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Amuz3d Asked November 2019

I'm looking for clarification. I want to set my 83 year old mother up for the VA’s Aid and Attendance Pension. Any experience with this?

She qualifies, being a widow of a vet. She has some mobility issues, bipolar, schizophrenia and a host of other issues. I was recently told that unless she already had caregivers, which she can’t afford (because she supports my grown brother who has autism) she doesn’t qualify.
This person at the VA also made it sound like it was an income issue.
Nobody took into consideration her support of someone else. I’ve looked online over the past few months and never saw a stipulation that required someone already having caregiving services and nothing about support. Most elderly folks aren’t supporting others and this seems to just be an oversight and never mentioned with regard to income.
Has anybody else had experience with something similar to this situation? Many thanks for help and insight.

JoAnn29 Nov 2019
When it comes to your brother. Does he get Social Security? If so he gets Medicare and Medicaid. If this is so, they really don't support him other than giving him a place to live.

If he does not get the above, he maybe able to and should be. Mom is not going to be around forever. You need to look forward to his future. My nephew has disabilities and a neurological problem. The state helps him with his rent and he has coordinators. He has SSD which he uses for his expenses and an annuity from his Moms death which I use to pay the balance of his rent and utilities. Medicare/Medicaid pays all his health bills.

If he does get help, she may have to prove what she puts out of pocket for him. But you need to apply. Yes, the person you talked to should know what they are talking about but each situation is different. You need to fill out that form and let the VA decide. If she is turned down they will tell u why, you can appeal.

JoAnn29 Nov 2019
Did u go to your local Office?

I agree, Mom needs A&A for care because there is no money for caregivers. Did u even apply then got turned down? If u didn't apply thats what u need to do. Your Dad had to serve during Wartime.

World War II: December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946, inclusive. If the veteran was in service on December 31, 1946, continuous service before July 26, 1947, is considered World War II service.
Korean conflict: June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955, inclusive.
Vietnam era: The period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in the case of a veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. The period beginning on August 5, 1964, and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in all other cases. (Note: From February 28, 1961 to Aug 4, 1964, vet must have boots on the ground.)
Persian Gulf War: August 2, 1990, through date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law.

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worriedinCali Nov 2019
Eligibility for aid & attendance is based on income and assets so that’s why no one looked into who your mother is taking care of. It matters not that she is financially supporting an adult child. That only comes in to play when her benefit amount is determined. If she has a dependent, her A&A amount will be slightly higher than what she would get if she was single & had no dependents. However I’m not sure if the VA pays A&A with adult dependents factored in. It might be minor defendants only.

I’ve not heard that you can’t get A&A unless you already have caregivers. So I can’t answer that question for you. It doesn’t sound right to me though.

lealonnie1 Nov 2019
I live in Colorado. When my Dad fell & broke his hip, I applied for Aid & Attendance for him & my mother so he could get financial assistance to live in an Assisted Living community here in town. There was a $60K limit, I believe......he wasn't allowed to have more than that amount in the bank in order to qualify to receive benefits, and that was the only requirement. The only other income he received was SSI every month. I met with an Elder Care Atty who gave me the name of a State Veteran's Service Officer with the State of Colorado DMVA who actually filled out the application FOR me while I sat in her office and gave her the information she required. Dad was approved for $2200 a month in benefits for him and mom shortly thereafter. After he passed away, my mother now receives $1209 per month to help with her costs in Memory Care.

While I can't answer your question, I can tell you to call the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and ask to speak with the State Veterans Service Officer in your state who can help you figure out all the nonsense involved.

Best of luck!

anonymous972110 Nov 2019
There are income guidelines for Aid and Attendance. Call or visit your local VA and have them help you apply. Have them give you the income/asset limitations and guidelines. I don’t think caring for a grown child has any impact one way or another. Her own healthcare expenses would be the only considerations, not caring for an adult child.

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