VA benefits chart and VA information appendix 4

Revised date
Purpose statement

This section provides information on Veteran's benefits. VA Benefit chart, VA contact information and information regarding VA benefits.

Clarifying information

Veteran's Aid and Attendance ( A & A) and some Unusual Medical Expenses (UME) payments are considered excluded income for the purposes of SSI related Medical eligibility and Institutional Medical eligibility. This is described in WAC 182-512-0840. These payments act as reimbursement for services (usually long term care) received by eligible Veterans, and as such are a Third Party resource. VA A & A is counted in determining the total cost of care a client owes in post eligibility calculations for long term care services. (WAC references re Medicaid is payor of last resort and third party liability: WAC 182-503-0540, WAC 182-501-0100, WAC 182-501-0200, WAC 182-502-0100). Contact the Financial Eligibility Policy Unit at ALTSA headquarters.

For Veterans in medical institutions, see WAC 182-513-1380 - Determining a client's participation in the cost of care for long-term care services.

For Veterans on an HCS HCB Waiver program see WAC 182-515-1505.

WAC 182-513-1340 - Determining excluded income for long-term care services describes benefits designated for the veteran's dependent, unusual medical expenses, aid and attendance allowance and household allowance. There is an exception when a client is residing in a state veterans nursing home with no dependents. VA benefits listed in WAC 182-513-1340 are excluded when determining initial eligibility, but counted when determining the participation in the cost of care.

WAC 182-512-0840 SSI related medical-Work-and agency-related income exclusions describe that VA A & A, Housebound allowance, and UME are excluded income for SSI related medical. If a client goes off long-term care services and continues to receive these VA benefits, they would be excluded when doing a redetermination under non institutional SSI related medical.

Veteran's residing in a State Veterans nursing home are allowed a higher personal needs allowance. (LTC standards).

$90 VA improved pension amount

Veterans that receive the $90 VA improved pension amount are allowed to keep the $90 plus their regular PNA when residing in a medical institution or residential setting. These must be coded as VZ in ACES. Add text to the letter indicating the individual is allowed to keep the $90 VA plus their regular PNA.

For detailed information on the VA benefits chart, the types of VA benefits and how to correctly code VA income in ACES, see the link at the top of this page titled HCS Financial Training Packet on VA benefits.

Worker responsibilities-VA referral project (HCS applicants)

For long-term care applicants with HCS, an automated referral process is sent directly to the HCA Veterans project team from ALTSA

VA referral project benefits

  • Improved client service and access to VA benefit
  • Increased available income for ALTSA clients
  • Standardized and streamlined Veterans Benefit Referral process
  • Centralized documentation of Veterans Benefit Referrals and results

VA project process

  • HCA VA Project team compiles new recipients through Bar Code and transmits to Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) weekly
  • WDVA runs data through SHARE to determine clients potentially eligible for VA benefits
  • WDVA requests referrals for potentially eligible clients from the HCA VA Project team
  • HCA VA Project team sends Veterans Benefit Referrals for requested clients to WDVA
  • WDVA considers additional information and calls client or representative to make full assessment regarding eligibility for VA benefits. Some are ruled out.
  • If WDVA is unable to contact after 3 attempts in 3 weeks, returns 14-162a to Project Team as "unable to contact"
  • Contracted agency or WDVA visits client or representative to complete VA paperwork
  • Contracting agency or WDVA submits claim to VARO
  • WDVA sends 14-162a to Project Team to notify that VA claim has been filed
  • Project Team tracks claim application
  • Contracting agency notifies WDVA if client or representative is not cooperating
  • WDVA advises financial worker of noncooperation via DSHS 14-162a
  • Financial worker sends the client a letter with requirement to pursue possible VA benefits
  • Financial worker contacts HCA VA Project team for 2nd Veterans Benefit Referral after client or the client’s representative contacts and indicates intent to pursue benefits
  • Financial worker notifies HCA VA Project team if client is unable to pursue benefits and has no one to assist them
  • Financial worker receives VA claim determination results from either WDVA or PARIS
  • HCS financial worker will, in cases of noncooperation, advise clients of the requirements to do everything necessary to obtain income to which they are entitled.
  • Financial worker will notify HCA VA Project team if client is unable to pursue benefits and has no one to assist them
  • Veterans Affairs (VA) will adjudicate claims submitted in a customary timeframe
  • Follow instructions for those needing Necessary Supplemental Accommodation (NSA) and chapter 3 of the long-term care manual detailing NSA procedures for those receiving HCS services.

Links to information on veterans benefits

Veterans administration contacts in Washington State

Region 1

Contact information for all Region 1 counties

Address: American Legion
4815 North Assembly, Bldg 6A
Spokane, WA 99205-6197
Phone: 509-434-7750

Region 1 CSO and HCS codes by county
County CSO# HCS#
Stevens 33 78
Pend Oreille 26 78
Lincoln 22 57
Spokane 32, 58, 59, 60 57
Adams 01 81
Whitman 38 57

Region 2 North

Contact information for all Region 2 North counties

Address: Veterans of Foreign Wars
Medical/Dental Building #415
2722 Colby Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
Phone: 425-339-1973

Region 2 North CSO and HCS codes by county
County CSO# HCS#
Skagit 29 63
Island 15 63
Snohomish 52, 68, 65, 31 89, 90,91, 92

Region 2 South

Contact information for King County

Address: Veterans of Foreign Wars
Federal Bldg, VARO Room 1040
915 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98174
Phone: 206-220-6191

Region 2 South CSO and HCS codes by county
County CSO# HCS#
King 80, 40, 42, 74, 43, 55, 44, 46, 47, 45, 41 56

Region 3 North

Contact information for Kitsap County

Address: Department of Veterans Affairs
262 Burwell Street
Bremerton, WA 98337
Phone: 360-478-4565

Contact information for Pierce County

Address: American Legion
VA Medical Center Bldg 16, Room 111
American Lake
Tacoma, WA 98493
Phone: 253-583-1300

Region 3 North CSO and HCS codes by county
County CSO# HCS#
Kitsap 18 88
Pierce 49, 48, 67, 51 17, 66

Region 3 South

Contact information for Clallam and Jefferson counties

Address: Department of Veterans Affairs
262 Burwell Street
Bremerton, WA 98337
Phone: 360-478-4565

Contact information for Grays Harbor, Mason, Lewis, and Thurston counties

Address: Department of Veterans Affairs
1011 Plum St, Bldg 5, 2nd Floor
PO Box 41150
Olympia WA 98504-1150
Phone: 1-800-562-2308 (toll free)
Phone: 360-753-5586

Contact information for Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Clark counties

Address: American Legion
1603 E. 4th Plain Blvd, Room 123
Vancouver WA 98661
Phone: 360-690-0274

Region 3 South CSO and HCS codes by county
County CSO# HCS#

Clallam

Jefferson

05, 64

16

93

93

Grays Harbor

Mason

Lewis

Thurston

14, 61

23

21

34

94

96

95

96

Pacific

Wahkiakum

Cowlitz

Skamania

Clark

25, 71

35

08

30

53, 06

97

97

97

98

98

All regions, counties, and offices not listed

Send Veterans Referral forms (DSHS 14-162(X) and 14-162A(X) to:
WDVA - Alternate Care
MS 41150
PO Box 41150
Olympia, WA 98504-1150
Phone: 1-800-562-2308 (toll free)

Dates for wartime service

  • Mexican Border Period - May 9, 1916 through April 5, 1917 for veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders or in adjacent waters.
  • World War I - April 6, 1917 through November 11, 1918; for veterans who served in Russia, April 6, 1917 through April 1, 1920; extended through July 1, 1921, for veterans who had at least one day of service between April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918.
  • World War II - December 7, 1941 through December 31, 1946.
  • Korean Conflict - June 27, 1950 through January 31, 1955.
  • Vietnam Era - August 5, 1964 (February 28, 1961, for veterans who served "in country" before August 5, 1964) through May 7, 1975.
  • Gulf War - August 2, 1990 through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.
  • Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs service offices with DSHS CSO / HCS numbers and counties for each office's service delivery area.

HCA VA Benefit Enhancement Project Contacts

Tim Dahlin

Department of VA Affairs tables

Special Monthly Compensation

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