Would any VA Survivor Benefits recipient know if 9% of the original pension is a reasonable assumption for a widow?

I never understood why Mom got turned down. Something about 13k. When I got the letter, I had applied for Medicaid and was placing her in LTC. When Mom entered the AL she only had about 48k. Each month it went down 5k. She only got 1700 monthly. I wanted the A&A to offset her AL costs. Have a feeling who ever was doing the application didn't calculate in that Moms money would be gone in a year. But u can't have Medicaid and A&A. So I let it go.

Returned check via mail to Treasury Dept.; hope this speeds the replacement check. Frustrating dealing with the delay.

The application for Survivor's Benefits was turned down by the VA; investigation proved that Rep entered me as asking for "service-connected disability survivor's pension." I never said anything of the sort; Spouse was "non-service connected disability" and Rep had all the information in the computer screen right before him as he filled out the forms. The denial letter of one week ago is being appealed by the same Rep, so let's hope this goes well. Still no burial expenses replacement check; Social Worker says to wait till Tuesday, one full month, before opening inquiry.

@JoAnn29 Yes, that's the case and I'd do that if I didn't want to doublecheck that the entire application wasn't messed up with the name. Thankfully, the VA social worker got on it immediately, clarified that the burial allowance form was the only form misapplied, and there's a replacement check on its way. It was good to note that the VA appt was on 1/28 and the check arrived on 2/8 because that's warp speed for government work! I'm still awaiting any notice re survivor's pension.

Yesterday the VA sent a check for burial expenses made out to my middle name only.

The VA officer's meeting went well. It's bound to take a few weeks or even months to hear back from them; I was frustrated in acquiring Spouse's divorce decree because County Courthouse became covid-closed on Thursday and didn't update their website, which said 'open to walkins until 3'. The courthouse /did/ have live people answering their phone until 1.30 re this issue and said 'get it by mail,' about a 3 week deal I'll bet. VA officer worked around the 'date of divorce decree' on his form and submitted it as is. I'm going to order a copy of the decree by mail anyway since it sounds a good idea to have it. It's tough to pay $200 for Ubering in a lost cause, though; thank goodness the scenery proved delightful and the drivers chatty. I'd driven that highway so many times in past years it was a nostalgic trip.

Prinker, perhaps the divorce decree, if they divorced in the US would suffice.

When I helped my mom apply for my dads SS benefits I had to provide the divorce paperwork not the marriage certificate.

Maybe because a divorce decree is a legal court document?

Best of luck on the 28th.

I think you should just wait till your appt to ask any questions. Maybe take someone with you. We all tend to miss something and I have found a second pair of ears are great.

Make sure you take ALL your husbands service records. My Dad had left his in the envelope they were handed to him in. I was told that I had a lot more info than some people coming in. There are two discharge papers. The pretty one for framing and the type written one and thats the one needed. Take a blank check because a VA check gets direct deposited. I took Dads SS card, his license and birth certificate. You may need to prove former marriages. So take any papers to do with this. After 40 yrs married to the same man, I have my divorce papers. The more you have paperwork wise, the better.

Remember, you can always appeal.

The VA will calculate his benefits. His pension, length of service and rank are all factors. Insurance benefit is also determined. Keep your appointment with the VA caseworker. They were very helpful in getting my mom my dad’s pension amount and her eligibility for Aid & Attendance.

I found this at VA.gov:

For qualified surviving spouses with no dependents:

If you have no dependents and…
You don’t qualify for Housebound or Aid and Attendance benefits
Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $):
9,896
If you have no dependents and…
You qualify for Housebound benefits
Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $):
12,094
If you have no dependents and…
You qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits
Your MAPR amount is (in U.S. $):
15,816

Pronker, was any of your husband's health issues, that led to his death, affiliated with his service?

My Uncle passed from exposure to chemicals in Vietnam and my Aunt was able to get a settlement, nice monthly pension and great health insurance.

I will ask her for the attorney information if the answer is yes. It could very well be worth it to speak with her.