Social Security Disability Benefits for Service Members

The United States Social Security Administration administers benefits and ensures financial protection for around 64 million individuals in the nation. Social security benefit payments are made to adults and children with disabilities, retirees, and surviving family members with the objective of maintaining the welfare and protection of American citizens. The Administration also offers Medicare benefits to eligible individuals. In addition to providing benefits for veterans, it also protects dependents of service members such as widows, widowers and children dependent on them by offering survivors’ benefits. Disability lawyers can help wounded military service members obtain disability benefits by submitting claims on their behalf and working to expedite the claim processing. Medical record review is an important requirement when it comes to determining eligibility. Social security requires applicants to produce proof of total disability, or the inability to perform any full-time work.

Veterans having a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Compensation rating of 100% Permanent & Total stand a good chance of getting their disability claims processed quickly.

Both Social Security Benefits and Veterans Benefits May Be Available

SS benefits as well as military retirement benefits are available for service members – the military retirement benefit will not reduce the SS retirement benefit amount. At the age of 65, service members can apply for Medicare benefits. However, health benefits may change for those members already enrolled in health insurance programs from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or under the TRICARE or CHAMPVA programs when they become eligible for Medicare.

This dual coverage is called “concurrent eligibility.” Many care providers as well as VA staff and veteran groups are not aware of the social security coverage available alongside VA benefits. The norms for disability are more or less the same though eligibility and benefit levels, and procedures may vary. Sometimes, there may be offsets in benefits between the SSA and VA. Mostly, however, vets are eligible to receive both VA benefits and SSD benefits without any reductions. Once you get a favorable decision in one, it could serve as helpful evidence for the other claim.

A veteran may be found eligible to receive one of two disability program benefits through the Veterans Administration.

• If the veteran has a service-associated mental or physical disability, even if the disability is partial. This benefit is paid irrespective of resources, income, and financial status.
• The second program pays benefits to disabled veterans whose disability is not service-associated. To be eligible, the veteran must have served in active duty during a period of war and must have a total and permanent disability. However, this benefit may not be available along with social security disability.

It is important to note that there are some legislative presuppositions that may enable veterans to win their VA case. An example is if the veteran has served in Vietnam during the war, is diagnosed with diabetes, and has at least a 10% disability rating, then it is presumed that the diabetes is connected with his service.

SSA Focused on Encouraging People to Plan for Their Futures

The SSA has always tried to encourage people to plan for their futures. To offer higher quality service to Americans, the SSA has launched its Vision 2025 program that was designed considering ideas and insights from diverse sources such as the public, advocates, unions, employees, management associations and members of Congress. Those who wish to voice their opinions, provide feedback and share their own vision can visit the government website www.socialsecurity.gov/vision2025.

Statistics show that at least 33% of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled before they touch age 67 and will be eligible for SS disability benefits. Out of the total benefits paid, 16% is going to disabled workers and their dependents. 10% of total SS benefits are paid to survivors of deceased workers. It is important therefore that people start thinking about Social Security even before age 60 because many workers may need it before they reach retirement age.