I have applied for the Aid and Attendance Benefit for my Mom as the surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran. From what I have been told, she qualifies for this benefit however it seems to be taking an awfully long time and it sometimes feels we are now getting the run around...I am sure there are others of you out there who have gone through this....on average what time frame has it taken for this process to be approved, from start to finish....We began this back in February and still it drags on...Thanks for any info you can give. I am Mom's caregiver 24/7 and cannot work because I cannot leave her.
Good luck.
I again would spring for an attorney.
Also, dont use the VA , they arent on your side, believe me. There are agencies, email me privately if you want the name of one. Your pay will be retroactive and there is 3 months if you go thru a free agency. I waited 17 months and then learned this all, called my congressman and got it in 2 weeks! Well worth the wait, good luck, you should get over $1,000 a month if the person needs fulltime medical care and you are giving it. No, you do not have to be a nurse.
The VSO was very helpful. But, I called for myself. Keep notes on the conversations that you have with the reps. trust me they come in handy.
I also found that even though I was my cousins court appointed guardian and conservator the VA would NOT accept those documents. They required me to complete their paperwork for fiduciary responsibilities. The utterly mind blowing thing that frustrated me was they kept asking me to have my cousin sign documents that she could not understand, even after I explained until I was blue in the face that the woman has Alzheimer's. They didn't care.
So, depending on your situation you may not have to wait as long. I was told that I could submit paperwork for a hardship if I wanted the paperwork processed faster. That meant that my cousin had to be in the process of being evicted and or destitute. Since she didn't meet that criteria, I had to wait it out.
Good luck.
cyoungbooks
First, for well over a year we received no response from VA. Finally the DAV guy called them and they said some needed paper had not been filed with the application. So there was back and forth on that. Then, because my vet had checked a box saying I was needed to handle the utility bill paying, they started a Fiduciary process to declare him incompetent and name me as Fid. (Moral -- if you declare yourself incompent, you're incompetent, LOL.) The DAV guy knew who to call at the VA, said they don't like appointing Fiduciaries becasue it is extra paperwork for them, so they default to Competent if they can. We also sent letters from his civilian doctor and lawyer, but that might not have been necessary.
Finally the VA sent a denial of the claim. So it has been back and forth with NODs etc, again us push DAV to push VA, push push. The denial may be legit according to their regulations, something wierd about the disabiity having to be service connected or blah blah -- but our DAV guy says the claim should qualify, so I guess we'll keep trying. Trying through DAV doesn't cost anything except time and headaches. If someone knows a better agency to try through (Seattle area), pls let me know!
@ smg2013, there would be retro payments if it's ever approved. (You might try fighting for this through a good representative.)
@ grannyof12, in WA nothing has been said about being in a facility -- he's not. VA is federal, so I don't see how it would be different in different states. Since it was a facility that told you he'd have to move in, be suspicious, check with an agency that is not trying to get you as a customer!
It is extremely important that you consider and plan for the possibility of the applicant needing rehabilitation care or nursing home care in the future which VA Pension does not cover. The Medicaid ICP Program covers the above types of care. Since the VA rules are very different than Medicaid rules, preparing for both programs concurrently is essential.
We went thru the DAV who originally helped us with my husbands claim, tho we lived in New Hampshire when he first filed. And the VA there was not as overwhelmed as here in NE FL.
His Social Worker at the VA gathered all paperwork we needed to file for A&A and the DAV SO we saw was impressed with what she put together for us..
With the filing the VA found hubby incompetent and I am now his Federal Fiduciary.
Yes, he needs help with his ADL's.. I have give him his meds, cook, clean for him.. He does not drive anymore. I help bathe him, help him dress and at times in the bathroom..
This week the roll in shower that we got from a HISA grant was put in and that is helpful with my back and worries about his getting and in out of tub. Tomorrow, we pick up his new mobility scooter and lift for the car.. The HISA grant and scooter (he has a used one that I bought that comes apart to go into car) were all suggested by and appts set up by his social worker.. Sadly, she recently left and moved to another VA area to be close to family..
No one could never answer me why we only got the $200+ a month. Even the field examiner from the Fiduciary Office thought we were not getting enough.. THO, I have also learned there are some things not to push within the VA as you can lose what you have. As someone who works there said to me, "the VA gives and the VA takes away." and we cant afford to have any taken away.. I really would like an answer as to how they come to the figure they award for A&A..
I know sometime in the future I will not be able to care for him anymore.. I have paperwork to fill in for the Veterans Home. I just haven't the heart to fill it in, guilt feelings . And if and when he goes there I will lose the A&A since I wont be his caregiver anymore.
THe VA also pays for him to go to Adult Day Care, he can go 5 days, but I usually bring him 2, except when the workers were here for the roll in shower, then he and the dog went to their day cares for the noise and disruptions.
And he goes to respite 2 times a year for 2 weeks..
In the end, I really cant complain about the VA, I know many have issues with them. I feel we are fortunate that he was found 100% P&T at first filings..
I have learned, who and how to ask for things. But I still feel I am worth more then $212 a month! even a part time job @ 10 hours a week I would make more then that!
And I agree re the $200 amount that someone is getting...that sounds way off...especially if they require 24/7 care and you are the one who gives it...you can appeal that....and I do think a congressman who works with the VA is MUCH more helpful than an attorney..a lot of attorney's dont even know about this and the ones who do are in it for one thing.....