Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents & Survivors

This booklet contains a summary of the benefits programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for which Veterans and their families may be eligible. Eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Some VA benefits require service during wartime. Applications for VA benefits can be submitted online. This document can also be downloaded in PDF format in Spanish.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/other_benefits_programs/veterans_&_military.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Ticket to Work Program for People Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

Answers common questions about the Ticket to Work program, which can help people receiving disability benefits access vocational rehabilitation, education, job training and placement services, as well as other services and supports to help reach employment goals.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/work_incentives_&_employment_supports/ticket_to_work.

Veterans Benefits Fact Sheets

The benefits section of Disability.gov has been updated with several new fact sheets for Veterans including Automobile & Special Adaptive Equipment Grants, Benefits for Filipino Veterans and Disability Compensation for Sexual or Personal Trauma.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/other_benefits_programs/veterans_&_military.

Disability.gov California Update: SSA Asks Inspector General to Investigate California and Hawaii Disability Determination Services

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, has asked the agency's Inspector General to investigate allegations that the states of California and Hawaii have recently implemented practices that deny applicants the right to receive full consideration of their Social Security disability claims.

For more information about benefits in California, visit http://www.disability.gov/state/california/benefits.

Disability.gov Veterans' Benefits Update: VA & DoD Announce Disability Evaluation System Pilot Expansion

To expedite the delivery of benefits to many injured Service Members who receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department announced the expansion of a program with the Department of Defense (DoD) to streamline the application process for people retiring or exiting the military due to disabilities. The Disability Evaluation System (DES) pilot began in November 2007 and is expanding to an additional six military installations, bringing the total number to 27 military facilities where a single physical examination serves as the basis for determining whether military personnel are fit enough to stay on active duty and to determine their eligibility for VA disability compensation.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/other_benefits_programs/veterans_&_military.

Disability.gov Benefits News & Events Update: Social Security Holds Disability Hearing on Compassionate Allowances and Schizophrenia

The Social Security Administration (SSA) hosted a public hearing on Compassionate Allowances for people living with schizophrenia.  SSA heard testimony from some of the nation's leading experts on schizophrenia about possible methods of identifying and implementing Compassionate Allowances for young adults with schizophrenia.  "Schizophrenia is a devastating disease that affects more than two million Americans, primarily individuals in their teens and twenties," said Commissioner Astrue.  "The onset of schizophrenia has life-changing consequences, which can include unemployment and homelessness."

For more benefits-related new and event, visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/news_%26_events.

ARCHIVED: Disability.gov Veterans' Benefits Update: SSA Webinar for Wounded Warriors

This post may contain outdated information.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is hosting a national webinar for Wounded Warriors on November 4, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Participants will learn about benefit programs and get answers to questions such as who is eligible, and when and how to apply for benefits.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/other_benefits_programs/veterans_&_military.

Disability.gov Veterans' Benefits Update: VA Extends "Agent Orange" Benefits to More Veterans

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam Veterans with three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to Agent Orange. The illnesses affected by the recent decision are B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson's disease; and ischemic heart disease. This decision means that Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a "presumed" illness don't have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service. This simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits.

For more information about benefits for veterans and members of the military, visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/other_benefits_programs/veterans_&_military.

Disability.gov Benefits News & Events Update: Social Security Hearings Backlog Down for First Time in Decade

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has reported that for the first time since 1999 SSA has ended the year with fewer disability hearings pending than in the prior year. Social Security ended fiscal year (FY) 2009 with 722,822 hearings pending compared to 760,813 hearings pending at the start of the year, a reduction of more than 37,000 cases. Over the same period, the average processing time for these cases improved from 514 days in FY 2008 to 491 in FY 2009. Read more about SSA's hearings and appeals process.

For more benefits news, information visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/news_%26_events.

Disability.gov Veterans' Benefits Update: VA Warns Veterans of Telephone Prescription Scam

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information. Veteran Service Organizations have brought to VA's attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone. They say VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and ask for the Veteran's credit card number. Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the nearest VA medical center or call, toll-free, 1-877-222-8387.

For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/benefits/other_benefits_programs/veterans_&_military.