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VA pension has rated him as eligible for medical reasons but denied funds because of income. What can I do to qualify for VA help?

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Contact your local Veterans Assistance Commission or your States Department of Veterans Affairs. They may be able to help.
If it is a matter of assets you might need the help of an Elder Care Attorney to help with Trusts.
There are firms that can help navigate some of the process with the VA but they do charge for their service. the Veterans Assistance Commission and or your States Department of Veterans Affairs will do the same for free.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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LADeGo Jun 1, 2025
Do NOT EVER use someone who charges for their services. Call Disabled American Vets or the VFW for help. They have trained VSOs and do NOT charge.
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Rod Powers Veteran's Benefits for Dummies might be worthwhile buying on Amazon. About 25.00. The rules are difficult to grasp and they vary according to so many things including qualifying medically, whether service was in war time of not, and where served. You really need someone in the know. I understand you can call and request a counselor for information. I sure do wish you the best of luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Your husband served for 20 years? How old is he? Does he receive Medicare? Social Security? What kind of help are you looking for?

I have a friend, served 2 yrs and fought in Viet Nam, who gets medical benefits through the VA hospital. He receives medicare too. He and his wife had very good jobs and now good pensions.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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There is a caregiver hotline. Start there. Also call local/county Veteran Service Agency. They can guide you.
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Reply to Dianed58
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Did you apply for Aids and Attendance because that is income related.

"The VA Aid and Attendance pension has specific income and asset limits. For example, in 2023, a single veteran's income could not exceed $2,229 per month, while a married veteran's income could not exceed $2,642 per month. Additionally, there's a net worth limit, which was $129,094 in 2020, and increases annually with inflation."
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Hi. It does NOT matter how long your loved one served. You’re applying for VA benefits not military retired (TRICARE for Life) benefits. What matters is they’ve been rated for disability and deemed eligible for VA benefits. That’s the start of the process. JoAnn29 (is that my friend JoAnn in TX with the horses???) gave a great answer on aid & attendance being income limited. Other benefits are not.

i recommend you call A Veterans Service Officer (VSO), either at your State Dept of Veterans Services, your local VFW or Diasbled American Vets (I used DAV for help with my benefits packages) to help you navigate the system.

be forewarned: it is a government system, very bureaucratic/comvoluted. It will take you get results, so hang in there. Every VA medical Center has a Patient advocate. If you get bogged down, call the Central number and ask to be routed to the Patient advocate for help.
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Reply to LADeGo
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How to Get Help from the VA
The best way to get help from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) depends on your specific need (healthcare, benefits, housing, etc.), but here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

🔹 1. Contact a VA Accredited Representative
A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is often the best first step. These trained advocates help with:
- Filing claims for VA benefits
- Appealing denials
- Navigating healthcare enrollment
- Connecting with local resources

Where to find a VSO:
- https://www.va.gov/vso/
- County Veterans Service Offices (often found through your county website)
- Veterans organizations like:
 - DAV (Disabled American Veterans)
 - VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
 - American Legion
 - AMVETS

🔹 2. Use the VA’s Main Phone Line
Call 1-800-827-1000
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–9:00 PM ET
They can help with:
- Claims and benefits questions
- Directing you to the right VA program or office

🔹 3. Enroll in VA Healthcare
If you’re looking for medical care, apply for VA health benefits:
- Online: https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply
- Phone: 1-877-222-8387
- In person: At your nearest VA medical center

🔹 4. Visit a VA Regional Office
In-person help is available at regional VA offices. You can:
- File benefits claims
- Get help with disability compensation or pensions
- Schedule appointments with counselors

Find your nearest location: https://www.va.gov/find-locations

🔹 5. Use VA.gov Online Tools
VA’s website lets you:
- Apply for benefits
- Track your claims
- Refill prescriptions
- Send secure messages to doctors
Visit: https://www.va.gov

🔹 6. Ask for Help Through Community Partners
Many nonprofits assist veterans at no cost. Some trusted examples:
- Veterans Crisis Line: 988, then press 1
- Code of Support: Navigation and case coordination
- National Veterans Foundation: 1-888-777-4443
- Local Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)
No one should have to navigate the VA alone—help is out there, and you deserve the support you've earned.
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Reply to HaveYourBack
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TouchMatters Jun 2, 2025
WOW. Thanks so much for all this.
I will print out and also keep in my 'referrals' directory online.
So helpful. What a group we are. Gena
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There are a lot of very valuable VA benefits outside of "funds" that are available. Most VA benefits involving "funds" are received as a result of filing a claim and as others have said, the best way to start is working with a Veteran Affairs Office and I think there is one in every county in the US... at least in every state.

Here are many of the benefits outside of "funds" that we have received at no charge thus saving us a lot over the years. None of these were income based but may be based on his rating.

Incontinent Supplies: Briefs, Wipes, Gloves, Bed Pads, Creams
Durable Medical Supplies: Wheelchair, Walkers, Bedside Commode, Shower Chair, Handheld Shower Nozzle, Toilet Safety Bars
Nutrition Supplies: Ensure
Caregivers/Home Help - https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/pages/Homemaker_and_Home_Health_Aide_Care.asp
Eyeglasses, Hearing Aids

If not already, he has to be enrolled in the VA Health Care System. Once enrolled they can assign him to a Primary Care Provider. The Primary Care Provider can either prescribe what he needs or refer you to the department to evaluate and provide what he needs. He will also be provided a social worker and you should start asking about the Caregiver Program https://www.caregiver.va.gov/ I have a social worker of my own to deal with caregiver issues.

More than anything, you have to be a strong advocate for your LO, asking everyone you meet about things you read or hear about. I have heard sometimes you can learn more in the waiting rooms by talking with other caregivers. Any one provider does not (and can't possibly) know all that is available. Most of what we have gotten, I have learned about from other caregivers in our Parkinson's Support Group then asked his Primary Care Provider and/or social worker.

One thing I have found is that several benefits I have read even on the VA website is not provided at every VA location. I may depend on their local budget or decision makers. I started years ago trying to get respite care and while that wasn't provided by our VA, I learned about several of the things on the list above. Only in the last several years have I begun receiving home help as well as respite hours.
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Reply to KPWCSC
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Pat4231: Go to VA.gov.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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Little confusing question? His VA pension should not affect his VA disability, although the make-up of the two may break down differently. My husband's VA Pension was reduced when he became eligible for VA disability, but that reduction was added to the disability amount, so basically he's collecting "all" of both.
Don't deal with the VA big facilities...your case will get lost in the shuffle. Find a local VA Assistance office in the county in which you live and let them handle it.
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Reply to Jannycare
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