Question:

Hi Jim, I've been trying to find my dad some sort of financial help through the VA, he served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam and was honorably discharged after 11 years. Right now he's on fixed income with SS, but cannot pay his medical bills, therefore he's stopped going to the doctor. I've found U.S. Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension but from what I was told that pays someone else to go in and clean, or do home healthcare. He doesnt see the money so it dosen't actually help him financially so he can afford to see his cardiologist or PCP. Is there any program I can sign him up to that would help him financially so he can live more comfortably knowing he can afford a roof over his head AND be able to see his doctor's? And is the Attendance Pension only to be used for homecare services? Or can he use it as he sees fit? Thank you for your time

Jim's Reply:

VA doesn't provide "financial help" as such. There are many other benefits for those who are eligible and make the proper application for them. But if he's having trouble paying medical expenses, why isn't he going to a VA doctor? The VA will provide him with health care either free or at a steeply discounted price. I'm really not aware of any programs that help a veteran clean house or do home healthcare unless the veteran is so severely disabled as to be helpless. You don't say that's the situation, only that some more money would be nice to have.

The Aid & Attendance benefit is notoriously hard to achieve and again, you haven't sold me that he's eligible so I'm not sure what you could tell VA.

If doctor bills are a concern, he should get his care through the VA. If possible, he should speak with a CVSO to determine whether he has any disabling conditions that might be service connected and he should probably do all this as soon as he can.