VA Aid and Attendance Benefits

[ronin]

Looking into applying for Aid and Attendance benefits to help my mother as she was just moved to an assisted-living facility. Has anyone tried to apply for this on their own? I have got some info from an eldercare specialist and was referred to a law practice specializing in vet benefits assistance. Do we need a lawyer or can this be accomplished on our own? Seems she'll have to qualify for and receive death benefits first (now that she's paying for assisted living she should have next to no income and she doesn't have any significant assets so I think she'll qualify now) and then the Aid and Attendance is a supplement to that assuming she qualifies (from what I can see, she will). I don't know how difficult all this will be. Any experiences to share?

[FinallyRetired]

There was a long thread on this about four months ago, you might want to do a search. Bottom line, it's good if you can get it, but be prepared for reams of paperwork and infinite patience.

[Nords]

http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...18&postcount=3
http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...22&postcount=4

Spouse's Navy Reserve magazine recently ran the attached summary article. Never heard of A&A before.

[ronin]

Thanks for the links, Nords. I was unable to find the posts from my search. I have received a fair amount of assistance from the VA online and actually filled out the form 21-534 with my mother today. The supporting documents are clearly spelled out in the instructions and we have them all. I really don't see how there is much need for a "specialist" to assist us. I do have some references that will help that don't charge. I also read somewhere in the midst of all this that these specialists have to be certified by the VA and cannot charge unless you want to challenge the decision. The benefit is retroactive to the day that the VA receives the application, so I'm hoping that they will take care of us fairly and no further action will be necessary. My father fought through France into Germany at the bitter end of the war in Europe as an 18 year old, obtaining the rank of staff sergeant in combat, and then was sent to the South Pacific and finished up in Japan after the surrender. Good for my mom if she gets this assistance. She certainly qualifies.