Has anyone applied for VA Aid & Attendance?

Just remember to keep a copy of everything you send to the VA - they have a tendency to lose things. And keep nagging them.

The $80k is not a hard and fast rule. Unfortunately, VA customer service (?) representatives will give you conflicting info every time you call, because I have called several times and never got the same info

A website mentioned earlier in this string, vetangels.org, helps free of charge and says that the "net worth cannot be excessive," each case is decided individually, and that consideration is given to life expectancy, available income, cost of unreimbursed medical and care.

An article about the book "Checks for Vets," which is referenced on this website (agingcare.com), says pretty much the same as the vetangels.org website and that is there is no net worth limit, but not excessive depending on individual cases. Though this article/book says that the $80K does not include a home and car of no maximum value. I think Medicaid has a max value of $500K on the house, but no max on a car.

Several sources (I can't remember which ones), other than the VA, said that that the VA does not do a "look back" like Medicaid. Though Medicaid, at least in our state, allows spend down on home maintenance in their 5 year look back. So, my take away from this is that if you are going to spend down, do home improvements to boost its value, and possibly a newer more dependable car. However, on the Medicaid side you'd want to make sure the title of the home protects the surviving spouse's interest, if Medicaid tries to recoup from the estate. I have not been able to determine if the VA tries to recoup from the estate.

@ ferris,
the va is probably stalling out hoping john mcsame will die. lol..
we applied for a and a thru an agency called aging avenues. no charge, they handled the va s usual stall-ery and we would have gotten our first check 4 months into the process. mom died a month before we became eligible. you definately want an advocate because they anticipate va demands and provide crucial evidence before the va can use it to stall you with.

i went to the local veterans center in my city . they told me what i needed they filled out all the forms online or you can go to an american legion office and get help how to apply mine has been 4 months and i just contacted my district congress man office the caseworker now handeling it is a process however i will not except because of being old they get put under the pile i am his carEgiver and i want him to get what he is intitled too oh also alot of prayer too GOD IS AWESOME

I used a Veterans Aid group locally in my Mom's town. She is 90 and it has been 5 months now. I call every couple of weeks but they just say "pending". I found all the info online. Suggestion! Read all the helpful posts from others. Just the right wording on the application can make the decision to give you benefits or NOT give you benefits. So still waiting!

I am a caregiver i have a private patient veteran, i applied for aid and attendance home health care 3 months later 1 x per month a letter just stating pending these are generated letters from a computer , i contacted my local congressman office spoke to the case manager i got forms signed for them as a 3rd party to contact the va center and my clients wife withen 3 days got a call and they are sending a va social worker to the house to verify all info that was given contact your congress man and let them do the talking. his wife and i are in constant prayer and i know it will come through to many times agencies and va because vets are older with medical necessities are just set aside we need to be their voice for them and help the families..

I did it myself for my Mama. Wonderful website for help.
www.veteranaid.org

My brother applied for Veterans Aid and Attendance on our mother's behalf. He didn't use a lawyer or other intermediary, and he got the forms and information from the Veterans Administration. He filled out the forms very carefully, made sure all the required paperwork was there, and sent it in 9 months ago. It was approved this month. She got a retroactive lump sum payment for the nine months since the date of filing and will receive about $550/month. This is the state of Florida.

Contact your local Veterans Administration and ask who the Veterans Advocates are onsite at your nearest facility. The chapter of Disabled Veterans of America (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans (PV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to name a few are excellent FREE resources that help veterans submit the right forms with the right preexisting records AND they will do this for FREE. It isn't difficult to apply but you must meet very specific criteria as far as ratings, already entitled to pension benefits, and certain losses. Check out this site for info on the process and requirements (http://www.veteranaid.org/apply.php) and links to government forms required to file. When you compile your claim for submittal ****NEVER, EVER*** submit your only/original documents to the VA -- make them a COPY and KEEP the originals for yourself -- if you have to resubmit 20 times to get them to acknowledge it, all you will have to do is recopy your original packet and send them yet another copy! Also, FedEx or certify mail your claim so you have tracking. There is also a website for veterans called 'eBenefits.VA.GOV' that allows veterans to create a profile and monitor their claim...occasionally the site even functions well enough to accept uploaded documents within the claim status links -- but I've heard the most reliable way to have your documents acknowledged by VA is tracked mail.