FASTER BENEFIT DECISIONS FOR DISABLED VETERANS

On Memorial Day, as we pay tribute to the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we also share some news about Social Security disability benefits for veterans with disabilities: a new expedited disability process.

We believe it is important to recognize those who currently serve in the military as well as those injured in the line of duty and consider it an honor and a duty to serve them. Whether the injury is physical or mental, getting a decision about Social Security disability benefits from your government shouldn’t add to the problems faced by the injured.

Carolyn W. Colvin, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, recently unveiled a new initiative to expedite disability applications from veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating of 100 percent Permanent and Total (P&T). Under the new process, Social Security will treat these veterans’ applications as high priority and issue expedited decisions, similar to the way we currently handle disability claims from wounded warriors.

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and it is only right that we ensure they have timely access to the disability benefits they may be eligible for and deserve,” said Acting Commissioner Colvin.

Learn more about the new expedited process for veterans at www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/2014/expedited-dib-process2-pr.html.

Read about this new service at www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability-pt.htm.

You can also visit our Wounded Warriors page at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. There you’ll find informative webinars, a Disability Planner, an overview of our disability programs and the convenient online disability application.

Kirk Larson is a Social Security Administration Public Affairs Specialist located in Seattle and serving Western Washington