My mom is totally dependent on someone to stay with her, so my sisters and I, with the help of a day sitter four days a week, are taking turns staying with her. I applied for Aid & Attendance through the VA because her funds are getting depleted and she missed the qualifying mark by about $10. We could claim the sitter's pay, but my sisters are worried about giving them W2s or 1099s and all the associated paperwork. Mom hasn't had to file a 1040 in several years and they don't want to start that back up. I feel this is a needless worry, that the IRS won't bother about a 90 year old's tax return, or making her pay employee withholdings, which we don't deduct from their pay. What say any of you?
Spend down mom's money so she'll be eligible for Medicaid. She'll have to go into a NH because you won't have the kind of care available for her that you have now with home healthcare.
There are so many people in the same situation as your mom's. People are outliving their money.
Daughter4 - Good luck to you. I didn't choose Pilot's path either and know that I've done everything within my power to take care of my mom in the best way possible. I don't regret my decisions either.
The FTC correctly states:
It is free to apply for veterans’ benefits. If you’re completing the application yourself, don’t pay for forms. If someone is helping you, know that the people who are accredited through the VA are not allowed to charge you to help you complete and submit VA paperwork
See All Answers