The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it is piloting a new automated program for processing disability claims. The new program has been created to deal with a substantial backlog facing the agency, which often faces significant delays in processing disability claims. By automating much of the process, it is hoped that this backlog will be addressed, helping veterans to access the benefits they deserve far more quickly. Continue reading “VA Launches Automated Claim Processing Program”
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Appealing Your SSDI/SSI Application Denial
If you are one of the many people every year who applies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and gets denied, you may be wondering what your next steps are. Many people, sadly, do not know what to do, and languish believing they are entirely out of luck. Fortunately, you can appeal your denial and potentially get access to the benefits you deserve. Here are the four steps you can take when appealing your SSDI/SSI application denial:
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VA Proposes Waiver of Copays for Veterans at Risk of Suicide
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has proposed a new program that would eliminate copayments for outpatient mental health visits, and reduce copays for medications, for veterans at a high risk of suicide. This proposed rule change, published for commentary in the Federal Register on January 5, would make it substantially easier for veterans suffering from suicidal thoughts to seek mental health counseling and treatment. This, in turn, could help to deal with the high suicide rate that veterans suffer across the United States. Continue reading “VA Proposes Waiver of Copays for Veterans at Risk of Suicide”
What You Need to Prove You Have a Disability for SS Benefits
If you have a medical condition that significantly hampers your ability to handle daily tasks or impairs your ability to work, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, you need to sufficiently prove your medical condition is bad enough to legally qualify as a disability. But how do you go about proving that your medical condition is bad enough to merit getting disability benefits?
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Understanding Your VA Disability Rating
When a veteran applies for disability benefits through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, also known as the VA, they are assigned something known as a “disability rating.” This rating is an essential part of determining what kinds of benefits a veteran will receive. But what is this disability rating, and how does the VA decide what your rating is?
Is Your Medical Condition Enough For You to Be Considered Disabled?
If you are suffering from a severe medical or psychological condition, you may be wondering if you might be eligible for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, not everyone with a condition that might be considered a disability will be legally eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). So what exactly is it that makes a person “disabled” in the eyes of the SSA?
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Three New Respiratory Ailments Added to VA Presumptive Disabilities List
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (also known as the VA) has added three new diseases to its list of presumptive disabilities based on the risk of toxic exposure. These three new diseases, which includes asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis, will now receive special treatment under the law, making it easier for veterans to apply for disability benefits based on those conditions. This will, in turn, reduce the difficulty that many veterans have had in seeking disability benefits from the VA.
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What is the Federal SSI Income Limit?
Every year, more than 600,000 people across New York receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. For these people, and millions more around the country, Supplemental Security Income represents an important benefit that helps them to cover their expenses and keep a roof over their heads. However, SSI is subject to an income limit, and it is not as easy as it sounds to determine whether someone has reached that limit.
VA Renews Partnership With IHS to Help Native American Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (also known as the VA) has announced that it is renewing its partnership with the Indian Health Service (IHS) to increase access to care for Native American and Alaska Native veterans. They are looking to improve access to Native American veterans who often suffer high barriers to accessing care, while also integrating the two healthcare systems to facilitate care. They are also looking to expand enrollment in the systems to help vulnerable populations better access the care they need.
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Why is the Acceptance Rate for SSDI/SSI Applications So Low?
According to statistics released by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the acceptance rate for Social Security disability benefits is shockingly low. Of the approximately two million applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that the SSA receives every year, only about 800,000 to 900,000 make it through the entire process. But why is that, and how can applicants increase their chances of acceptance?
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