The VA said that, due to them having the 401k’s and property, he doesn’t qualify. I don’t understand this. Can someone give me some ideas of where to maybe go?
You are allowed pretty much with A&A, much more than u would be allowed with Medicaid when it comes to assets. This Aunt and Uncle must be over that limit for the VA. If they have property other then the home they live in Medicaid will require it to be sold.
I think it's critical for you to understand that the VA has to set limits on assets. Someone who has more financial and property assets than someone who's itinerant doesn't need VA help.
There are scales for asset determination as it affects VA qualifications. Did your aunt ask any of the VA personnel with whom or to whom she provided the data what the scale levels were? I.e., at what level would his assets disqualify him?
If you really want more detail, I would suggest that your aunt and/or uncle or both contact one of the county, state, or even the local VA offices to get more information so that your uncle can understand how his assets affect his qualification.
What's not to understand? VA benefits (Aid & Attendance) are for those without assets enough to cover their own costs for care! Your aunt & uncle obviously have enough money TO cover their own care costs, via CDs, property & 401Ks. Once THOSE assets are used to cover their care & depleted, THEN they can apply for the VA to help them!
Yes, the VA has an income limit. If ur Uncle has property other than his home, then it needs to be sold for Uncles care. Aid and Attendance is for those Vets that their income is not enough to help pay for care they need.
What your Aunt needs to do is see a elder lawyer to help protect what is hers. Maybe then Uncle can apply with just his income. A question to ask VA is if Aunts 401k and SS can be counted. IMO that is her money she earned working.
Each case is different in regards to limits and a VA service organization (DAV etc.) usually can offer insight and assistance with application. I only can speak from our experience, we aren’t eligible yet due to a three year look back. We opened a trust two years ago that can help next year. The income of a spouse is considered part of household income. If they are spending a lot on various medical expenses, that can lower their income to show need. What I hate, someone in a facility can count the whole fee as an expense. We can count very little even though I basically am doing everything a facility does. He gets 24/7 care (had to give up potential earnings), he gets room and board… all utilities, nutrition, hands on care for ADLs etc. We could pay a friend or relative to help and it is an expense! I’m basically a 24/7 caregiver he can’t pay but all of my assets (very little) can keep us off Aid and Attendance! It literally takes an act of Congress to change laws before anything can improve.
With Medicaid, consideration is given to the "Community", i.e., non-institutionalized, spouse so that Aunt does not become impoverished.
There are scales for asset determination as it affects VA qualifications. Did your aunt ask any of the VA personnel with whom or to whom she provided the data what the scale levels were? I.e., at what level would his assets disqualify him?
If you really want more detail, I would suggest that your aunt and/or uncle or both contact one of the county, state, or even the local VA offices to get more information so that your uncle can understand how his assets affect his qualification.
What your Aunt needs to do is see a elder lawyer to help protect what is hers. Maybe then Uncle can apply with just his income. A question to ask VA is if Aunts 401k and SS can be counted. IMO that is her money she earned working.