Category Archives: Veterans

SCAM ALERT: Veteran Phone Scam

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Do not take free phones from strangers. There is a new scam that is targeting veterans and even setting up booths near VA facilities. The helpful salesperson tells the veteran about a government program that provides free phones and cell service for veterans. However, this free phone could be very costly.

 
After signing up for the service the veteran will receive, perhaps months later, a notice that requires a lot of personal information and documents to prove that they meet the income requirements, although income requirements were not mentioned by the helpful sales person who signed the veteran up for the phone service. If their income is too high, the veteran has to pay for the service.

 
There is a government program, called Lifeline, that provides free or low cost phone service, but this program is income dependent and has nothing to do with being a veteran.
* The information contained in this Blog is intended for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an opinion of counsel.

Social Security Launches New Expedited Disability Process for Veterans

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Social Security announced the launch of a new disability process to expedite disability claims filed by veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation rating of 100% Permanent & 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 the agency currently handles disability claims from Wounded Warriors.

In order to receive the expedited service, veterans must tell Social Security they have a VA disability compensation rating of 100% P&T and show proof of their disability rating with their VA Notification Letter.

The VA rating only expedites Social Security disability claims processing and does not guarantee an approval for Social Security disability benefits.  These veterans must still meet the strict eligibility requirements for a disability allowance.
For information about this service, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability-pt.htm.

For more about Social Security’s handling of Wounded Warrior’s disability claims, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.

* The information contained in this Blog is intended for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an opinion of counsel.