maybe spouse). Check with VA coordinator for your county. There are eligibility guidelines that have to be met.

Bumping up.