Where Can I get the forms needed to file for the “little known” pension referred to in the above article?

What if the spouse and the veteran have been divorced for 20 years? and the veteran has remarried?

I am a care giver for my Mother a Surviving Spouse who has dementia. I've been searching for assistance, but seems as though my Mother makes to much be month to qualify for anything. After reading this article I'm seeing there may be a solution. I maybe even get paid for taking care of her. I'm open to any suggestions. I read to go to Social Workers for assistance

Thang you, however, my mother and I reside in a HUD multi-family section 8 senior/elderly housing 202 and although I have an amount ($) that I transfer into my personal bank account as her approved aid and attendant...HUD includes her entire pension including the A&A as income. According to 24 CFR 5.609 (C)(4) States, "#284 - VA Aid & Attendance
VA Aid & Attendance
We have received several requests to clarify how VA Aid & Attendance payments are to be treated with respect to annual income and the regulation for medical expense exclusion (24 CFR 5.609(c)(4)). According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an enhanced or special monthly pension benefit paid in addition to basic pension. An individual cannot be eligible for receiving A&A without first
establishing eligibility for a basic VA pension. Below are the four instances the VA indicates a veteran may be eligible for A&A.
1. The Veteran requires the aid of another person in order to perform his or her activities of daily living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting himself/herself from the hazards of his/her daily environment, OR,
2. The Veteran is bedridden, in that his/her disability or disabilities requires that he/she remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or
treatment, OR,
3. The Veteran is a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR,
4. The Veteran has corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less, in both eyes, or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less.
There is no statutory or regulatory exclusion for the A&A benefit. Because of this, the benefit must be included as income.
Owners are reminded pursuant to 24 CFR 5.609(c)(4), any money received by the family that is specifically for, or in reimbursement of, the cost of medical expenses for
any family member is excluded from annual income. Because of this, the owner must verify any amount provided for A&A which is used for medical expenses and exclude the verified amount. Any portion of the benefit not being used for medical expenses must be included as income."

Problem: HUD personnel do not recognize that a family caregiver, "A, VA (A &A) is a paid caregiver and monies received are a medical expense and is not to be included in income.

If incorrect? Please, somebody tell me where and how to compute monies earmarked for medical deduction is it a disability deduction.

portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=DOC_20461.pdf

You need to go to your Social Worker at your local clinic and talk to a social worker. Will probably need to do a means test to verify income first.

See a social worker at the VA clinic or a va hospital. They will help you with Aid and Attendance. Dont pay these shysters doing something the VA does for free. My Dad 83 ended up in hospital and taljed to social worker there on floor where his room was. He was already getting $133 a month to make up for what living expenses were above his social security. Knowing he was going to need more help we applied to increase it. Took a few months but he was increased to $834 a month.

You dont have to be service connected to get aid and attendence. They look at your income and living expenses and will pay aid and attendance to make up difference so that a Veteran doesn't have to live in poverty.

We are in the low income group. Where are the forms that we need to file. Skl

Excellent article. Yes, I too was a sort of victim by an attorney who charged me $600.00 for an hr. and gave me internet printed off info on veterans benefits. I have seen him at caregivers meetings likely trolling the waters.

This benefit process is a joke. We were in the system for over 18 months while Mother was suffering from Alzheimer's. Lack of communication or explanation only added to the frustration. We struggled to meet her nursing home costs during that period. A State Representative and a Congresswoman for MA could not get the VA's attention. Five months without answer to any of our telephone and emails. My mother then died in April 2013 and within 3 days the VA finally responded with a letter of Termination of Application. So much for retro pay of this benefit. We now are left with several thousand dollars worth of bills. My father was with the Air Force for a total of 33 years - this benefit process is a poor excuse for his loyalty.

i'm a 100% service connected vet.can i get any help with my sick mother,nursing home?or anything

Does eligibility mean only service-connected disability or just active duty. My former husband is a Korean War veteran 81 years old now, but no service-connected disability,.

I have been caring for my Dad for a year now, he is 90 and a veteran of WW2 I have been looking for a job but there are certain times that I have to be here with him and don't think I can leave him for a long period of time...he has been taking care of both our bills and I feel like I should be bringing in some money of my own. I wondered is there anyway the government could help me pay my bills and not depend on Dad. I moved here from FL and I gave up my job and moved in with him since then he has had a pacemaker put in and has problems with passing out and balance he also doesn't have good judgement with some things. I am scared to leave him some days and others he seems okay.. could someone please help me. I would have to take care of all the paperwork for him and I sold my car when I moved here so I drive him everywhere in his truck, so I am limited as to what I can do.

If my dad is currently receiving benefits for a war injury, would he also be eligible for the special pension for needed in home care for both my parents? I currently quit my job to move in and care for them. We all are living on their social security and small ck from my dads service while in the korean war. It is not enough to meet our housing, utilities, travel, food, etc. We have just enough for housing and utilities and food needs are a problem every month. Can I get paid to care for them? Otherwise, I will have to return to work and the state would have to pay for assistance anyway......

My mother was married to my father for over 20 years before they divorced. He was a Veteran of 13 years. Died many years ago. Would she qualify for this benefit?

YES, Merchant Marines are now considered vets. Call your local Veterans Affairs. I called today and found out i have to fill out one form to get another form to get benefits.
Depending on when he served it may cost to have them do the work. Its $30 if not during a certain time. My dad served during the correct time frame so I won't have to pay, but either way they offer very good benefits that will be very helpful!!

Are merchant marines covered under these benefits?

Well I will say that I understand about all the paper work that must be fill out. Because I am the caregiver for my brother who's an one hundred percent disable Vet.I have applied for A

My father-in-law was a Veteran and he thought his oldest son had the brains to get his mother the money she needed. Wrong I investigated and found out the max she get get by talking with rep and it pays to talk to more than one so you get the most you are owed to. Its a long process and takes a long time to get but the good news is they do back pay to the time you start your claim.

Iknow so many vets that could have used this service and because of techonolgytoday and caring people in this great country we can all come togather in this time of great need. thank you so much JM.