We Have The Answers To Common Questions Regarding Social Security And Veterans’ Disability Benefits

Although you may need to pay taxes on Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits, you will not need to pay federal income taxes on any Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits you receive. Very simply, SSDI benefits are awarded regardless of assets and income, while SSI benefits are only available to those with very little property and a very limited income.

If you receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits, you will receive a SSA-1099 in the mail from the Social Security Administration (SSA) listing the payments you have received during the prior year. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you will not receive a 1099 tax form regarding the payments.

Since SSI benefits are non-taxable, you do not have to report them on your tax return. However, you still need to report any other income on your taxes, such as money made through interest or dividends.

If you receive SSI benefits and have a question about Social Security disability benefits and your taxes, speak with a tax advisor or a CPA. If you have a question about whether or not you may be eligible for SSI benefits, you may wish to speak to Morgan & Weisbrod, disability lawyers in Dallas. Call us today to schedule a no-obligation consultation about your claim.

Due to a significant backlog of cases and the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it can take up to a year for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to process your disability claim, provide you with a rating decision, and approve you for benefits.

What Happens if I File an Appeal?

If you make the decision to file an appeal in the year following a denial of veterans’ disability benefits, it takes an average of seven months to receive another decision. If you then appeal the Statement of the Case, you may wait another two years before you receive benefits. While these long wait times can be frustrating and financially straining, it is important that you do not become discouraged from applying for disability benefits or appealing a denial if you do indeed deserve support.

How Can I Speed Up the Process?

How can you make the approval or appeals process go faster? While there is little you can do to speed up the process, you can make sure that you provide the VA with complete medical records that clearly link your illness or health condition with your military service – and that you complete all of the other necessary paperwork needed for approval.

Need legal assistance with your veterans’ disability benefits case? Contact the Texas disability attorneys at Morgan & Weisbrod today.

If your child suffers from a serious disability in Texas and does not have significant financial support or resources, he or she may be eligible to collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.

To qualify, your child must:

• Be under the age of 18
• Have a limited income and limited resources, and have parents or guardians with limited income and limited resources
• Not be earning more than $1,000 a month from employment
• Suffer from mental or physical disabilities that severely limit their activities
• Suffer from mental or physical disabilities that will last more than a year or result in death

Some common health conditions that qualify for SSI disability payments for children in Texas include: HIV/AIDS infection, blindness, deafness, muscular dystrophy, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and extremely low birth weight.

To apply for SSI payments for your disabled child, you must provide detailed medical records, financial records, and other information that proves that your child is disabled and without significant resources. If you need assistance with securing SSI disability payments for your child in Texas, speak with a Houston disability attorney today.

Supplementary Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to those with low incomes and few resources who are disabled, blind, or over 65 years old. Both children and adults can qualify for benefits. To qualify for SSI benefits due to a physical or mental disability, you must be unable to work for at least 12 months, have little or no income, and have under $2,000 in resources (such as property and other assets). Couples may have up to $3,000 in resources.

Unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), SSI payments are not based on an individual’s work history or past contributions. Instead of being funded by Social Security taxes, SSI is funded by federal income taxes. As of 2011, about 8 million Americans receive some amount of Supplementary Security Income.

You may apply for Supplementary Security Income though your local Social Security Administration office. During the application process – which takes approximately three to six months – applicants must prove their disability and disclose their income and resources. If you are denied SSI benefits, you have 60 days to appeal your case.

Have more questions about Supplementary Security Income (SSI)? Speak with a Texas disability attorney today.

United States military veterans who have been injured or made ill during active duty service may qualify for VA disability benefits. In addition, some veterans whose established conditions were made worse because of their service and some veterans who were harmed due to VA health care errors are also eligible for benefits. Those who became sick or disabled while with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard are all eligible for compensation – as long as the veteran can prove that their health condition was connected with their service.

Those who were dishonorably discharged will not be granted benefits, regardless of their disability.

It is not just those who are physically injured in combat that are eligible for veterans’ disability benefits. Former military personnel who were harmed in any way while on active duty have a right to benefits – including those who were injured outside of combat or who contracted a service-related illness or health condition. In addition, service men and women who suffer from psychological issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety may also apply for compensation.

The single best way of knowing whether or not you are eligible for VA disability benefits is to speak with a veterans’ disability claim attorney about the specifics of your own case. Call us today for more information.