Most disabled vets know that they’re entitled to VA healthcare services, whether that means treatment for their service-connected conditions or broader healthcare services. But many don’t know about or don’t take advantage of the transportation benefits that can help a veteran get to and from medical appointments, testing, and hospitals.
What is the Transportation Program (VTP)?
The VTP provides assistance for veterans to and from VA healthcare facilities and other VA-authorized medical appointments. The exact details of the options available and eligibility vary depending on location. So, the best source of detailed information about the options available for you is the VA facility or authorized facility you need to visit.
Here’s an overview of the services available.
Veterans Transportation Service (VTS)
VTS is a network of transportation providers and options coordinated by the VA and a variety of organizations and governmental entities that serve veterans. VTS transports veterans to and from medical facilities in multi-passenger vans. You can find the nearest VTS office here.
Travel Reimbursement
The VA also offers eligible veterans and caretakers reimbursement for mileage or for travel expenses. To qualify, a veteran must be traveling to a VA healthcare facility or a VA-authorized appointment at another facility and meet one of a long list of other criteria, including traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition, having a VA disability rating of at least 30%, being unable to afford transportation for medical care, receiving a VA pension, meeting income requirements, or traveling for certain specifically listed purposes.
VA disability benefits, including healthcare, monetary compensation, and assistance in traveling to and from medical appointments provide an important safety net for veterans who are partly or totally disabled. It’s important to ensure that you’re familiar with all of the VA benefits available to you. It’s also important to be aware that you may qualify for other types of benefits, such as Social Security disability (SSD). Many disabled veterans are eligible to receive both veterans disability benefits and SSD at the same time, which can significantly increase the total benefits received. Whether you’re applying for or appealing a denial of VA disability benefits or SSD, or are receiving VA disability benefits and want to pursue SSD, the advocates at Disability Help Group are here to support you with our extensive knowledge and experience. To learn more about how we can help, call 800-800-3332 right now, or fill out our contact form here.
Some disabilities are so severe that you have no choice but to stop working immediately. Sometimes, the progression is more complex. Perhaps your doctor has told you that it’s not safe for you to continue in your job with your medical condition, but you’re still pushing through because your paycheck is your only source of income to cover your basic needs. Or maybe you are able to work, but only part-time or sporadically.
This can be a Catch-22 for someone who wants to apply for SSD benefits. Here’s what you need to know about working and applying for SSD.
Does Working Disqualify You from Receiving SSD Benefits?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as being unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) due to your medical condition or conditions. In 2024, the monthly SGA amount is $1,550. That means if you’re able to earn at least $1,550 (before taxes) each month, the SSA doesn’t consider you disabled. The cut-off is increased to $2,590/month for a blind applicant.
If you’re only able to work a little and your earnings are below the SGA level, you may still qualify for SSD benefits. But if you’re earning above the SGA cut-off, you are engaging in substantial gainful activity. By the SSA’s definition, that means you’re not disabled. If you tried to go back to work after you became disabled and couldn’t sustain it, you may still qualify for SSD. But, your case will be more complicated.
Working While on SSD
The SSA offers people receiving disability benefits the opportunity to attempt to go back to work without losing benefits. If you’re going to attempt to work while on SSD, you must understand exactly how the program works. Any month in which you earn above a certain threshold is considered a “trial work” month. In 2024, the cut-off is $1,110/month.
If you accrue nine of those in any 5-year period, you enter an extended period of eligibility (EPE). The EPE can last up to 36 months, but if you exceed the SGA threshold, you will no longer be considered disabled.
Applying for SSD Benefits While Working
If you returned to work after becoming disabled but were unable to continue, or you are currently working and want to pursue SSD benefits, it’s in your best interest to consult an experienced SSD benefits advocate right away. At Disability Help Group, our advocates have extensive experience with the sometimes-complex formulas and assessments the SSA applies and can help you assess your eligibility and construct the strongest possible application. If you’ve been denied because you were engaging in SGA but are no longer able to do so, we can assist with your appeal or–if too much time has passed to appeal–the re-application process. To learn more, call us right now at 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form.
Sleep apnea isn’t listed in the Social Security Blue Book, meaning there’s no set list of criteria to tell a person suffering from this condition whether the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider them disabled. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get SSD benefits in connection with sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
This is a medical condition that causes people to stop breathing temporarily while sleeping. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when airways are blocked during sleep. Another type, central sleep apnea, is far less common. With this type of condition, breathing stops because the brain isn’t sending the right message. There’s also a third type that occasionally emerges as a result of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
Receiving SSD for Sleep Apnea and Resulting Conditions
One way someone suffering from this condition may qualify for SSD benefits would be if the condition triggered or worsened a condition that is listed in the Blue Book. For example, there is a Blue Book listing for “vascular insult to the brain,” which includes stroke. If you’ve had a stroke triggered by sleep apnea and meet the Blue Book criteria, you may be eligible for SSD. Similarly, cardiovascular disorders resulting from or made worse by this condition may qualify you.
If you don’t meet the criteria for a listed condition, you may still be eligible for disability benefits for this condition, or for a combination of conditions that includes sleep apnea. To determine whether or not you are disabled by non-listed conditions, the SSA assesses “residual functional capacity.” In simple terms, that’s the work you still have the capacity to do even considering your medical limitations.
To make this determination, the SSA uses a grid that takes into account your age, your educational level, the skill level of your past employment, and whether you have skills that are transferable to work you can do with your medical limitations.
Sleep Apnea SSD Claims Aren’t Simple
With no Blue Book listing and a range of possibly-connected disorders that may or may not have their own listings, the success or failure of your claim for SSD benefits may hinge on how your claim is presented and whether you’ve assembled the right evidence.
At Disability Help Group, our advocates have a solid understanding of what the SSA is looking for and how to put together the strongest claim possible. To learn more about how we can help, call (800) 800-3332 right now, or contact us here now.
SSD isn’t need-based, and the amount of benefits you receive each month depends on your past earnings. That means people across a broad income spectrum receive SSD. Some may have pensions or investment income in addition to their SSD checks, or own significant property. Others may be completely or mostly dependent on their SSD income. In January of 2024, the average SSD monthly benefit was $1,537.03.
Fortunately, other types of assistance, including housing assistance, may be available to SSD recipients.
Does the SSA Offer Housing Assistance?
The SSA doesn’t directly offer housing assistance. However, the SSA’s determination that you are disabled may qualify you for other types of housing assistance.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers information about disability rights in housing–both the right to be free from discrimination and what type of accessibility accommodations are required. Hud also has two programs to make housing more available to low-income households that include a disabled adult.
Both of these programs fall under Section 811. The programs are similar, and allow the disabled person and their household to choose among participating rental options that have available space. However, income limits differ. Housing under one program is available only to extremely low-income households, meaning that their household income is at or below 30% of the median income in the area. The other accepts very low-income households, who may have earnings up to 50% of the median.
While the HUD programs are the most widespread, your state or even local government may have additional assistance available for people with disabilities. In other words, while the SSA itself doesn’t offer housing assistance, there is housing assistance available to those who have been determined disabled and have low income.
Get Help with Your SSD Claim
Managing an SSD claim and other issues such as finding the right housing assistance can be overwhelming. One of the best things you can do for yourself as an SSD applicant is to get knowledgeable help with your SSD application. Working with an experienced disability advocate not only takes some of the pressure off, but can also prevent innocent mistakes and omissions that could seriously delay your claim.
Call us today at (800) 800-8992 or fill out our contact form here to learn more about how we can help.
If you’re applying for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits, you may know that getting approved can be an uphill battle. While the numbers differ a little from year to year and state to state, well over half of SSD applications are denied on initial consideration. That means most will have to start winding their way through the SSD appeals process.
The further into the SSD appeals process you get, the more complicated the procedures. For example, if your request for reconsideration fails (as most do), you move on to a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). The earlier in the process, you get an experienced disability advocate on your side, the better. But, the internet is a sea of options. How do you know who to work with?
What to Consider in a Social Security Disability Advocate
There are several factors to consider when choosing an SSD benefits advocate. Some are general and some may be specific to your circumstances. Some key considerations include:
Experience. One of the key benefits of working with an SSD advocate is that an experienced advocate will know the process inside out and will have a thorough understanding of the criteria, what type of evidence the Social Security Administration (SSA) is looking for, and how best to present it. Make sure your advocate has that experience.
Specifics. Confidence is great, but it’s not enough. Don’t let an advocate slide by with generalities about how confident they are and how many successes they’ve had. Ask questions about what they see as the strengths and weaknesses of your specific claim and what they can do to give you the best chance of approval.
Knowledge of your case type. Some types of SSD claims are more common than others. If you have a non-listed condition, a mix of several conditions, a special circumstance that might qualify you to have your case fast-tracked, make sure your advocate knows how to handle your type of claim.
Accessibility. Skills and knowledge are critical, but it’s also important that you feel comfortable talking with your advocate, asking questions, and sharing personal information. Choose someone who listens to your questions and takes the time to explain in a way that’s easy to understand.
Start with a Free Disability Case Review
When you schedule a free case review with Disability Help Group, you’ll get more than an assessment of your claim. You’ll also get the opportunity to talk with us and ask questions about our qualifications, experience, and commitment to helping you get the benefits you deserve.
Schedule your free case review now by calling (800) 800-3332 right now, or contact us here now.
