Veterans Attorney at Hook Law Center Praises Expedited Social Security Claims Processing for Disabled Veterans

Hook Law Center (formerly Oast & Hook)

Virginia Beach, VA (Law Firm Newswire) April 22, 2014 – The Social Security Administration recently announced an expedited approval process for disability claims filed by disabled veterans.

The new process was announced in a statement from Acting Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn W. Colvin. It applies to veterans with a disability compensation rating of 100 percent Permanent & Total (P&T) from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These veterans’ applications for Social Security Disability Insurance will be treated as high-priority and be decided on an expedited basis, similar to those under the Wounded Warriors program.

Hampton Roads veterans attorney Andrew Hook praises the announcement.

“This is a necessary and welcome change for some of our most deserving veterans,” Hook says. “Those meeting the strict standard of 100 percent Permanent and Total disability are very much in need of, and deserving of, public assistance, and should not have to wait through lengthy bureaucratic delays before getting the help they need.”

Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes, a leading Congressional advocate for veterans’ assistance, also hails the
announcement, pointing out the lengthy claims processing backlogs that are due, in part, to large numbers of aging baby boomers and wounded Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.

The SSA has reminded veterans that the new procedure only expedites claim processing and does not guarantee an approval for Social Security disability benefits. Veterans must meet strict eligibility requirements.

The VA has also made significant progress recently in reducing its own huge backlog of disability claims, employing measures including mandatory overtime for claims processors and an accelerated transition to computerized records.

“I’m glad to see the VA and Social Security working hard to correct the problem of backlogs and delays that have plagued benefits processing for vulnerable segments of our population,” adds Hook. “Veterans concerned about proper estate planning and benefits eligibility should speak with an attorney experienced in veterans’ benefits claims.”