My mother is in the State of NJ nursing home. Originally, she was in a AL paying self pay with VA and SS. The PNA was $109 per month. She ran out of money so I got her on Medicaid. It took the state of NJ 8 months to get their paperwork together because of staff changes and backlog so in the end it was retro back 9 months. I informed the VA immediately providing them with State documents, medical info, nursing home forms, the VA support forms requested, etc. They responded that there was not change to amount of VA benefit. Knowing this was wrong I called, faxed and mailed the forms again. Another letter from the VA stated no change. I called today and they put in a report to another department to look into the situation. Hopefully it will be resolved. I don't want a situation where I pay the NH the VA money then the VA demands it back. Any feedback on situation?
My mother only gets $35.00 personal needs allowance being in a NJ nursing home. Why would she not get the $109.00 PNA?
Final question... If and when VA reduces to $90.00 and mom is straight Medicaid and SS does she get to keep the $90.00 for PNA? I know about keeping under $2K. Since they have not been doing $109 and have been doing $35. I am majorly confused.
If mom starred out with the 2k in nonexempt assets allowed by Medicaid, you might want to spend down to get it to 1k, just to make the math easier as well.
A&A is awarded to help defray the cost of care, which is being paid by the resident. But once the resident is on Medicaid, she is not self paying so there's no need for the VA to help with the cost. My mom gets the state level of PNA only.