About a month ago the Social Security Administration announced a new initiative to expedite the processing of disability claims for veterans, who have a Veteran’s Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating of 100 percent, Total and Permanent (P&T).
Earlier this month Social Security actually launched the initiative.
The idea is to consider veterans who file claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as “high priority.” The “high priority” claims are supposed to receive expedited processing and expedited decisions. This is similar to how the agency handles Wounded Warrior claims.
“We have reached another milestone for those who have sacrificed so much for our country and this process ensures they will get the benefits they need quickly,” said Acting Social Security Administration Commissioner Carolyn Colvin.
The new initiative’s main goal is to cut the red tape some veterans run into when they seek Social Security disability benefits.
“No one wants to put America’s veterans through a bureaucratic runaround,” said Congressman John Sarbanes, D-Baltimore. “As the Baby Boomer generation ages and more veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan need care, this common sense change will help reduce backlogs and cut through unnecessary red tape so that our most disabled veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned.”
In order to qualify for the expedited service, veterans must inform Social Security they have VA disability compensation rating of 100 percent Total and Permanent and show proof of their disability rating with the VA notification letter.
It is also important to remember that the VA rating only expedites the processing of claims, it does not guarantee approval.
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