How to Claim VA Benefits for Depression

It’s important to understand the tax implications of your VA disability benefits so you can properly plan for your financial future. As a leading advocate for veterans’ rights, Comerford Law Office, LLC is committed to providing comprehensive and insightful information on this crucial topic. In this blog, we’ll discuss whether or not VA disability benefits are taxable and what factors may impact their tax status. Understanding VA Disability Benefits VA disability benefits stand as a vital form of financial assistance provided to disabled veterans, enabling them to support themselves and receive essential medical care. Over the course of two decades, Attorney James Comerford and our team have witnessed the significant impact these benefits have on the lives of veterans and their families. That’s why we are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the full benefits they deserve. Are VA Disability Benefits Taxable? The good news is that, generally, VA disability benefits are not taxable. This means you do not have to report them as income on your tax return or pay federal income tax on them. However, there may be certain circumstances where a portion of your benefits may be taxable. For example, if you receive both VA disability benefits and military retirement pay, some of your benefits may be subject to taxes. Similarly, if you have other sources of income, such as employment or investments, a portion of your benefits may also be taxed. Factors That May Impact Tax Status It’s important to note that the tax status of your VA disability benefits may also depend on the type of disability for which you are receiving benefits. For instance, if your disability is due to a combat-related injury, your benefits will not be taxed regardless of any other sources of income. Additionally, if you receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), those benefits are also not taxable. Impact of Income from Other Sources If you do have other sources of income, it’s important to understand how they may impact your VA disability benefits. For instance, if you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in addition to your VA disability benefits, the combined amount cannot exceed a certain threshold. If it does, your VA disability benefits will be reduced by the amount that exceeds the threshold. It’s important to keep this in mind when planning your finances and seeking professional advice. Seek Professional Advice Navigating the complexities of taxes and VA disability benefits can be overwhelming. That’s why we highly recommend seeking professional financial advice from a tax expert who is familiar with veterans’ benefits. They can provide personalized guidance on how to properly report your income and ensure you are not overpaying on taxes. At Comerford Law Office, LLC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support and resources to our clients. Our team of experienced attorneys is here to help you understand your VA disability benefits and ensure you receive the full amount you deserve. Contact Comerford Law Office, LLC As an esteemed advocate for veterans’ rights and benefits, Comerford Law Office, LLC is dedicated to providing the necessary guidance and knowledge for individuals seeking clarity on the taxability of VA disability benefits. Through a steadfast commitment to education and empowerment, we endeavor to ensure that veterans and their families are well-informed and equipped to navigate this critical aspect of VA benefits. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you secure the benefits you are entitled to.

Social Security Administration (SSA) officials recently announced that the cost-of-living payments for beneficiaries in 2019 will be increased by 2.8%. Under current federal law, these annual cost-of-living increases automatically boost other federal benefits. For instance, this increase will serve as a baseline for veterans who receive disability pay, as well as military retirees who receive payouts from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), so covered individuals could receive a boost in disability pay, clothing allowances, dependent compensation, and a host of other benefits starting in January. To learn more about these cost-of-living adjustments and how they could affect your own payments, please contact a member of our veterans benefits legal team for assistance. Cost-of-Living Adjustments Now Automatic For the first time, and as a result of years of pressure placed on Congress by veterans advocates, cost-of-living adjustments are now automatic for veterans who receive certain benefits. This means that, like Social Security benefit cost-of-living calculations, which are automatically updated every year to keep pace with inflation, Congress is no longer required to pass legislation on an annual basis to increase the rates of veteran disability compensation. Instead, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and the surviving family members of disabled veterans who collect dependency and indemnity compensation will be able to receive the same annual cost-of-living adjustments as Social Security benefit recipients. Significant Increase Cost-of-living adjustments are calculated using the Consumer Price Index, which measures the cost of goods and other expenses across the nation from July through September of the current year and then compares it to the previous year’s levels. Generally, if the Consumer Price Index increases, then the cost-of-living amount also changes. According to the SSA, next year, the cost-of-living will increase for Social Security benefit recipients, as well as some veterans and their families by 2.8%, which represents the highest adjustment since 2012 by nearly 1%. Based on these increases, it is estimated that veteran and military retirees who receive around $1,500 a month in payouts will receive an additional $500 over the course of the year. This significant of an increase in the cost-of-living could prove crucial to many veterans and their families who rely on their monthly benefit or pension checks, so if you have questions about how the increase will affect your own payments, please contact our legal team today. Call Today to Speak With an Experienced Veterans Benefits Attorney If you are currently collecting veterans benefits or believe that you may qualify, you need the advice of an experienced attorney who can help represent your interests. Please call The Comerford Law Office, LLC at 312-863-8572 today to speak with a dedicated veterans benefits lawyer who can explain your legal options and assist you in submitting your own claim or filing a notice of disagreement.

Illinois residents who qualify as disabled and who cannot work full-time are often able to collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Unfortunately, demonstrating to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you qualify for benefits is a difficult process. To ensure that you are not unfairly denied benefits due to a filing error, you should retain a Chicago Social Security disability benefits attorney who can walk you through the filing process. Reviewing SSDI Requirements Before Submitting Your Claim Before applicants can begin receiving SSDI benefits, they must be able to prove that they qualify. One of the most important qualifications is that an applicant’s disability falls under the SSA’s definition, which means that: He or she cannot fulfill his or her regular job duties because of the disability; The disability has lasted for or will last for at least a year or will result in his or her death; and The condition is named on the SSA’s list of disabilities or his or her diagnosis is as severe as at least one of the illnesses or disabilities contained on the list. These eligibility requirements are not always easy to apply, so applicants seeking SSDI benefits are encouraged to carefully review them before submitting their claim. This also ensures that claimants are able to collect the medical evidence necessary to demonstrate the severity of a disability to the SSA. Official Diagnosis Claimants are much more likely to be approved for SSDI benefits if they receive an official diagnosis from a medical professional, as the SSA will not be convinced by a mere list of symptoms. Obtaining treatment and seeing a doctor regularly can also go a long way when it comes to proving that a condition is actually considered a disability by the SSA. It will also be necessary to provide the treating physician’s contact information, as well as proof of the dates of treatment, the names of all prescribed medications, and records of diagnostic tests and lab results. Retaining Work History Records Disabled applicants can only begin receiving benefits if they can pass two earnings requirements tests, which help determine whether a person paid taxes for long enough to justify providing that individual with benefits. This in turn requires the submission of a series of work history documents, including federal tax returns, W-2 forms, and a summary of all places of employment over the last decade. Finally, the SSA will need evidence that a claimant’s gross monthly income doesn’t exceed a certain threshold, which can be established through the submission of pay stubs, payroll slips, home mortgage records, checking account numbers, bank books, and insurance policies. Having these copies on hand can speed up the review process, so applicants can begin receiving benefits as soon as possible after filing. Schedule a Free Consultation with a Social Security Disability Benefits Attorney For help filing your own claim for SSDI benefits, please call dedicated Chicago attorney James R. Comerford at The Comerford Law Office, LLC. A member of our legal team can be reached by calling 312-863-8572 or via online message.