With one rare exception, you cannot collect retirement and disability benefits from Social Security at the same time. Social Security retirement benefits are for people who have worked all their lives and reached full retirement age, which is 66 1/2 years as of 2019. Social Security disability is for people who become disabled and are … Read More »
If you are a current or former service member collecting Social Security disability, you do not need to worry about whether the military finds out about you collecting SSI. Receiving Social Security disability — either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) — does not disqualify you from serving in the military. … Read More »
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level government agency that administers a number of services for our nation’s service members. It began in 1930 when President Franklin Roosevelt signed a bill creating the Veterans Administration, a federal agency. In 1988, it assumed its current form as a Cabinet department and received … Read More »
The VA helps with a number of home improvement costs for qualifying veterans. But, as of December 2018, it no longer provides grants for walk-in tubs. This change comes courtesy of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive 1113.74, which updates the VA’s procedures for giving financial assistance to veterans to help with making structural modifications to … Read More »
If you served in the National Guard or National Guard Reserve and suffered a disabling medical condition in the course of your service, you may be eligible to collect VA disability benefits. Your eligibility depends on your length of service and duty status as well as the nature of your injury or illness. In addition, … Read More »
You can apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits if you were in special education at school. But the fact that you required special education classes or struggled academically does not on its own guarantee your eligibility for SSI. You may submit your academic records as supporting documentation to bolster your claim that you deserve … Read More »
Generally speaking, a 100% disabled veteran may own a business and continue to collect VA benefits, but there are exceptions to this rule. If you receive 100% disability benefits because VA has deemed you unemployable, then you may not earn work-related income above the federal poverty level, including from your own business. But if your … Read More »
The VA offers health care assistance to qualified veterans. VA health care pays or helps pay for several medical costs. The specific expenses it pays for, and the amount it pays depends on several factors including your income and disability status. The standard VA Health Benefits package is comparable to a major medical insurance policy … Read More »
There is no limit to how many times you can be denied Social Security Disability. If you receive a denial after submitting an application for Social Security Disability benefits, you can either file a request for reconsideration or start over with a new claim. Every case is different, but it is generally better to file … Read More »
A 100% VA disability rating is not easy to receive. Getting a 100% rating requires that you prove to VA that you meet specific criteria spelled out in the disability handbook listing for your injury or illness. These criteria often require you to present medical evidence showing specific lab values or diagnostic criteria. If you … Read More »