My stepfather is a Korean War veteran (now deceased). My mother is in an AL facility for dementia. How long is the application process?

Have you followed this guide?
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/applying-for-veterans-benefits-181517.htm

If rejected might she be eligible for medicaid?

I am not clear what you are applying for? If you are applying for veteran spouse benefits, the VA system can best inform you. I encourage you to go in person to a local VA office or facility to pursue the issue. If you cannot go in person, call and call again .

Hi Oclepsmom1 - I’m a vet and clinical. I’ve done now almost 4,000 Aid & Attendance applications for my patients, along with being a member of the American Legion. There are layers on layers of caviats. If a “fully developed claim” is filed, the average timeframes right now are around 2-3 months, as the VA has been a bit behind. Here’s the problem - if whomever filed the claim originally screwed something up, your claim gets taken out of the “fully developed” claim status and put in the regular claim cycle, which could take several months longer. I’ve had to go fix many messes, including those that were actually done by VSOs. I’m happy to answer any questions you have and give some real guidance. I feel bad when I see these situations happen needlessly. Feel free if you’d like - happy to assist any way I can.

I had tons of delays… my VA intake person didn’t think my mom would qualify , let the application sit on her desk… I gave her more than enough chances.. when she was not able to drop something in the mail to me, that she was supposed to do.. I went over her head..

good news benefits are retroactive

I am currently going thru the same application process for my mother (dad was also a Korean War vet). I heard from multiple folks if you don't have a specialized attorney do it, the process can take a year or so because you won't know all the little nuances they need to get the application through. We paid $1100 to Patriot Angels and they are handing it all and giving us clear instruction on what to do so it may be worth it if u think the care u might pay out over a year is going to be more than $1100. I'm still in progress because there's some forms her doc needs to sign but we are told once it's in we should expect 60 day turnaround and retroactive pay from the date her application was submitted. Might be worth it to contact them.

UPDATE: I was notified by the VA caseworker last week that my mothers application was approved and benefits are to begin March 1, 2023. Assuming this is correct, it will have been a total of 9 months from the date of application. Retro monies are to be paid since the date of application once the fiduciary paperwork is completed. I am cautiously optimistic on this.

For anyone that has done the fiduciary process, am I able to reimburse myself once that money comes? My mother no longer has the funds to cover her expenses and my husband and I will have to make up the difference until these monies are available.

Just wondering if you have heard anything?
If you need to look on the bright side any benefits that are due will be retroactive from the date the paperwork was filed.

The local vet svcs guy says 6mo. I started last March. VA sent back as some boxes weren't checked. I should have thought the local guy would have checked all paperwork as he assured me he was there to help. Then got denied bcuz her resources too high which local guy says VA didn't subtract expenses. Reapplied. Was in decision phase with no info needed from June to Dec. Then they wanted updated expenses since so much time had elapsed. Next they wanted updated income/resources form. Mom is 90 on hospice. Her info doesn't change except resources dwindling and it's a miracle she is still here. They are supposed to automatically expedite anyone over 87 or hospice. When she runs out of money and goes on Medicaid, the VA benefit will go to $400. Before that should be like $1200. I figure they are just hoping she'll die or go on Medicaid so they don't have to pay. I feel sorry for our vets having to deal with this agency.

What a nightmare with this VA business! That's government who will find so many excuses to not pay! No one should toss your mother out of her care shelter. I get mad when government treats people like third world citizens. Do not use your funds to pay for your mother's care. Should have applied much earlier for Medicaid financial help, but do apply for it while "waiting for that VA". And, go to the VA's referred website shared by one of our readers and good luck!

Your best bet is to contact a Veteran Affairs Office to see what is going on with the claim. Also writing to the VA would help too.

Contact here: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-department-of-veterans-affairs. I had to do this before too to get what I needed for my service connected disability. Not the same but it got me answers faster.

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