Social Security Launches New Expedited
Disability Process for Veterans -- Fast-tracking Disability Decisions for Vets
with 100% Permanent and Total Rating
March 18, 2014
Carolyn W. Colvin,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today 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.
“We have reached
another milestone for those who have sacrificed so much for our country and
this process ensures they will get the benefits they need quickly,” said Acting
Commissioner Colvin. “While we can never fully repay them for their
sacrifices, we can be sure we provide them with the quality of service that
they deserve. This initiative is truly a lifeline for those who need it
most."
“No one wants to put
America’s veterans through a bureaucratic runaround,” said Maryland
Congressman John Sarbanes, a leading proponent for increasing assistance to
veterans. “As the baby boomer generation ages and more veterans of the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan need care, this common sense change will help
reduce backlogs and cut through unnecessary red tape so that our most disabled
veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned.”
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 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 visitwww.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.
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