How can I get an estimate of mom's veterans benefits?
I have a mother living in GA in an assisted living facility with a federal annuinty of $1,680.00 who uses Medicare, Medicad, and Federal Medical Insurance. She has to move to San Francisco, CA near me. Her deceased husband,(my Dad) was a Vet (1945 to 1947) with an honorable discharge. I have all the papers. My question is can you tell me a ballpark figure of what money she might be eligible for? Also, any idea how long the paperwork takes? We need finalcial help, any suggestions?
Expert Answer
From your question, it appears that Mom could be eligible for the the VA Disability Pension, commonly referred to as the VA Benefit for Aid & Attendance, since Dad's service to our country meets the military requirement. The amount of the benefit, which is subject to income and asset testing and Mom's monthly out of pocket medical expenses, such as assisted living, could be up to $1056.00 per month. The time it takes from submission to decision is based on many factors the most important being providing the correct documentation with the initial claim.
The best place to start is to contact an accredited VA service representative that offers free assistance with estimating VA Benefits in addition to answering questions about who qualifies and the documentation needed.
A free pre-qualification analysis is considered the best way to start the process as well as avoid any conflicts with Medicaid.