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If so, or if you have applied, I would love more information on your expereince with it, as I've only recently become aware that this could help pay for a caregiver.
Thanks!

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Vic no he wasn't receiving any military pay at that point so I do not know how it would or would not affect it.
Mariesmom yes it in an in person interview. Our representative came to us. The recipient has to be there since they are evaluating them. I also needed to be there since Dad wanted to appoint me as the fiduciary of the funds. If they are designated as needing a fiduciary, they cannot handle the money themselves, they must either appoint a fiduciary, who the VA then must approve, or the VA appoints a fiduciary of their own choosing.
I submitted our paper work in June. They sent some paperwork back with questions which I then answered and sent back. He was approved in October and we started receving payments in November.
We had the interview I believe in January. By March I was approved and then I set up the separate account and they direct deposited the back pay, June, July, August, September and October, the following month into this account. Once this account was set up all monthly payments have subsequently gone into this account.
Since I am the fiduciary and Dad has been deemed not able to handle his own accounts he is not allowed to decide how and where the money is spent. The VA can come back and look at the account at any time so keeping track of how and where the money is spent is crucial. Any large expenditures have to be approved by the VA. Since he and Mom live in an ALF I use the money solely to pay for their monthly rent. Of course it does not cover all of it but it is a huge help.
You can use the money to pay for items the veteran or spouse needs like prescriptions, diapers, insurance. I did not want to order checks, why pay for them if you don't need them, so this way I can schedule the payments to come directly from the bank.
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what benefits for world war 2 vets
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Here is an article that gives basic information: https://www.agingcare.com/Veterans-Assistance

I just completed Mom's application through a company that does it for her ALF with no charge to her. The paperwork is daunting but managable. The one thing I liked about working with these people is that they had a checklist of items that needed to be completed by a certain time and in a certain order. You can actually start now by collecting personal information: marriage certificates, death certificates, discharge papers, veteran's SS#, assets, documentation of all income, recent bank statement, documentation of all unreimbursed medical expenses, etc. They will ask for medical records for the last 12 months which you can request now because it takes doctor's offices forever to get them to you (make a copy for yourself, too.) You will also need any hospital,ER, or rehab records.
The most important thing, however, is the doctor's evaluation. The company I dealt with suggested that I write a letter to Mom's doctor outlining my observations about her day-to-day challenges because they do not see their patients on a regular basis. The rep at this company told me that the number one reason applications are sent back is because of incomplete info on the doc's evaluation. The VA seems to focus on things that effect the activities of daily life such as the ability to do personal care, feeding, dressing, and all mobility issues. Make sure to address any assistance the applicant needs to do anything (ie: walkers, canes, lift chairs, bathroom aids, hospital beds, incontinence products, etc.)
If you decide to use a company (which I highly recommend) get a referral from an ALF or NH in your area. They will charge a fee to process the paperwork, but they should not be marketing their other services to you such as investments. Like anything else you have to do your homework. The main thing I liked about working with them is that they do this on a regular basis and know what the VA is looking for in completing the application.
good luck
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We applied last year for my father in law. While it was time consuming it was relatively easy to do. Once approved we started receiving the payments directly into their account. After we went through the interview process, you have to interview after approval since they back pay to the submission date, these had to be switched to a different account as you cannot mix these funds with any personal funds.
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Charmin, Was your FIL receiving military retired pay? If so, how did it affect, and did you appt for comensation or pension?
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Was it an in-person interview?
Did the recipient have to attend? I ask because Mom is severly demented, and I only take her out and about when absolutely necessary.
How long after application did benefits start? I am wondering, with the state of Moms health and age, ifs going to be worth the effort.
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We applied for Mom (spouse) of a veteran last August. We heard back initially in September and periodically up until March of this year. So far they have not approved her application. They have not told us what, if anything, they still need. She was initially going to live in an assisted living facility, but now she is residing in a nursing home. My Mom also has dementia and needs daily assistance in order to survive. I have not heard about an in-person interview. At this time Mom is only getting her social security and a small pension. We are hoping some financial help is forthcoming. We have also applied for Medicade and receiving VA monies could affect her eligibility for Medicade.
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charmin6 jrw thanks so much for the info!
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Thank you lilliput for all the info.
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