Navigating Social Security benefits can be taxing for veterans in Fresno, Bakersfield, and Stockton, California. Unbelievably, warriors and their families can be eligible for additional Social Security benefits. Particularly for people struggling with service-related disability or adjusting to civilian life, these extra advantages might offer vital financial support.
We will discuss in this blog: who qualifies for and what additional Social Security payments veterans receive.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
- What extra Social Security benefits for veterans are and who qualifies for them.
- How veterans in California and their families can access these additional benefits.
- Recent updates to Social Security and veterans’ benefits that could impact your eligibility.
- Why hiring Peña & Bromberg can help you maximize your benefits and secure the financial support you deserve.
Whether you are a family member looking for direction or a veteran, this guide will you the knowledge you need to go forward toward safeguarding your financial future.
What Are Extra Social Security Benefits for Veterans?
In addition to benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), eligible veterans may also qualify for programs through the Social Security Administration (SSA) that offer additional financial support. These benefits are not exclusive to veterans but can complement VA disability compensation, especially for those dealing with service-connected injuries or transitioning to civilian life.
Key Programs Include:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):
Provides monthly benefits to veterans who are unable to work due to a severe disability. To qualify, veterans must have earned sufficient work credits through past employment and meet the SSA’s definition of disability.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
Offers financial assistance to low-income veterans who have limited assets and little or no work history. Eligibility is based on income and resources rather than work credits.
- Survivor Benefits:
Families of deceased veterans may be eligible to receive survivor benefits through Social Security, including monthly payments to a surviving spouse or dependent children.
Important Note:
These benefits are separate from VA benefits and require a separate application through the SSA. Receiving VA disability does not disqualify you from SSDI or SSI, and in many cases, veterans receive both types of support.
How Veterans in California and Their Families Can Access Extra Benefits
Veterans in Fresno, Bakersfield, and Stockton, CA, may be eligible for extra Social Security benefits for veterans if they meet the following criteria:
1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- You must have a qualifying disability that prevents you from working.
- You must have earned enough work credits through prior employment.
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- You must have limited income and resources.
- You must be aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
3. Survivor Benefits
- Survivor benefits may be available to spouses, children, and dependant parents of dead soldiers.
- The veteran’s job history and the survivor’s relationship to the veteran define eligibility.
Although applying for these benefits can be a difficult procedure, engaging with a seasoned attorney will enable you to maximize your eligibility by guiding you across the system.
Latest Updates on Social Security and Veterans’ Benefits
Ensuring you get the most help depends on keeping current with the most recent adjustments to Social Security and veterans’ benefits. These lately occurring developments could affect your eligibility:
- 2023 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): The biggest COLA in decades, Social Security payouts rose 8.7% in 2023. This change lets veterans and their families stay current with growing living expenses.
- PACT Act Expansion: Signed into legislation in 2022, the PACT Act increased benefits for veterans who came into contact with harmful drugs while serving. This covers servicemen serving in the Gulf War, Vietnam, and following 9/11.
- Streamlined Application Process: The SSA has launched fresh projects aimed at clearing the backlog of disability claims, including speedier processing of fully completed applications and more use of technology to speed determinations.
- Mental Health Focus: Recognizing their influence on veterans’ quality of life, the SSA and VA have given mental health issues—including PTSD, depression, and anxiety—more weight.
These upgrades underline the need of keeping educated and collaborating with seasoned experts to guarantee you get the whole range of advantages available to you.
Why Hire Peña & Bromberg?
Having the correct legal counsel on your side will make all the difference in getting veterans additional Social Security payments. For veterans in Fresno, Bakersfield, and Stockton, California, Peña & Bromberg is the recommended pick for reasons listed below:
- Veteran’s Benefits Expertise: Our lawyers have knowledge and experience to manage even the most complicated matters since they specialize in Social Security and veterans’ benefits.
- Individualized Attention: Every veteran’s circumstances is different. Our staff listens to your narrative, responds to your inquiries, and creates a customized plan to best optimize your benefits.
- Proven Track Record: We have proven track record of helping many veterans and their families obtain the benefits they are due, and we are dedicated to advocate for your rights all through the process.
- No Fees Unless We Win: Operating on a contingency fee basis, we do not charge fees until we prove your case. This lets you concentrate on your recuperation free from concern about initial legal expenses.
- Compassionate Support: We understand how difficult this process may be, hence we are here to offer the direction and help you need to properly negotiate it.
Final Thoughts: Secure the Benefits You’ve Earned
Though navigating Social Security and veterans’ benefits might be taxing, you are not alone in this process. The staff at Peña & Bromberg is here to assist veterans from Fresno, Bakersfield, or Stockton, California. From knowing your eligibility to completing a good application, our knowledgeable lawyers will work nonstop to guarantee you and your family get the additional Social Security benefits for veterans you have earned.
Don’t wait; get in touch now to arrange a free consultation and start along the path to protect your financial future.
