Coordinating VA Disability Benefits and Social Security Benefits

Helping disabled persons is part of a government’s major programs. Qualified individuals are entitled to receive certain amount of benefits based on his or her eligibility and needs, and as mandated by the law.

Veterans are absolutely entitled to receive both VA disability benefits and Social Security benefits once they reach the maximum age limit of 65. Under the law, the maximum limit of benefits that possible recipients can get is the combination of the VA disability benefits and Social Security benefits. However, they cannot get all the assistance offered by the two benefits. Therefore, they must first know how to coordinate the two before being entitled for both benefits.

Here are the tips in coordinating the two benefits:

• Choose where you want to apply first; either VA disability benefits or social security benefits.

• Wait for the decision regarding your first claim.

• Apply for the second benefit after the first one has been awarded to you. Be sure that you have written on your application form that you are currently receiving benefits from the other administration. This is for the purpose of computing the benefits to be awarded by the second administration to you since there is a limit regarding the matter that was set under the law.

• Again, wait for the decision regarding your second claim.

• Don’t forget to secure copies of your medical records from the Veterans Affairs since it is one of the requirements to be presented in the Social Security Administration when applying for the Social Security benefits.

• Don’t ever try to make any falsification on your application and other pertinent documents to collect more benefits than you deserve. Once you are caught lying by any or both of those two administrations, you will not only pay back the money you collected but you could also be prosecuted.

Now, you can enjoy both VA disability benefits and Social Security benefits. It might not be at its best limit but at least you’re enjoying both benefits. It’s so much worth for your long earned money.

For further details about the maximum limit of disability benefits, kindly visit the official website of Veterans Affairs at http://www.va.gov/ and Social Security Administration at http://ssa.gov/

Adult – Baby Still Eligible for Social Disability Claims Despite Senator’s Complaint

After watching a childish man designing and doing some adult – sized infant furniture in an international TV show, US Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma ordered the Social Security Administration to conduct an investigation regarding the social disability case of the immature 30 – year old man, Stanley Thornton.

The Senator’s spokesperson said the Senator is surprised to know that the federal government is continuously sending social disability checks to the childish man who is capable of designing and building adult sized infant furniture.

Stanley Thornton is living as an immature man in Redding, California. At age 30, he still wears diapers, spoon – fed and dressed and pampered as a baby by his house mates. He was once featured at the National Geographic Channel building furniture - like oversized high chairs where he was seen by the senator.

As a prompt response to the senator’s complaint, the Social Security Administration said that they have recently reviewed Thornton’s case and found out that his disabilities is continuing, therefore he is still eligible for his social security disability claim.

In an essay written by Thornton, he cited that his social security benefits are established on his range of condition – beginning from post – traumatic to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to spinal problems and to depression and not on his babyish lifestyle.

Having such a lifestyle and both mentally and physically incapable of doing anything might be very distressful. Apparently, people with such kind of condition don’t want those things to happen in their life, but it does. Perhaps, if they only have a choice, they would still want to live a normal life even without those social security benefits and the likes.

After a series of investigations, the Social Security Administration eventually closed Thornton’s case and decided to allow Thornton would to continue receiving social security disability check from the federal government.

What's in Store for U.S. Social Security Fund

The U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announced on Monday that the nation has reached its legal debt limit, causing a potential default on paying creditors and further cuts on Social Security fund.

Geithner presented his report before Congress on the nation's $14.3 trillion debt. He argued that the Obama administration must raise debt ceiling by August 2 to resolve credit dues. Should the Administration fail to do so, the credit will be defaulted.

The United States' impending bankruptcy can trigger global investors to bail out and hamper other businessmen from resuming commerce.

Geithner suggested that Obama administration raise the debt ceiling and cut expenses within the 11-week deadline. He presented a further increase of $2 trillion by year 2012.

House Speaker John Boehner affirmed the Republicans’ support for the budget reform. He added that the Administration must find its way to reduce government spending.

Democrats warned of prolonged delay on Social Security benefits as the government plans to borrow from its fund.

Critics argued the Obama's administration need to choose between paying creditors and sustaining Social Security benefits. Should the government fail to decide on which is the priority, the economy will collapse in three months.

What's in store for U.S. Social Security fund if the government borrows from it? It will result to reduced monetary benefits and denied claims until the government finds a way to restore its funds. What can be expected from Social Security? There will be limited access to health care, but new opportunities for citizens to pay SS taxes.

Should you encounter difficulty in processing your Social Security disability claims, you can consult with a lawyer in Los Angeles to help you with your claim.

Receiving your hard-earned benefits should not be that painful as your medical condition. You may call Mesriani Law Group number at 1-866-772-2889 toll free. You may also send an email at info@mesriani.com for free case analysis.

Social Security Goes Electronic on Paying Benefits

Starting May 1, receiving your Social Security benefits through Electronic payment method will no longer be a question, but a mandate.

Say goodbye to checks as the Social Security Administration (SSA) has required all SS beneficiaries to enroll in an electronic account for their disability, supplemental income, survivors', or retirement monthly allowances.

The SSA has started sending notices to SS beneficiaries on how they can enroll into the Electronic payment system. In the letter, SSA explains the process for registering their account online. Also, SSA gives alternative enrollment methods suppose beneficiaries do not have access to internet. These include direct deposit or direct express scheme.

Beneficiaries who prefer direct deposit can request for a Direct Express Debit MasterCard card or a prepaid debit card. They can receive their money right on their account without the need to wait for SS mail. The SSA affirms card holders that their money is attached on the account, not on the card per se. This gives further protection in case the card is stolen or missing. When this happens, beneficiaries can easily ask for a replacement card to recover their money.

However, senior citizens or retirees who have difficulty accessing electronic or online terminals can still visit a service center to retrieve their monthly allowances.

The new E-system aims to cut $1 billion from SSA expense over the next ten years. It promises a speedier payment scheme, a more accurate account statement, and safer money transfer. On top of everything, SSA seeks to upgrade the technology that it uses to monitor and aid citizens.

Sounds like SSA realizes its need for E- fine tuning. Well, it's a good start to show support on government's campaign on austerity and accuracy.

Obama Supports Social Security Income Cap Increase

For years now, the government has been presenting a lot of proposals to alleviate the budget deficit. What’s sad about this, some plans tackle some considerations that will affect Social Security like altering retirement age, decreasing disability benefit amounts and even increasing income cap. However, it is unclear if these proposals can definitely help ease our budget deficit.

Last Tuesday, President Barack Obama expressed his support on the proposal to raise income cap on Social Security to strengthen fiscal budget for retirees. Yet, Obama’s advisers still has to determine how much would be the increase not to result much burden to the working population. Last year, a recommendation increasing the cap to $107,000 but the chief executive rejected it.

On his statement, Obama said that Social Security may not have contributed to the budget deficit but it may not be able to provide full benefits for retiring workers in the next few decades if no actions will be implemented to stabilize its finances immediately. A bit of adjustment to Social Security cap would bring significant amount to reinforce the program, Obama reiterated.

This year, Social Security will spend more in paying benefits than it will collect taxes. Experts believe that the program might have to borrow funds from the federal reserves by the year 2015 and if the government failed to come up with better solution, no funds will be available to pay benefits by the year 2037.

It is very critical for the government to resolve the budget crisis before our economy completely collapse. Nonetheless, it may also be important to consider sparing Social Security or at least implement programs that will not be too harsh for the members.

Workers must still be able to receive suitable disability benefits, retirement benefits and other support programs that they deserve even after budget measures have been implemented. Else, abolish Social Security and let private institutions handle the job.

Woman Faces Social Security Fraud Charges

Most people rely on their Social Security benefits to provide them with income or compensation in times of their disability or retirement. But in order to receive these benefits, they have to pay social security taxes or meet certain requirements.

A woman was recently held on fraud charges after she stole different names and identities in order to avoid paying up social security taxes as she received disability benefits.

Cynthia Gudger faced fraud charges after authorities found a Disability Report Adult in 2001 which shows Gudger applied on a different name, “Lynda Cole”, and stated a different social security number in order to claim disability benefits. By doing so, she was able to embezzle a total of $22,181 in Supplemental Security Income Benefits.

Aside from this identity, she also used other names to unlawfully collect benefits and so she is now indicted on five counts of Social Security fraud.

On the end of SSA, they also have been unable to correctly verify the identity of 61-year-old Gudger. Many disability claims of rightful claimants are denied while some who wrongfully steals the identity of another, like in the case of Gudger, are granted of their claims.

Those whose claims have been rejected by the SSA, they still have a shot at receiving benefits by correctly following the appeals process with the help of a skilled Social Security Attorney.

Woman Faces Social Security Fraud Charges

Many people rely on their Social Security benefits to provide them with compensation in times of their disability or retirement. But in order to receive these benefits, they have to pay social security taxes or meet certain requirements.

A woman was recently held on fraud charges after she stole different names and identities in order to avoid paying up social security taxes as she received disability benefits.

Cynthia Gudger faced fraud charges after authorities found a Disability Report Adult in 2001 which shows Gudger applied on a different name, “Lynda Cole”, and stated a different social security number in order to claim disability benefits. By doing so, she was able to embezzle a total of $22,181 in Supplemental Security Income Benefits.

Aside from this identity, she also used other names to unlawfully collect benefits and so she is now indicted on five counts of Social Security fraud.

On the end of SSA, they also have been unable to correctly verify the identity of 61-year-old Gudger. Many disability claims of rightful claimants are denied while some who wrongfully steals the identity of another, like in the case of Gudger, are granted of their claims.

Those whose claims have been rejected by the SSA, they still have a shot at receiving benefits by correctly following the appeals process with the help of a skilled Social Security Attorney.