Those who have served in the military have sacrificed for our nations freedom, so it comes as no surprise that the federal government provides these individuals with several benefit options if they become disabled or retired—including Social Security Disability benefits.
In fact, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs recently announced that they would be partnering to expedite Social Security Disability claims for veterans who are deemed 100 percent disabled.
While many agree veterans should be legally entitled to receive both these and other benefits, there are some who argue a minority of veterans are abusing the cash-strapped system.
An article from The Washington Times explains a report from the Government Accountability Office found tens of thousands of veterans were “triple dipping” by receiving not only military retirement and VA disability benefits, but also Social Security Disability benefits. While the practice is perfectly legal, the report pointed out some of these individuals were receiving three times as much being disabled and retired than they would if they were still working. This has some calling for a repeal to a 2004 law, which allowed veterans to receive all of these benefits; however, such proposals have been made in the past unsuccessfully.
The situation highlights the need to have legal guidance from a Social Security Disability lawyer if you’re a disabled veteran who is seeking assistance from the federal government. At Newlin Disability, we’re available to answer any questions you may have about a claim you’re preparing to file—or even a claim that was denied in the past. Call us anytime at (800) 477-7315 to speak with a member of our legal team.
