The Veterans Administration and Social Security are working together on a mid-March launch of a new program to expedite disability benefits for veterans. It has always been difficult to get these programs to talk to each other, to recognize that a finding of disability in one should be considered in the other. The VA has partial disability ratings that do not translate into total disability for Social Security, but a 100% VA rating should be recognized in this new program.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and it is only right that we ensure they have timely access to the disability benefits they may be eligible for and deserve,” said acting commissioner Colvin. “Social Security worked with Veterans Affairs to identify those veterans with disabilities who have a high probability of also meeting our definition of disability. I am proud of our collaboration and happy to announce this new service for America’s vets.”
In order to receive the expedited service, veterans must tell Social Security they have a VA disability compensation rating of 100 percent 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.
Social Security plans to launch the expedited process in mid-March.
For information about this service, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability-pt.htm