I noticed in your post you mentioned the VA home. I have just applied for my husband and was wondering if you could share anything on the financial aspect? I understand there is a co pay, but now someone told me that the VA will take the estate upon his death??? Also do you have to apply for medicaid for this?? It has only been a week since the application was sent in so I haven't heard anything yet.
I have talked with the VA NH at great length "just in case" Lynn ever has to be placed. This is from the package they sent me:
This is for New Hampshire, just do a search for your state. For assets less than 30,000 they take the total of SS pay - deduct 100.00 for the veteran then you multiply the remainder by .90 and that is how much you pay a month The 10% difference if for things not covered, like hair cuts etc
If you have assets over 30,000 , it is self pay at a rate of $140.00 a day
Where you ARE paying for these services, they do not "take the estate" upon his death. You do not need Medicaid to have VA services, they are entitled to them for time served to our Country. The best thing for you to do would be to contact your local state Veterans Council, they have been fantastic with Lynn and I. Best of luck~ Nikki
Nikki appears to be the expert on VA homes so I will o nly relate my personal experience....when my husband was placed in our local V A dementia facility, I went over the various options we had financially with the financial officere in the facility. Since my husband and I had more than the assets they allowed, whih is very low by the way,I opted to pay the full amount monthly. It is now $1800 a month which covers all expenses. It does not cover dental, going to a foot doctor or hearing. Haircuts are covered. If he has to go to the hospital or to a doctor other t han the house doctor, medicare kicks in. I do not pay for his medi cation. We are very fortunate in that we have a new facility (4 yrs. old) which is state of the art for dementia patients. He has a private room with bath. Each win g has a dining room and kitchen. It is my understanding that each state has different criteria as the federal funds are under the state's discretion as to allocation. It is my understandi ng that in the recent past in our state, the length of time the veteran was in the service, wartime service, is factored in to their waiting list status. I feel very fortunate to have my husband in the VA home here in our city. He has very good care and the staff works well with our family. I would not be able to keep him in a private nursing home without losing all of our assets. I do hope you will be able to place your husband .
I don't know if this is true or not because I can't remember who told me. If your spouse is eligible for VA nursing home and there is no space available or no NH near where you live, they contract with other NHs and will place the Vet in one of those NH. Does anyone know if this is correct?
I was always hoping my DH would be eligible for VA nursing home. with the posts above, it seems only Active duty in wartime qualify? like carewife, i would be more than willing to pay out of pocket the 120/day even with no benefits attached -i pulled up the VA site once and after looking over the apps to apply DH has too much assets to qualify for any rx or other benefits and i lost interest even looking after that. maybe i am wrong, but he was in the Army for only a short time when first enlisted-then went to the army reserves, by special appointment to ranks of officer, captain, i have the doc hanging on the wall. i didnt think being in the reserves only and no active duty qualifies him for any VA benefit. if anyone has info it would be nice to know -divvi his othr 2 brothers both had VA benefits even honors at their funeral. it would be nice to have for DH too.
I am by far an expert, but I have done a ton of research. Of course not on all states, or all VNH, just the one where Lynn would be placed, obviously. As sunshyne posted , there are several threads here that have a wealth of knowledge posted in them about Veterans benefits. Just do a search. Divvi, I think it would be far better to talk with your local Veterans Council. I am not sure where you live, but just look in your phone book, or do a google search. they know the laws and regulations of not only ALL benefits, but certain criteria that may differ by state. I have met with them 5 times and they were absolutely wonderful to us! Best of luck, Nikki
Thank you all for your responses. I feel better now. I will let you know what happens. Hoping I hear something soon. It would be nice to know that there is an end in sight.
my DH is a retired officer and call 800-827-1000 this morning and Mr. Astacio was very helpful, regarding benefits that are out there for veterans. He was very patient with me and answered all my questions
Well I guess the VA's initial decision was to reject him based on age and diagnosis...he is only 58 and has Pick's disease..a form of FTD. However, a friend who works there stepped in and asked them to reconsider. A social worker and administrator came for a home visit this week. I think it went well but no decision. They have to bring the info back to a committee and will get back to me. I did find out one interesting thing. In this great state of Connecticut it is just like any other nh and we would have to apply for medicaid. I was trying to avoid that not because of assets we presently have but because of a property transfer that I made to my kids last year. So not sure if an acceptance at the nh would be a good thing afterall.
Both the VA counselor at our county courthouse in IN and the elderlaw attorney we are talking with said my hsbd is not eligible for VA benefits because he was not in the Army during time of war (or police action)--only from 1955-1958. Have to have served at least one (1) day during war/police action; and they have the specific dates. Eligibility had nothing to do with length of service or disease. Maybe if he'd been eligible because of date of service, other criteria would be considered for eligibility determination. Best thing: talk to VA (from the horses mouth, you know) and elderlaw attorney for getting all papers/plans complete.
I found out that my DH will have to go on a waiting list. First 100% disability, then 75% and so on. My DH has now a 10% disability after a long fight with the VA. He served twice in Vietnam. So he is qualified for VA nursing home, but on bottom of the barrel. They have so many from Iraq and Afghanistan that need care, and they are first in line with the other total disability veterans. I did get some help with respite. I also will get more at home help when I need it. I have to call the social worker that is assigned to our case and she will check with the VA doctor to make sure it is so ordered. I have fought for the 10% just to get him into the system and to see a VA doctor. This way I can at least get some help.
I think it is terrible that a veteran would not be eligible just because there was not a war when they served. They were ready to serve their country, they couldn't help we were not at war at the time. If at all people we should take care of are our servicmen & women. I am not coming from experience, my husband never was in the service.
There are different types of benefits for veterans and their spouses. I believe Jane L is referring to "Aid & Assistance". Some of the other benefits do not require service during time of war.