My elderly father currently lives in Washington on VA support (he's a fully disabled Nam vet). I live in Oakland, and work as a freelance artist and journalist.

I knew a friend a year ago who took care of her elderly aunt and received a government stipend for it. She lived in Los Angeles, and I have since lost touch with her.

However, the family in Washington is about to break up, leaving my father there alone. I am thinking about asking him to move south to be near me, and would like to start figuring out exactly what program it was that my friend was on, since there may be extra expenses if/when my father becomes dependent.

Just playing it safe. Thought you fine ladies and gents might be able to enlighten me a little. Thanks in advance.

Welcome, eZoid!
This is the right board to look for assistance of many kinda in many states. You can search this board (or the entire site) by clicking "Find" from the menu above and typing in keywords, or doing an advanced search on just the one board.

Hope things work out well for you and yours.

Benefits vary greatly from state to state. What you need, I suspect, is to contact a local veterans' assistance organization and speak to a social worker. They're usually pretty well up on all the ins and outs of coordinating the various state and federal programs available.

VA in particular can be complex to navigate; you'll need help and unfortunately can't count on getting the best advice directly from the VA.

You are wise to investigate this thoroughly before you move dad from WA because some benefits from the state may have residency requirements.

Hi, and welcome,

I found this website (from a previous post)that may help you. Click and check it out:

http://www.veteranaid.org/

Welcome eZoid glad you found us you live near my area so Im gonna pass on this organization to you this woman knows her stuff!
Helping Hands Senior Resources
Address: 750 Mason Street Suite 203, Vacaville, CA 95688
Phone: (707) 451-8724
Fax: (707) 471-4039
Email: hhseniorresource@aol.com