CHICAGO (WLS)— The ABC7 I-Team assisted a local family in obtaining nearly $20,000 in spousal benefits from the Veterans Administration for a veteran’s widow who suffers from dementia.
Many veterans and their families are eligible for VA benefits, which cover housing, healthcare, and other essential services.
The Kotaracs claimed the VA gave them the runaround after they applied for their mother’s spousal benefits.
Thomas Kotarac was an Army veteran who participated in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged and died in 1979.
He left behind his wife Patricia, who would eventually be eligible for VA spousal benefits, which would cover her skilled nursing care, which her family claims she urgently requires.
“She’s got dementia. Legally blind. “I can barely hear,” said her daughter Darice Seraphin. “She required skilled care immediately, transitioning from assisted living to skilled care. That’s when we can apply for benefits.
Seraphin submitted an application for her mother’s spousal benefits and discovered Patricia was entitled to approximately $1,500 per month from the VA. That money would cover her nursing home costs.
Seraphin claimed she applied for the benefits in late 2023, but the funds never arrived.
“I began calling the VA on a monthly basis.” I was told a variety of things, including that they couldn’t find her in the computer system or my father in the computer system,” she explained.
She described it as a bureaucratic nightmare, and they were forced to pay for Patricia’s skilled care while her mother’s savings dwindled.
“It was so frustrating that at one point I gave up,” Seraphin said. “Nobody should have to wait 14 months for a widow to receive benefits to which she is fully entitled. My father did his part.
Seraphin contacted the I-Team, which contacted the VA and received an immediate response. The VA said they would investigate the window’s case.
A spokesperson told the I-Team, “Thank you for bringing this important matter to our attention. While we are unable to discuss the specific outcome for privacy reasons, we did contact the family and promptly addressed their concerns.”
Seraphin later stated that she received a call from someone in the administration.
“He apologized profusely several times for taking this long. “He said my mom’s money would be deposited within five days,” she explained.
And the money arrived: $19,122 in retroactive spousal benefits. Monthly payments from her mother have also begun to arrive. These monthly benefits enabled the family to pay for Patricia’s skilled nursing care.
The family stated that dealing with the VA isn’t always easy, but if you have a loved one who fought for our country, you should do everything you can to fight for their and their family’s benefits.
