You may wonder whether you can legally collect Social Security Disability benefits at the same time you are receiving VA disability benefits. In fact, it is not all that uncommon for veterans to be receiving both Social Security Disability and Veteran’s disability benefits at the same time. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2017, nearly 4.2 million U.S. veterans lived with some level of disability. Of these, approximately 1.4 million have been given a VA disability rating of 70 percent or higher. This means their current disability prevents them from obtaining employment and earning a living, or even living “normally.”

Disclaimer: This story is based on a real case. The names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved. Information presented here is general in nature and should not be construed as formal legal advice or as the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Cases differ and past performance does not guarantee future results.

WE HELPED EMMA WHEN THE VA COULDN'T

Emma was caught off guard. She had served in the military for five years and two months before her final tour was over, while driving to an assignment, her car was rear-ended by a tractor trailer. She survived the accident, but it left her with broken hip bones and a speech impairment from a head wound.  She was sure that her veteran’s benefits would cover her medical and other needs, but was surprised to find out that since her injuries were ruled “not service connected” she was ineligible for benefits.

Disclaimer: This story is based on a real case. The names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved. Information presented here is general in nature and should not be construed as formal legal advice or as the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Cases differ and past performance does not guarantee future results.

WE HELPED GRACIE HELP A DISABLED HOMELESS VETERAN

Gracie called me one day from the homeless outreach program at her church about one of her clients, Matthew. He had served two tours in Iraq, and was a decorated veteran, but his re-integration into life back home was not going well.  Because of PTSD and anger management issues, Matthew decided last Christmas to leave his wife and family to live on his own. His decision left him on the streets of the Capitol and he ended up coming to the shelter at least 3 nights a week. Matthew needed help to access the services that he needed to address his mental health issues and to get back on his feet.