Financial Hardship

[desperatelyseekingsusan]

I am writing on behalf of my uncle. In the past year he lost everything. He is now on a very tiny SS income. He is in the process of claim for SC disability. Is form 5655 Financial Status Report the correct form for getting his prescription co-pays waived? Also, will this help for getting transportation costs reimbursed? To whom should he file this form? He is living day by day on the grace of friends.

Thank you.

[VetsLady]

I don't know the answer to your question but hopefully someone will.

There must be a way, especially in light of his financial situation.

[broncovet]

To get your co pays waived, you the Veteran will need to go to the VAMC where he needs to fill out the documents for a "means test". Ask at your VA where he fills out that form, at my VA they will help you with it. If he qualifies, they may be able to waive the copayments, depending upon income and disability rating.

The means test lasts a year and you have to do it again each year or they will put you back on the copays.

[broncovet]

The "financial hardship" applies to Vets who have sought benefits and want an "advance on the docket" due to financial hardship. It often involves pension claimants, and claimants over age 75.

[carlie]

I am writing on behalf of my uncle. In the past year he lost everything. He is now on a very tiny SS income. He is in the process of claim for SC disability. Is form 5655 Financial Status Report the correct form for getting his prescription co-pays waived? Also, will this help for getting transportation costs reimbursed? To whom should he file this form? He is living day by day on the grace of friends.

Thank you.

dss,

Your profile entered shows service connected (SC)at the 50 percent level.

Veterans with service connected disabilities of 50 percent or higher

have NO Co-Payments for any medical services or RX meds -

whether it's for a SC'd or non SC'd condition.

In other words - if he is really SC'd at 50 %, there should be no co-pays

to be waived through finance.

Also, for transportation - has anyone contacted a service organization,

perhaps DAV, regarding his need for transportation to the VAMC for medical services ?

[wisconsinwalter]

I am writing on behalf of my uncle. In the past year he lost everything. He is now on a very tiny SS income. He is in the process of claim for SC disability. Is form 5655 Financial Status Report the correct form for getting his prescription co-pays waived? Also, will this help for getting transportation costs reimbursed? To whom should he file this form? He is living day by day on the grace of friends.

Thank you.

This is my job at the VA, all answers given you are partially correct

Broncovet, hardships apply only to medical visits, you are correct about a mt. If the SS is less than $12256 and he is single, then a copay test is appropriate. $16xxx I forget the exact for spouse and each dependent, is the copay limit for married. If a sc vet, that income must be declared. Over 50% does not pay copays as it was said earlier. If you miss a year you become required to pay all medical and prescriptions as missing shows you decline to give income data. You can ask for a back date to last exemption if you have extenuating circumstances to miss mt date for 6 months only

If sc, everyone should call the HRC at the 866 # listed under your name on the statement and ask for a sc audit back to your combined or rating date

The 5655 has to be completely filled out and each expense must be clearly broken out. Lumping together expenses will earn a denial for reporting inconsistencies. A detailed 4138 listing and explaining your hardship should accompany the 5655 or it will be return denied as incomplete, we in the Ohio or VIsn 10 admin team will except a letter on a piece of paper

All income, including retirement, 401k, annuity, cash in bank and al assets except your home and contents must be listed. A new car will show ability to pay copayment. Paying credit cards and store cards also show ability to pay. If there are outside medical bills, they also should be add to copay or MT, and the out of pocket will reduce income but the VA has a right to be paid as well.

Waivers are not a right, so don't expect an automatic approval. More than one waiver, changes the the copay threshold for each vet.

IMPORTANT......waivers only cover 180 days from signature date. All other debt must be cleared on a RPP. Anything less than $50 or more than one year requires special terms and they can only be extended to 36 months

You are the recipient of my last post on this board because my post for help got over 120 views and one answer, you post and have several responses the same day

Edited January 6, 2013 by wisconsinwalter

[JT24usn]

http://www.va.gov/cbo/brochures.asp

There is hardship information at this site

Talk with the business office at vamc