Social Security serves veterans
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Published: November 9, 2009
ednesday is Veterans Day, the day set aside to honor our armed forces. We need to remember they serve us each and every day of the year.
Social Security honors our nation's military personnel not only on Veterans Day, but every day of the year by providing expedited processing of disability applications. Under an agreement initiated by Social Security, the Department of Defense transmits information that allows quick identification of military personnel injured in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
The expedited process is available for any military service member who becomes disabled during active duty on or after Oct. 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Depending on the situation, some family members of military personnel also may be able to receive benefits, including dependent children and spouses.
If you, or someone you know, was wounded while on active duty in the military, find out more about what Social Security can do for you by visiting the Web site designed specifically for wounded veterans: www.socialsecurity.gov/ woundedwarriors. There, you will find answers to a number of commonly asked questions, as well as other useful information about disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Pay special attention to the fact sheets available on that Web site, Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors and Expediting Disability Applications for Wounded Warriors.
You'll also find links to useful Veterans Affairs Web sites. There are links to information about the "Operation Enduring Freedom / Operation Iraqi Freedom Home," information on Survivors Benefits, the Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes, a fact sheet on Veterans benefits, and the Veterans Online Application, known as VONAPP.
Although the expedited service is relatively new, military personnel have been covered under Social Security since 1957. Even people in the service before 1957 may receive special credit for some of their service. People in the military are covered for the same Social Security survivors, disability and retirement benefits as everyone else.
Under certain circumstances for years up to 1968, additional earnings can be credited to a veteran's Social Security earnings record. The extra earnings are for periods of active duty or active duty for training. These extra earnings may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit and are added to your earnings record when you apply for Social Security benefits.
To learn more about Social Security for people who have served in the military, read a copy of the publication, Military Service and Social Security. You can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html, or call (800) 772-1213 (TTY (800) 325-0778) as for a free copy, available through the U.S. Postal Service.
Lee Wilson is a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration in Rutland. His e-mail address is Lee.Wilson@ssa.gov. The Rutland office phone number is 775-0893.
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