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JHAAA, Topeka check this out and found that My Aid and Attendance should not be considered income and SRS agreed. I got my food stamps started again. I moved out to Beverly Kansas because the VA felt that I can no longer take care of myself since I had an infection set-in my right foot. I was also taking Morphine and strong sleeping pills which caused a mental break-down, in March through June 2012. My daughter was hired by Windstor Home care for me to include changing the bandage on my right foot daily.
Getting back to DCF has cut off my Food Stamps once again in the amount of $130.00. I pay rent living with my daughter, I buy my own food and cook same. I also pay my own bills. A reduction of $130.00 hurts. How am I going to get enough protein and gain my weight back by suggestion of my VA Wound Clinic Doctor. Since my last heart attack I went from 304 pounds down to 179 pounds and I was gaining some of it back till the cut off.
JHAAA worked hard to get my Food Stamps restored in May 2011 only so it can be taken away 2 years later? If there was a change in regulations, I sure would to know to whom to write next.
I do not live in your area and the reason that I am writing you is because I have been here for exactly 13 months and I don't know who is my case worker. I have been switched around so many times I do not know if I am coming or going.

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Please contact your local VA or County/City Health & Human Services. I do know that who ever gets paid the Aid and Attendance $ has to report it as income. It can not go even to a spouse, even though the spouse is more than likely to be doing the most caregiving. There has to be a social worker connected to the VA somewhere in your area. I won't say "good luck" as "luck" has nothing to do with it when the government is involved. It's called perseverance of the fittest with a good advocate helping you. Keep us posted.
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With Obamacare and rules changing so much, it was my understanding food stamps would only be given if income was insufficient. But, since you receive Aid and Attendance tax-free pension, that would count as an "income" would it not? Also, the Aid and Attendance pension is given for those who need 24/7 care with disabilities so severe (dementia, medical conditions, etc.) one cannot care for oneself. You mention you are taking care of yourself mainly with only assistance from your daughter to change the dressings on your foot wounds. Contact your local VA or whomever is prescribing your morphine/sleeping drugs and discuss your situation. Food stamps are not an entitlement that lasts forever. Two years is typical of allowing persons to get on their feet financially and your Aid and Attendance is your income, along with social security and military pension (if you are retired 20+ yrs.). There are many more who are not in your financial situation with no income. Best wishes on the recovery of your foot condition and your weight sounds great the way it is.
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No one has asked so maybe everyone but me knows what JHAAA stand for. Could you please be so kind as to say?
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Aid and Attendance (A&A) is NOT reported as income for federal income tax (it is tax-exempt), therefore you do not report it to the IRS). However, various government agencies may have quite different regulations. Also, the VA has very strict requirements for continuance of A&A, because A&A is intended for wartime veterans' supplemental care (i.e., doesn't pay everything) when the vet cannot care for themselves due to disability. The A&A DOES allow family caregivers to be paid IF each family caregiver signs an affidavit and keeps good records (such as invoices/vouchers) related to their hours of work. Whomever oversees payment for family caretakers is subject to VA audit, so it is very important to keep good records. Also, A&A requires the expenditure of at least 105% of the veterans' non-A&A income on the veterans' care, or the veteran will no longer qualify for A&A. Food Stamp programs, run by states, have their own rules and regulations and criteria can vary between states. If you are a veteran, check with an authorized VSO (veterans service organization), or a VA social worker to help you untangle the reasons for denial, and perhaps help find alternative helps. I am so sorry for your medical condition and hope that solutions will come soon.
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The Aid & Attendance portion of the VA pension is not counted as income even by Medicaid. However, they treat the base pension as income unless, as I did, you get the local Veterans Service Officer to break down the two parts and state that the amount other than A & A is for Unreimbursed medical expenses (UMEs).
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There must be different rules for different states. Where we live, the A&A could not be paid to the spouse and anyone who got the payment had to report it as income. That was told to us by the county VA. Lots of different rules...
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I believe that in Ohio if you get on Medicaid- your VA Aid and Attendance drops to $90/month. You can't have both.
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