Veteran’s children are paying for caregiver costs, are these VA Unreimbursed Medical Expenses?

 No, medical expenses paid prior to the date of application (intent letter) will be considered as UME.  Additionally, only UME paid by the claimant is declarable. Therefore, the children’s payments are not allowed as UME set off.   

Also, a regular payment by a family member towards care or living expenses of a claimant is “family maintenance,” not a gift, nor income to the claimant. (This is in regard to VA, not IRS, taxes etc.)

Furthermore, an application for Veteran’s Benefits is projecting for upcoming year ( 12 months).  Consequently, any gift / income prior to the date of entitlement is non-countable.

To increase your monthly income, please contact us about a FREE HANDBOOK about VA Benefits, written by David Wingate, an accredited VA Attorney, of Senior Life Care Planning, LLC, go to info@seniorlcp.com or if you require additional information about VA Benefits, visit our Senior LCP's Website.

We also have a Blog on Elder Issues and Veteran's Benefits.

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