DISABILITY SURVIVAL GUIDE: NORTH ALABAMA EDITION

The government encourages disabled veterans to apply for Social Security disability benefits. Veterans with at least 70 percent VA disability have an advantage with Social Security. First, another government agency (the Veteran's Administration) has examined their claims and found them to have a significant medical disability.  While Social Security is not bound by the VA's finding, it is a good indication of disability, since the VA rules are similiar to Social Security's rules. Second, the military provides extensive medical evaluations and treatment.  Thus, there are excellent medical records available to support an SSDI claim. Third, if the veteran has a 100 percent permanent and total VA rating, Social Security will expedite the application process so that a faster decision can be made. A note of caution is in order here:  Social Security will deny most applications at the initial level.  An appeal is usually required for a claim to be approved.  ...

Stop and think before you dial that 1-800 number for a disability lawyer.  Who is on the other end of the line?  Where are they?  Are you calling a firm in New York or New Jersey?  If so, you will never meet them.  They will send a local representative to your hearing--someone you have never met before hearing day.   Some questions to ask before you call? * Do I want to choose who will represent me at my hearing, or do I want some out-of-state firm to choose for me? * Do I want to meet my representative face-to-face before the hearing, or are long distance phone calls good enough? *Do I want personal attention to my disability case, or am I OK with being a "case number" with a firm that has never met me, and probably never will? *Do I want a representative who knows the local judges, including the judge who will handle my hearing? Local attorney/advocates here in Athens don't generally use 800 phone numbers. When you see an 800 phone number...

Disabled veterans are often eligible for payments from the Veterans Administration (VA). But don't overlook major benefits from Social Security (SSA), too. Social Security can pay up to $2,800 per month and may also provide additional benefits for each dependent child.  These are in addition to VA benefits. Social Security is a little different from the VA process.  Here's a brief checklist of things you should know about SSDI:   The Social Security application process is separate from the VA process. VA approval does not automatically mean Social Security approval. With VA, you can get a partial disability award; with Social Security, it is all or none. Most Social Security applications are denied initially and must be appealed. Your chances of approval are best with representation by a firm that knows Social Security's requirements and process.   The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville works with hundreds of veterans to get Social Security disability benefits...