The Veterans Administration’s Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) has recently announced a new initiative to reduce the rate of suicide by veterans across the country. Described as a “community-focused health model,” this new initiative is part of the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, announced earlier this year, which calls upon local communities to become more involved in caring for veterans, particularly those struggling with mental health issues as a result of their service. This initiative seeks to coordinate with local stakeholders to help veterans and make sure they have community support whenever they suffer from suicidal thoughts.
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Marriage, Divorce, or Death: How Does It Affect Social Security Benefits?
Individuals who are retired workers and their spouses who have paid into the Social Security system during their working years can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits monthly. Social security benefits are also available to individuals who are permanently and completely disabled. Major life events such as marriage, divorce, or death of a spouse may have a significant impact on social security benefits.
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Should Your Social Media Activity Determine Your Eligibility for SSD Benefits?
CBS News reported that the Social Security Administration (SSA) may view the social media posts of Social Security Disability claimants in an effort to crack down on fraud. The agency also announced that, as part of the 2020 budget, it is expanding its review process for those applying for SSD.
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AMVETS Says CBO’s Proposed Cuts Will Hurt Veterans
Stars and Stripes reported that AMVETS is protesting a series of cuts in veterans’ benefits proposed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The agency said such reductions are necessary but AMVETS argues these will negatively impact veterans in need.
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Social Security Administration Reinstates “Reconsideration” Stage
Unfortunately, recent data shows that approximately 66 percent of initial applications for social security disability are denied. That number is slightly lower for individuals who file with an attorney. Following a denied claim, the wait process can be draining.
For years, New York was one of several states which did not have a “reconsideration stage” and instead would skip right to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Once a denial was issued, the individual would have the ability to request a hearing before an adjudicative law judge. The wait time for a hearing in New York is between one and two years. Once the hearing is scheduled, the individual and a vocational expert appear before a judge where they review the claim and medical evidence.
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More Disabled People Opt to Collect Paychecks, Not Benefits
A recent article in The Wall Street Journal reported that a record number of people with mental and physical disabilities joined the workforce while, at the same time, stopped receiving disability benefits.
According to the WSJ, 51,302 people went off disability so they can find “gainful” employment; that is the most since 2002. Meanwhile, 8.5 million people are still collecting disability in December 2018, down from 9 million the same month four years ago.
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Changes Announced for Social Security in 2019
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced several benefit changes for 2019 that will increase the amount of monthly compensation received by its beneficiaries.
Currently, those who perform substantial gainful activity — that is, the level of work that a person without a disability can do — can now meet a higher threshold in order to be eligible for benefits. This year, those who are sight-impaired could make no more than $1,970 a month; in 2019, the monthly threshold will be raised to $2,040. Those who are not considered blind will likewise have their threshold moved up from $1,180 a month in 2018 to $1,220 a month next year.
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Mobile VA Clinic Makes a Stop on Long Island
On October 24, Newsday reported that the Northport VA Medical Center is providing veterans living in the Town of North Hempstead the use of a mobile unit so that they can receive the necessary medical treatment. This was brought about as the result of a petition started by North Hempstead officials to provide medical services locally to veterans who live in the town so that they do not have to travel to Northport to get the care they need.
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Veterans’ Disability Compensation Recipients Will Be Provided a Cost-of-Living Increase
The White House issued a briefing on October 10 that President Trump signed into law the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2018. This allows those receiving veterans’ disability compensation to receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase similar to what Social Security recipients receive.
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The VA and Walgreens Collaborate
In a previous article, the innovative technological advancement of “VEText” and its benefits to veterans was discussed. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs has not stopped there; the VA is continuously implementing new ways to improve how our nation’s veterans receive care.
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