Being unable to work because of a physical or mental disability can be a very upsetting experience for people all across Atlanta. Not only can it be very difficult to cope with a serious illness or injury, but disabled workers can also be frustrated by the fact that they cannot earn a living. For many people in this situation, there is relief available through Social Security benefits.
But as many people in Georgia may already know, the process of applying for these benefits can be very confusing and time-consuming. The Social Security Administration has acknowledged the fact that their system of reviewing and approving applications is significantly flawed, and an enormous backlog has only made matters worse for people who are waiting to get the benefits they need. But a recent announcement was made that aims to streamline this process for at least one group of disabled workers.
Veterans who have suffered a disabling injury or illness during active duty are among those who are forced to wait for months or even years before they are able to get the benefits they deserve. Even those who are rated as 100 percent disabled by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs get caught up in the system and end up waiting far too long to receive disability benefits. But the SSA recently announced that they are making changes that would dramatically improve the timeline for completely disabled veterans.
Veterans who are deemed completely disabled by the VA will now be categorized as high-priority cases. This means that their application will be pushed to the top of the pile. Instead of waiting weeks or months for approval, veterans could be approved in just days. Unfortunately, this announcement is only targeted at helping the most severely disabled veterans. Those who receive a disability rating of any less than 100 percent could still get stuck in the system.
There are many men and women who return to Atlanta after completing their service and are unable to work because of a serious physical or mental condition they have suffered while serving their country. Getting benefits can be crucial, which is why people seeking benefits may want to speak with an attorney who is familiar with the application and approval process. With support, veterans can navigate the system more efficiently and can access the financial support for which they are eligible.
Source: The Baltimore Sun, “Social Security to expedite veteran disability claims,” Yvonne Wenger and John Fritze, Feb. 18, 2014
