Anyone familiar with veterans benefits for surviving spouses? Is mom elgible for up to $1000 a month for care?

cordeliabrainiac

Do you know if your dad signed up for SBP (survivor benefit plan)? Call casualty affairs at the nearest base to you. If its not the same branch that you dad was in, no worries, they will find you a phone number.

ArmyChemo

Without knowing your dad's veteran status (i.e. retired, wounded, disabled..etc..etc) no one her can give you a logical, meaningful answer...and NO ONE besides the VA can pay her the money if she is do any so why asks here?

Hint: if you want to know about VA benefits, take your documentation (dad's DD-214 and medical documents) to your local VFW or American legion or AmVets and they have a service officer which can explain any benefits and assist you and her in applying for them.

If all else fails contact your local Congressmen and file an inquiry; this may help speed things up a bit.

Yggdrasil

Go to www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000. BTW, the longest I have ever been on hold there is about 90 seconds.

Better still, make an appointment to talk to the County VA Rep. (every county in the US has one...look it up under the County Phone Listings) and the American Legion ombudsman.

EDIT: BTW, it "only" took 27 years for me to be awarded my Disability Status...and it took the statements of several Field Grade (Company Grade) MDs to get it...finally.

john w

I would need to know more about your Dad's service , but if he was service connected , your Mom is most likely due some benefits. Try going to www.silverrose.org. and A O Awarness-and-Info@yahoogroups.com , there is a new group for widows of Veterans also. you can get there from the Ao group. Any of these groups can give you your answers. Or email me at woolbertscountry@yahoo.com. I will see if I can give you your answers. Rev. Pam

mijuju711

When you're dealing with the VA, be prepared to spend time on hold. Keep in mind you're dealing with a government agency! Do the smart thing and hook into your local VA network as other answers suggest; try to get people who are in the loop already to advocate for your mom. Make sure you have all your dad's military information handy so you can answer all questions accurately when you're connected.
If you try to make all the phone calls yourself, you may be risking your sanity -- and don't blow off other programs which may be available through your state, county, or local seniors action committees -- do a little research into what else is available for her in her area, so if the military doesn't pan out as a support then you know where you can turn.

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