If my Mom applies for my deceased Dad's VA benefits, does the rest home get that pay too?

My mother in law was on Medicaid in order to get into an assisted living facility. Since she was only left with $25 a month we were also encouraged to apply for the VA benefit and told the home could not touch the money and they didn't for a period of time. Then we got hit with "we made a mistake and we do have to count that money." So she was back in the situation she was before she applied. It was a really long application process and the money basically ended up going to someone else. This was in Colorado. We ended up taking her out of the assisted care facility and bringing her here to live with us.

In PA she would be applying for MEDICAID (State Welfare program). I have not heard of MediCal? At any rate, if eligibility for a welfare program is met, the State will pay only the difference between the monthly cost of care and the patient's income. Therefore, the VA benefit would increase her income, thereby increasing her share of the monthly payment. The State will not TAKE her VA, but it will reduce what the State pays. Now, even though you would refuse to apply for benefits that you are aware your mom is eligible for, the State may require that you do so, thus reducing their payment. I hope this is helpful and I hope I have understood your question well enough. Good luck with your mom and her situation!

You need to contact your local VA office. My Mom is in rehab and we are waiting for the Medicaid to be approved so we can look at Assisted Living Facilities. VA told me the benefit is Aid and Attendance for surviving spouse. The Aid and Attendance benefit is "only" for assisted living facilities, not long term care. I will not be able to apply for that benefit until she is physically admitted and living in the Assisted Living Facility. My understanding how it all works, is that Medicaid will convert the Skilled Nursing Facility Medicaid to meet the Assisted Living Medicaid. The Medicaid portion of the Assisted Living Costs is only for the medical needs portion. VA, Aid and Attendance will also pay a portion, up to 1100.00 and the rest will be out of pocket.

The VA will pay $90 per month if on Medical/Medicaid. They won't pay the full benefit. If approved for the benefit before applying for aid, the benefit will drop to $90/mo. This is a Federal benefit and doesn't change from state to state. The person in the SNF can keep the $90 (plus $45/mo allowance) from what I've been told....at least in PA.

As for the Aid and Attendance benefit, you can qualify if in EITHER Assisted/Personal Care or Skilled Nursing, and even in home care. It will pay as long as you have qualifying expenses called Unreimbursed Medical Expenses (UME's). Medicaid/Medical is applied for when you are broke and have spend your money down...to certain limits. A qualified Medicaid advisor or attorney can help with this process. You may be able to protect a certain portion of assets to apply for Medicaid or the VA if a qualified advisor is used.

Some things to remember:
1. The Medicare benefit for Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is "up to 100 days per benefit period", as long as the patient meets criteria for medical necessity and making reasonable progress. It is not a guaranteed 100 days.
2. As Kevin said, the purpose of Medicaid (or MediCal, the California version of Medicaid) if for the SNF or personal care provider, etc. to be paid for unreimbursed expenses. They are not "taking the patient's money", per se. They are attempting to get reimbursed for their expenses. Depending on the level of services provided, with room, food, general care, nurses, doctors, medications and things like therapy and durable medical equipment, the cost of skilled nursing in a facility can be as much as $1,000 a day. So if they are being paid anything less than $15-20,000 a month, they are likely losing money. If you look at the numbers, few of these facilities make any money - they are barely keeping their heads above water. It is best if you apply for whatever aid she qualifies for and get the facility as much as you can, so the care will be better for her and everyone else.

I know I feel naked without a few dollars in my pocket. In my experience with my in-laws and my mother, a few dollars here or there made them feel better, but overall basic needs are taken care of while in the SNF and cash is not useful except for the hairdresser or barber. I prefer to leave a check for those services so I know for certain what is being paid.

Rule of thumb is, if the individual has applied for and accepting state assistance the state considers ALL INCOME, they then pay the balance to the NH with the exception of the amount she is allowed to keep in what they call a patient trust fund, in GA. that amount is $50. Also in GA. she would be allowed to have up to 2,000 in that fund.
I did apply for the VA and the NH gets it, gets his Civil Service Retirement and all of her Social Security. Reason I applied for it, my Dad was a 3 war vet, dedicated is life to service for this country and he would have wanted my Mom to get the funds to help take care of her no matter who was getting them. hope this helps you in some way. Keep up the good caregiving!!!

Massachusetts Medicaid (MASSHEALTH) requires that the applicant apply for VA Aid & Attendance benefits within 90 days of being approved for MASSHEALTH. Why? All income of the applicant is counted. However all of the income of a spouse who resides in the community (vs nursing home) is not countable. I recommend reading the Medicaid regulations in your State or consulting an elder law attorney in your State.

You will be lucky to even hear from the VA---we applied for my mother in law for Aid and Attendance 18 months ago. They have not replied back at all and my husband filled out two sets of forms. We did finally get approved for Medicaid for her and she is in a memory care unit in our state of North Carolina. She is totally without funds and has no assets of any kind. Be prepared to fill out lots of paperwork for both VA and Medicaid. I actually read a post on here not long ago that widows of wartime Vets are the last on the list for help---not very encouraging to say the least and in our case, proves to be true.

FYi- In North Carolina there is an agency that can expedite matters called Senior Veterans Council. It does a fabulous job ...

needhelpasap: Unfortunately, you are now on your own financially. Any aid or income that comes in has to go to her care at the Nursing Home. That means her house payments or utilities or insurance come from elsewhere. If children can't afford to cover them, turn them off.

It's all so confusing. We tried to get Mom into assisted living, apllied for the VA benefit for her. Since it takes some time to get the benefit approved, we were encouraged to apply for a bridge loan. That loan was denied, leaving us dead in the water. I DO NOT understand why there is no one out there to walk us through this process with the right answers!! We desperately need someone to tell us our options and how to go to the right agencies. I have heard we should not have her apply for Medicaid; we should apply for Medicaid. We should not apply for the bridge loan; yes, we should. My Mom lives in New York State and I live in PA. We are seriously considering bringing her here so I can take care of her. But I'm not sure if I have the ability to care for her properly. It's all so overwhelming and frustrating.

My only input is based on our personal situation. Mama just started receiving the Aid and Attendance benefit and she is at home, with me as her attending personal care giver 24/7. When she got hit hard by the Medicare Part B penalty, it substantially reduced her income and the other unreimbursed expenses, including an allowance for what I do for her all counts towards the determination as to what amount, if any, is due....also, there is a retro payment which can be made back to the date of the original application. We have been informed this is in the wings however have been waiting forever for that and still have not received it...It is a lengthy process, but I think worth it , especially if you are caring for a loved one at home..also, I did not require an attorney to receive this benefit. The local VA, (ours is at the county courthouse) can assist you..... good luck

I take care of my Mother in her home and applied for the VA benefit as she is a widow of a WW2 vet. This is how I understand it. You can use the benefit for assisted living or for the senior to stay in their own house with 24/7 care. I found the VA to be very unhelpful and just want to run you around until you give up or the person dies. I filled out the paperwork as I am a health care professional. It took about 3 weeks to get all the paperwork together and the note from the doctor. I sent them several request to expedite as my Mother is already 91. The last letter I sent I told them I was getting ready to talk to our congressman if something is not done. They sent me a ton of more forms to fill out. It is going on almost 3 years now and still no benefit.

I am in the same situation with my mother, needhelpasap. Much of the information already provided here is very helpful and I'm actually posting on this topic so I can be alerted to additional information. What a wonderful resource this site is, both from an educational AND encouragement perspective.....we truly can all relate to the various challenges and stressors that come with caregiving. Hugs to you as you continue to navigate these very difficult waters....

hadenough, your situation sounds so much like ours. Every time I called the VA, they would send more forms, then that would require several more weeks, then more forms. As I understand it though, if you have filed for the benefit, and they approve it, they still owe it to your Mom's estate. We finally got approved, but now are in the back and forth over the retro payment...And the initial person who assisted us at county agency told us incorrectly re the allowance you could count for what you are doing for your Mom. I was told we could only count a max of $400 a month...several of the VA personnel told me that was incorrect, that they will take into consideration what you would pay in your area if someone came to your home and you paid them...here it is $10/hour. I'm assuming that would be figured on a 40 hour work week, which of course you will never find someone who will be a caregiver 24/7 and pay them on a 40 hour week....so that is confusing...but nonetheless we did get the monthly benefit but I am still staying on them about the retro payment...It is so frustrating. I last called them the end of last week and was told they had in their file where I had called last month and I needed to give it at least 21 days for a response...that was 21 days ago at that time....I inquired about that and all I got was silence...it is a shame what they put folks through...but do stay on them...good luck to you....Lord knows i KNOW how aggravating the process is....

With my mom, A&A helped defray the cost of an AL when she was private pay. Once she was Medicaid, we notified the VA of the change and the A&A will drop to $90/month since she no longer needs that additional assistance to pay the facility bill. I agree that the personal needs allowance is not much money, especially when you're looking at haircuts, clothing, phone bills etc. I imagine most families supplement this with their own funds.

Can your mom not come home when she is done with rehab?

I have a friend who is having a VA specialist file all of the paperwork. I asked her if he worked for the VA or if he was a lawyer and she was very vague, but said that there was no out of money expense for him to help her with the paperwork. Perhaps it comes out of the VA settlement for the back funds. Check out and see of there is a specialist with the VA, then perhaps in the private sector.
I filed all of my mother's paperwork myself and it was a real bear to do it. The key is to call her "housebound". (which she obviously is) and that will expedite things. I had a very helpful VA employee help me through all of the hurdles, but I understand that most VA offices are not great help. Mother had applied 2 years previous and been turned down. "housebound" is the key to an easier "yes" on her benefits.

I Inquired in Mo. For my mother and was told first that she had to already be admitted to assisted living when applying. That accomplished with my financial help, I contacted the VA and was shocked to learn she couldn't get it because she remarried someone who wasn't a Veteran. Period! Even tho he has passed away too. So basically they are punishing her for finding someone to help her survive after her veteran husband died. Who knew of this benefit and this rule in 1988 when dad died and that unless she married a veteran she couldn't get the help other veteran wives were entitled to, so best stay single and destitute??
That's just wrong! The gov. Promises soldiers they will help their spouses when they die, but have enough "conditions" that few women actually get it.
My husband and I are paying a chunk of our retirement money for long term health care, prepaid funerals, medical insurance, so our kids won't be in our position some day.

I too, am amazed at how many stipulations they place on it...and how few people even know about it. The ONLY way I knew about it was when Mama first had her accident and I knew I was going to have to leave my job and move back to my hometown, I started checking around to see what assistance might be out there for her....Since my Dad was a WWII Vet, I googled VA Benefits and the trail led to the VA Aid and Attendance. I had to search and search for all the info as our area in particular seems void of much info and even those who are "here to assist" seem to have their own problem understanding how to fill out anything....But it finally got accomplished..but sad that once again it seems veterans and their spouses have to go through so much to get benefits that were earned through very difficult and dangerous times....

Be very careful everyone is trying to rip you

Sherryoneanne- no, my mom can't come home after rehab cause I had to move out due to physical abuse from my brother and mental abuse from her. I refuse to go back and put myself thru that. We are selling the home I grew up in just so I don't have to deal with my brother and ask him everytime I want to do an improvement or upgrade on the house. Currently I am looking at moving to Texas with my boyfriend so I won't even be in the state. I need the break from being so d*mn close to all of them.

Billyjoeraybob- Trust me I do know how all of the agencies are out there just to rip off people and also to try to get caretakers like myself into trouble. I've been dealing with IHSS and APS for yrs cause they were believing my abusive brothers false stories n not mine. Finally, now that the cops have seen his temper, everyone is on my side.

We originally sent in our application in November of 2013. I'm the daughter, and I was applying for the surviving spousal benefits for my mother I did it all on my own right down to printing out the application off of the internet. Mom had been living with me, and we were originally denied, but I sent in an appeal after my mother moved to assisted living in April. I received the award letter on July 8th, 2014. She received the maximum entitlement amount, and it says her effective date is November 25, 2013..and that she should receive her retroactive check within 15 days. This is so wonderful for mom, and will keep her in a private room a little longer. So..now on to your question. This would depend on the facility, the state you are in, how much/how long you will be private pay, etc. The money will go into your mom's account. This is how it was explained to me from the financial manager in the assisted living facility where my mother is. She is private pay for now, but if she outlives her money, we will be applying for Medicaid next year. Once she is out of money....let me put it like this...for instance....if the room mom was in was 5,000 per month...she is out of money..but gets social security, a pension...and VA aid and attendance. If social security payments are 1,000..the facility gets that...if the pension is 1,000..the facility gets that...if the VA benefits are 1,000...the facility gets that since we are still under the 5,000. I'm in Florida and what they have are Medicaid waivers that help to pick up the balance. Each person's circumstances will be different depending on the amount of income they receive.

Brendalynn ---I am delighted for you that the VA gave your Mom the benefits to which she is entitled. My husband applied back in January of 2013 and then contacted them in August of the same year as we had never received any word or even a confirmation . All the necessary paperwork was completed properly but she was swept under the rug. Now, just on Monday of this week, she died. She was 90 years old and never got a darn thing from them. You were very fortunate and we did manage to get Medicaid for her which was a huge blessing. The VA is the most sorry government office in this United States. That is my opinion based on what was never given to my mother in law. At least she is at peace now.

Princess7...I am so sorry for the passing of your Mom. If you have already filed for the benefits, it is my understanding that the benefits can still be paid to the estate of the deceased if the benefit was approved. That is what the information I read says and what I have been told. I do agree with you that the VA is a disgrace, especially at present, with the way they handle claims, and in particular, the time with which they take to make a determination and pay them. We do receive a very small monthy benefit for my Mama based on her being the surviving spouse of the veteran, but she is due for the retro payment and while they have been telling us for almost five months now it has been approved and ready to be deposited, they are just sitting on it...I call every week just to have it in the file that I have had to go through what we have to get this, but every week it is the same old song and dance, they are filing a note and I should hear something in a week to ten days..same thing every time I call and as you know, it takes forever just to get through the phone system..It is ridiculous...BUT,,,,if you filed and if she was approved (and even as far as I know if you filed, even if the determination had not yet been made) but it is approved, that retro payment is due to the estate STARTING FROM THE DATE YOU FILED THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK...I am 99.99% positive of this....

In California the assisted living will use that benefit to offset the cost of the AL. I too applied for my Mothers VA assistance about 2 years ago as I was her caregiver. The paperwork was long and involved and I just kept getting back requests for more information ect... Now that she is going into assisted living they can wrangle with the VA. If your Mother was a widow of a WW2 vet the benefit is there for her - you just have to jump thru many hoops. Now I am letting the AL do it.

hadenough...from the time you first applied for the benefit, once a determination is made for your Mom to receive it, then as her 24./7 caregiver up to the time you placed her in AL, then THAT part of the retro pay would be due to her and you...not the AL..because you were caring for her during that time...it might be worth the extra aggravation to keep on them...God knows it is aggravating ...I am still dealing with them on the retro pay after over four months of being told it's been approved, I've dealt with the IRS before and honestly have never seen a group of folks so seemingly unorganized as the VA...what a pity.. i'd just hate to see you and your Mom miss out on that retro pay...it would not be due the AL...but to you and her and especially you as her caregiver...

Thanks hope22 - yes the VA is the most horrible government agency to deal with. Such a pity as those veterans fought for our country. Also thanks for the info about the retro pay. You are right - that should go to my Mom and me as her caregiver. I will look into that....hugs.