Death Pension

[tomb]

Veteran served in Navy for twenty years, some of which during wartime. He passes away, non service connected. His widow receives Navy pension and social security. She is now residing in a nursing home.

It is my understanding that she may now be entitled to a death pension from the veteran's administration. Her income may be reduced by unreimbursed medical expenses in order to qualify. It is also my understanding that there is an asset test for qualification.

My first question is whether money received from a long term care policy is considered a reimbursement of a medical expense.

It is my understanding that if she has over eighty thousand in assets (not including home) she may not receive the aid and attendance increased benefit for the basic death pension. My second question is whether she may qualify herself by transferring assets.

This is my first post . Thank you in advance for any help you might be able to provide.

[Guest rickb54]

Tomb,

Since her husband was not service connected she is not entitled to veteran's dependant compensation. However since she is drawing survivor benefits from the Navy she would not be entiltled to veterans benefits survivor benefits anyway, because she can only draw one survivor benefit.

She is entitled to a grave stone for husbands grave and a presidential memorial certificate honoring her husbands service.

Can't answer the other questions

[Pete53]

Very poor widows of Vets who served during wartime periods may be eligible for some benefits to help especially if they are in a nursing home and all their income is going to the nursibg home for medical reasons she may be entitled to some VA benefits. I would suggest discussing it with a Socail Wporker at the VA. Many of the Service Officers don't deal with this issue.

I know that my old DAV found money for many wodows in Dallas overlooked by their families and others. I apologize if I am wrong but my suggestion is to look deeper.

Welcome to Hadit.

[Guest rickb54]

Pete,

you make a good sugestion, I should not have been so short sighted.

Here is the link for the surviving spouse VA web page, it contains the list of necessary forms and any benefits available.

Hope it helps....

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/dependents/spouse.htm

[Berta]

I read somewhere that there are potentially thousands of widows who might be eligible for DIC or at least for NSC death pension but they don't know this yet.

I have found that many vet reps do not understand widow's benefits at all.

The criteria for the widow's pension depends on wartime service (just wartime not necessarily in war zone)of the veteran and having a very low income.I don't know any widow who qualifies for the pension.

Most I know of either work or get SSA benefits that completely knock out the pension.

But I bet there are widows and maybe even widowers out there who could qualify for the pension but don't apply.