VA assisted living program

[Croney]

My mother (97) and her husband (86) are both veterans. They live in their own house and he takes care of her, but both are in fragile health.

He just called me and said mom got a card from the VA in the mail on Monday and he called the number and a man came out yesterday and signed them up.

They will get money every month to hire household help, but since they both qualify, they will also get a check for the services he performs for my mother. He said the man told him the program has been around since the 60's.

I am shocked. We could have been benefitting from this for years? My siblings and I have researched nursing homes and debated different scenarios at every meeting. Keeping the old folks in their own home as long as possible is best.

It just sounds too good to be true. I hope people know about this and are using it.

[GP6971]

1. I haven't heard of this.

Are they both 100% disabled?

[Croney]

2. I don't know if they have been designated disabled,

but they are, so probably. She uses a walker and has a bad heart. He still drives and does all the cooking, cleaning, etc. but hobbles slowly and is a three-time cancer survivor.


Maybe this is it, scroll down to "aid and attendance" --

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veteran%27s_pension_(United_States)

[drray23]

3. It might be perfectly legit but I think you probably should look into it

Respectfully so you do not offend them, but it might be good to check. There are so many scams out there.

[Iris]

4. This is a real benefit. I'm not sure why it's not more widely known

Here's the application and the Veterans Legal aid would be a good place go start to verify that this situation is ok - https://veteranslegalaid.org/request-for-assistance/

[Croney]

6. Thank you, I will learn more about this.

[Croney]

5. I agree. I will find out more.

[3Hotdogs]

8. My Mom got $1,200 a month until she was placed in a V.A. home. She lived in the home

for 2 years until she died at age 98.

[Croney]

9. I'm glad to hear this; thanks.

[Susan Calvin]

7. I did not know.

I am a veteran and a widow of a veteran. I am bookmarking this. Thank you so much.

[Croney]

10. You're welcome, and I hope it can be of use to you.

[3Hotdogs]

11. Depending on the facility, there can be waiting lists for beds. Vets get priority list.

Spouses of vets have a second list which does get drawn from, but at a slower rate - 2 or 3 to one.

Each county is supposed to have an office for veteran affairs. You can go there for information. Or the American Legion also offers eligibility information and assistance with processing applications.

I would ask about the waiting lists for your state's long term care facilities. Ask what happens if someone is registered for a bed but declines when the time comes? I'm sure there would be no penalty, but is the position reserved near the front of the line, placed to the back of the line or (least likely) not allowed to enter the list for a period of time?

The point is, at 97, there may be an emergency.

Finances: Given that they have already been awarded money, cost to enter the VA facility would be a percentage of their income, minus expenses. In my mother's case, I (meaning she) had to write a check for $1,400 per month. That was because she had rental income, SS, and pension income.

Still, it was better than trying to figure out where a $7,000 monthly assisted living fee was going to come from.

[Croney]

12. Thank you for that detailed information. They are not leaving their house at this time.

The money will go toward hiring household help. If my stepdad dies first, my mom would have to move somewhere, but given their health situations, that is not the expected turn of events. Of course, we never know.

[marie999]

13. My husband has been on Aid and Attendance for 10 years.

He gets an additional $750 a month in his disability deposit because I have to cook his food, clean his clothes, and help him get in and out of the bath tub. It does not matter who takes care of a disabled veteran, hired help or a spouse.

[Croney]

14. Thank you! That is good news.