As discussed last week in this blog, Georgia veterans often face an uphill battle to get the assistance they deserve, in spite of everything they have done to serve their country. Fortunately, there are programs available to help disabled veterans get the financial assistance they need.
Different kinds of benefits may be available to disabled veterans. Veterans may have certain benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition to VA benefits, there may be Social Security disability benefits available, as well as benefits available through the Supplemental Security Income program.
Because the programs exist for different purposes, they have different eligibility requirements. SSD claims are typically available for those who are unable to perform substantial gainful activity because of an impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months. There is a five-step process that is followed to determine a person’s eligibility for SSD benefits. Officials examine factors like the severity of the impairment and the person’s ability to perform his or her past work. A veteran with a service-connected disability may be entitled to multiple kinds of benefits when he or she meets the disability requirements of differing kinds of benefits.
In addition to having different definitions of what constitutes a disability, there are other differences like different earnings thresholds. Accordingly, there is no shortage of questions that can arise when considering veterans and Social Security disability claims.
Ultimately, veterans who may have a “service connected” disability claim should understand what benefits may be available and what eligibility requirements apply for each type of claim.
Source: Social Security Administration, “Veterans who apply for Social Security Disabled-Worker Benefits after receiving a Department of Veterans Affairs Rating of “total disability” for service-connected impairments: Characteristics and outcomes,” accessed on Oct. 1, 2016
