As a city with a military base, San Diego residents know that the brave men and women in our nation’s armed forces put their lives on the line to protect not only our country, our freedom, and our democratic rights, but those of others, too. The least we can do to pay back these service members is ensure that they are taken care of when they return home. This is especially true when they are wounded while serving our country.
Fortunately, injured veterans are eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, just like everyone else. Additionally, those who are deemed to have a 100 percent permanent and total compensation rating are eligible to have their SSD claims expedited. Whereas it may take a year or more for civilians to have their initial claim adjudicated, disabled members of the military and veterans may have their claims decided in a matter of months. This can help them get the money they need quicker so that they don’t have to worry about how they are going to make ends meet when they are unable to work.
Many members of the military worry that their active duty or their military pay disqualifies them from receiving SSD benefits. This isn’t the case. In fact, so long as an individual isn’t considered to be engaged in substantial work that results in pay or profit, then he or she may qualify for SSD benefits. The type of work involved will be the key factor in this determination, and not the pay received.
Active duty members of the military and veterans in San Diego who have been injured or suffered an illness that has significantly affected their ability to work may want to consider seeking disability benefits. The process can be complicated, though, and claimants shouldn’t settle for nothing if their initial claim is denied. In these situations, a skilled attorney may be able to help craft legal arguments that show an individual has complied with federal regulations, met medical requirements, and is therefore worthy of disability benefits.
Source: Social Security Administration, “Information for Wounded Warriors And Veterans Who Have A Compensation Rating Of 100% Permanent & Total (P&T),” accessed on May 7, 2017