Dad (veteran) alive, Mom in ALF - Basic pension?

[jesuejuka]

My dad is a veteran and living in NYand is still married to my mother, who has dementia and is in an assisted living facility in Florida since October 1.  From the paragraph below, it appears that he can file for a Basic Pension for her medical expenses and assisted living costs.  WHen completing all of the paperwork for the VA benefits, I am confused  about who is considered "claimant".  I believe my dad (the veteran) is considered the claimant, but the physician statement and assisted living care statement appears to need information concerning my mother (who is in the Assisted Living Facility). Are all the medical expenses pertaining to ONLY my mother, or my dad's also? (example per month: MOMS expenses: Medicare cost ($96) , ALF ($4,000), Meds ($300), Incontinence supplies ($50)  
DADS expenses : Medicare ($96) Meds ($200)   etc Do these all get included or just MOMS medical expneses?  

"The veteran has to qualify in order for the spouse to be eligible, so no you cannot file based on her need,   However, a vet with an ill spouse can file for “Basic” Pension if all of her medical costs wipe out their monthly income.  The application process is the same as if the veteran were filing for Aid & Attendance.  The current rate of Basic Pension is $1,290.00. Last update: 2009-07-08 i]

[Fit2009]

Your dad is the claimant - he is claiming high family medical expenses - so you include his and hers - what the quote you have is referring to is that it is not Basic Pension for a veteran needing Aid and Attendance - it is Basic Pension which is for a veteran who is not housebound or in need of attendance but for whatever reason has high unreimbursed medical expenses - if he is successful, and entitled to the full award, it will be $1,290 per month.

Good Luck!

[jesuejuka]

That makes sense - thank you. One more question though! If for Basic Pension only, would we still need to submit a Medical Statement from Physician and Assisted Living Statement of Care? That is where I am confused - because the Medical Statement asks about the "claimant" .

I had been in touch with a law firm that someone recommended that would complete all paperwork for $950, but after reading these message boards, I became convinced we could do it ourselves!! 

Thanks for any info, it is very appreciated!

[jesuejuka]

I think I understand now - just had to review all of the instructions again!  He is filing for Basic Pension, so no need to complete physician form... correct?  I think we must still attach completed Assisted Living statement of care though ?  It shows cost of ALF per month.

Also, since he is not filing for compensation, do we stilll need to include Part C in the application, even though it is entirely blank? We want to make sure we cross our t's and dot our i's!!

Thanks!

[Fit2009]

Include a physician's eval on his wife, include all pages, even if n/a

[kayellen]

Don't overthink the situation is the best advice for you.

Your father is the claimant and his dependent is your mother and therefore he has high unreimbursed medical expenses for your mothers care.  Just be sure you keep your fathers hat squarely on your head before filling out the papers.

Evidently, if you are having to examine and complete paperwork, your father is also somewhat handicapped.  He can be of sound mind, but just aged and in need of Aid & Assistance and that works.