Question:
Hi Jim! We are putting my Mom in assisted living soon. My question is...We will be applying for Community Medicaid to help with paying for assisted living. My father was in the Korean War and I was told my mom can receive benefits also. A social worker I just met told me to apply for VA benefits first. She said you really shouldn't get both VA spousal benefits and Community Medicaid at the same time. Other people have been telling me that she can collect both. Would you happen to know if she can collect at the same time and/or if i should apply for VA first then wait to apply for Medicaid. I'm so confused! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Jim's Reply:
Many of the benefits you'll find are means tested. In other words, the agency will look at total income and offset any benefit that is over a specific amount. Let's say that there is a potential $1000.00 per month VA award and the beneficiary already has a $600.00 per month income. In that case VA would only pay $400.00. I agree...apply for the VA benefit first, anything else comes next.