Social Security Disability Benefits for Injured Military Veterans
Military veterans who are unable to work as a result of an injury may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits, even if they already receive other benefits from the military.
July 26, 2012
Social Security Disability Benefits for Injured Military VeteransTo help wounded soldiers receive disability benefits more quickly, the Social Security Administration offers expedited claims processing for military veterans who are unable to work as a result of an injury received in service.
Who is Eligible for Disability Benefits?
Members of the U.S. military may qualify for expedited claims processing with the SSA if they became disabled during active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the injury occurred. However, to receive Social Security disability benefits, an applicant must meet the SSA's strict definition of disabled. An applicant will be considered disabled if:
-The applicant is unable to do substantial work because of a medical condition, and
-The medical condition has lasted (or is expected to last) for at least one year, or is expected to lead to the applicant's death
Benefits for Family Members
In some cases, the families of wounded soldiers who qualify for disability benefits can also receive Social Security benefits. Qualifying family members typically include a disabled veteran's spouse or children, but in some cases may include other family members such as a former spouse, stepchildren or grandchildren.
Work History
To receive Social Security disability benefits, a wounded soldier must be considered "insured" by the SSA. A person becomes insured after accumulating a certain number of "credits," which are earned by working at jobs that pay taxes into the Social Security system. Most employers deduct these taxes directly from their employees' paychecks, so workers typically accrue credits automatically while working.
Other Qualifications
Injured veterans can qualify for Social Security disability benefits even if they are currently:
-On active duty
-Receiving pay from the military
-Receiving benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs
-Receiving treatment from a military facility
To learn more about Social Security Disability benefits for wounded veterans, or for help submitting a claim, contact a knowledgeable Social Security Disability lawyer in your area.
Article provided by Chris R. Borgia, Esq.
Visit us at http://www.socialsecuritydisabilitylaw.net