Okay, we’ve heard it all, or we think we have. Yes, the VA and local VA offices want to help but they can be wrong? It happens to the best of us. There are some pretty nice VA representatives who sincerely want to help you but some are not as good as others, or as well trained and may even hurt more then help. This includes the eldercare providers who believe they know what is true, but may have also received bad advice. In the end, many are confused. We decided to list all of the erroneous statements we have heard from various healthcare agencies, assisted livings and yes VETERAN AFFAIRS offices and make them public for you to hear. Calling the 800 number can lead to more confusion at times, tears and a number of families who simply give up! Always get a second opinion. Use our list of certified veterans officers on our home page. We’ve all been wrong in our jobs. This is too important to walk away from.

The following is UNTRUE!

1. “In our state we don’t consider assisted living as a medical write off for benefits”.
2. “ There is no such thing a spousal support for a veteran still alive”
3. “We don’t except VA benefits here we are private pay home’ ( my favorite)
4. “ He makes too much money, owns a home and can’t apply “
5. “She is not bed bound and will be denied, she is not ill enough”
6. “ The benefit begins from the time you enter home care or assisted living or start home care” ( no, from the time you file with the VA actually)
7. “ The local VA can process a claim quicker for you”
8. “Going on Medicaid will not interfere with your benefit” ( yes it will and you should tell the VA right away if you are on Medicaid and receiving benefits)
9. “You cannot get funeral costs paid for if the applicant passes when they apply for benefits” ( funeral costs can be reimbursed to those who pass on the benefit with proper receipts and death certificate submitted)
10. “ My dad passed and now mom lives alone in the assisted living, I was told we don’t have to re-apply for her” ( yes you do, you need to do a 21-534 surviving spouse benefit application pronto!)