Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
M
MattinKansas Asked June 2018

Divorced spouse of a 20 yr. vet needing proof that she does not receive any military benefits. Any suggestions?

Proof from the military is needed by KanCare so that her Medicare premium will be paid by the state. She has filed the paperwork twice, once it was lost and the second time she has not heard anything in months from the military, how can she get them off of their butts to send her either an award or rejection letter for assistance to provide to KanCare so she can move forward with the assistance needed from them? Thanks, Matt (Her Son)

GardenArtist Jun 2018
Matt, try another avenue. Contact the local county VA service officers, the VFW or American Legion and ask them to provide you with the number for the units that help folks qualify with the VA. Then ask one of those unit staffers if they can help with this issue. They know how to streamline qualification issues.

MattinKansas Jun 2018
She gets Tricare for Life because of the 20/20/20 deal. She recently got copies of her divorce papers showing that their is no spousal support or maintenance to be provided to her, she got to keep the house and land 12 years ago as long as she agreed that his retirement would be all his. Maybe KanCare will except the divorce papers as proof. This will be the third time applying for her, denied the first time after 45 days of waiting because they had asked for bank statements, gave them all to them and then claimed they wanted the USAA statements (which they didn't mention USAA in the letter) She let them know that USAA was auto insurance only, then denied the second time after a 90 day wait of proof from the military. So, not looking forward to re-applying without complete info to show them. Thanks for all of the replies. -Matt

ADVERTISEMENT


JoAnn29 Jun 2018
Have no idea why they are asking. My understanding is divorced spouses are not entitled to VA benefits. How can you prove something you never received. Call your local VA office to see if they can help.

GardenArtist Jun 2018
Matt, does your mother have a checking account into which any benefit would be deposited? If so, you might try providing checking account statements to KanCare, reflecting that no benefits are received. I don't know of any other way that benefits could be paid by the VA, so the checking account statement should be somewhat definitive, although if KanCare is by the book, they'll probably want the no benefit affirmation from the VA.

There is a VA benefits department; I contacted them to cancel benefits when my father passed. I don't know if that would help but it might. The number is 800.827.1000; but be prepared to spend some time, it's strictly a voice system unless you figure out which magic number gets you to a real person. I had to go through the menu 3 times in some cases and just kept trying before I got through the maze.

OldSailor Jun 2018
You might be able to show that she does not receive anything from him through his annual or monthly statement. That should show that she does not receive any of his retirement check. She may still be eligible for tricare health insurance. I am not sure on that one. If they should ask about dental insurance, it should or would be reflected on his earning statement.
A copy of the divorce decree may include anything he would be required to provide.
This is assuming that he did in fact retire and not just exit the military as some have done out of spite.

Ahmijoy Jun 2018
I’m not familiar with the VA, but am with people dropping the ball. There’s nothing like an in-person visit. A phone call is second best, because it’s easier to stonewall a faceless voice on the phone than in person. Can you visit your local VA office and politely but firmly tell them that your aren’t leaving until they’ve looked up Mom’s records and give you what you need?

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter