A huge change recently occurred in how things are now being processed by the VA. Now they no longer withhold monies on approved claims that require a Fiduciary be appointed. In the past, no money was being released until the Fiduciary process was completed. This left families with approved claims but no access to the much needed monthly income from the pension to help pay for care. This is singularly one of the best things the VA could have possibly done to truly assist veterans and their families. The Fiduciary process is still in place on those claims where the applicant has been declared incompetent to manage their own affairs. Due to the limited number of VA Field Agents, these appointments can take months to schedule, but this change in policy will make the wait a little easier to tolerate.
Below are some additional rules you may not know that can help you or your spouse more easily qualify for and/or continue receiving your veteran’s benefits.
The New Legislative Rule
Currently, if you can prove that you medically and financially should have received an award up to 12 months before you filed, the VA may (might, maybe, could) give you the award for the 12 prior months. The letters veterans receive on your benefits eligibility started changing a few months ago, so read all the correspondence relating to your approval application carefully. You would need a physician’s evaluation that states as of ABC month, the applicant needed XYZ help. If you do qualify for the additional back payments this is definitely worth exploring!
What happens if you are a veteran with a sick spouse?
This question comes up all the time in our practice. While the veteran has to qualify for a spouse to benefit (unless they are widowed), what many do not realize is that if the medical costs of the spouse depletes their combined monthly income, the veteran is entitled to file as a “veteran with a sick spouse” and would be eligible for $1290 a month. That extra cash could be just enough to fill the gap and keep you afloat. This is a common gap that many couples do not even know they could qualify for.
Providing Care at Home
Let’s say you are the veteran (or surviving spouse) and you are being cared for in a home by a family member or other non-licensed healthcare individual, you are required to call the primary doctor or nurse and give monthly updates as to how the veteran or widow is doing. This is really just you checking in but it is a crucial step for deducting the caregiver’s cost. Again this is if the care is being provided by a non-licensed healthcare individual. Many people are unaware of this requirement, and if you have not done this in the past, you need to start doing this to ensure there are no issues when the yearly EVR (Eligibility Verification Report) comes due.
Contact our Veterans Benefits Specialist Sean McGuire today to learn more about getting all the VA benefits you are owed. Call (562) 920-6100 to find out more today.
