how to file for disability benefits in virginia

• By mail. File your claim by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ).
• In person. Bring your application to a VA regional office near you.
• With the help of a trained professional. You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help filing a claim for disability compensation.

What conditions qualify for VA disability benefits?

You may be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions such as:

• Chronic (long-lasting) back pain resulting in a current diagnosed back disability
• Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease
• Severe hearing loss
• Scar tissue
• Loss of range of motion (problems moving your body)
• Ulcers
• Cancers caused by contact with toxic chemicals or other dangers

Will I qualify for disability benefits in Virginia?

You may qualify for disability benefits in Virginia provided you meet all of the medical and non-medical qualifications of the Social Security Disability or SSI disability program. A claim for disability can be approved by satisfying the Social Security Administration of disability. This definition is substantially different than other disability benefit programs, such as long term disability ...

Where do I file for disability benefits?

• copies of CT scans, x-rays, and MRIs that show the extent of the spinal stenosis
• radiologists' reports that describe the findings from imaging studies
• records from any surgical attempts to relieve the symptoms (for example, decompression surgery)

More items...

Do you get a 1099 are for VA disability?

Tax-free disability benefits include: disability compensation and pension payments for disabilities paid either to veterans or their families. If you have taxable income from the VA, you will receive Form 1099-R referencing amounts for reporting for your federal income taxes.

What qualifies you for disability in Virginia?

In order to qualify for SSDI, an application must be made to the Social Security Administration that includes at least one serious physical or mental condition that either significantly affects normal activities of daily living, significantly affects the ability to do basic work activities, lasts at least one full year ...

How much do you get on disability in Virginia?

DSS sets a payment standard, subtracts the amount of the SSI and any countable income, and pays the balance to the individual as an auxiliary grant. In 2018, the payment standard is $1,223 per month for an individual. Recipients are also eligible to receive a personal needs allowance of $82 per month.

What are the easiest things to claim for VA disability?

According to a recent Veterans Administration report to Congress, the ten most commonly awarded medical conditions that are getting approved for benefits are as follows:Tinnitus.Limitation of flexion (knee)Hearing loss.Lumbosacral or cervical strain (back and neck strains)Limitation of arm motion.General scars.More items...•

What is the most approved disability?

1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.

How long does it take to get disability in Virginia?

about 3 to 5 monthsGenerally, it takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision. * How does Social Security make the decision? We send your application to a state agency that makes disability decisions.

Is it hard to get VA disability?

As you might expect, it is difficult to obtain a 100% VA disability rating with just one service-connected disability. Most veterans who receive a 100% rating have two or more disabling conditions. Often, these conditions have a secondary service connection.

Can you get VA disability without medical records?

If several attempts to find the missing medical evidence have failed, you can still win your VA disability case if you can find other evidence of the accident or treatment. The evidence in your file may show a sudden drop off in health or a leave from duty that can support your assertion that an event occurred.

What is the VA 5 year rule?

The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.

What to do if you don't live in the US?

or one of its territories, you can also contact your nearest Federal Benefits Unit that provides service to your country of residence. Apply for Disability Return to a Saved Application Check Application Status.

How old do you have to be to apply for disability?

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you: Are age 18 or older; Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death: and. Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days.

What is federal employee compensation?

Federal Employees' Compensation; State or local government disability insurance benefits; or. Disability benefits from the military (This includes military retirement pensions based on disability but not Veterans' Administration (VA) benefits.)

What is a copy of Social Security?

A copy of your Social Security Statement. The beginning and ending dates of any active U.S. military service you had before 1968. A list of the jobs (up to 5) that you had in the 15 years before you became unable to work and the dates you worked at those jobs.

How to file for disability?

Filing for disability. Social Security Disability and SSI disability claims may be initiated in three separate ways: 1) At a local Social Security office, 2) Online using the Social Security Administration website, or 3) Initated over the phone using the SSA teleclaims unit.

What does it mean to qualify for disability?

However, qualifying for disability also means that the claimant's condition must be severe enough that it prevents them from doing other types of work for which they might ordinarily be suited based on their age, education, skills, and functional limitations.

How long does it take to get a disability reconsideration?

Formally known as the request for reconsideration, it must be requested within 60 days of the date of denial of the disability application. In addition to the 60 days given for the official deadline, Social Security also gives claimants an additional 5 days for mailing time.

What does a disability examiner do?

The disability examiner will use the medical evidence with two goals in mind: The first is to determine whether a person may be approved on the basis of meeting or equaling a listing in the Social Security Disability list of impairments.

What is the biggest delay in disability?

The amount of time it takes to obtain medical records typically constitutes the single largest delay on any disability claim, which underscores the importance of proving full and detailed information concerning the history of medical treatment. Who makes the disability determination.

How long does it take to get medical records from Social Security?

The medical records may take several weeks, or in some cases months, to receive.

Is a disability examiner a federal employee?

However, unlike disability examiners (who are actually state, not federal, employees) who have their decisions on cases subject to the involvement of others, such as their immediate supervisors and internal and external quality control, judges are completely independent.

What is the federal government's assistance program for disabled people?

For those who become disabled and are no longer able to work, the federal government offers two programs to provide assistance: Social Security disability insurance (SSDI), for those who have worked and paid into the Social Security system, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), for those who have below a certain income.

How long does it take to get a disability hearing in Virginia?

In Virginia, there is a long wait time for a hearing, however: 15 months on average. Stage of Application.

How to apply for vocational services in Virginia?

To apply for vocational services, call the toll-free number or e-mail DRS. The contact information is below. Telephone: 800-552-5019. E-mail: [email protected]. You can also go to your local DRS office. There are 38 local DRS offices throughout Virginia.

How many hearing offices are there in Virginia?

There are four hearing offices in Virginia, as well as one in D.C. and one in Morgantown, West Virginia, that service a few Social Security field offices in Virginia.

What is vocational rehabilitation in Virginia?

Vocational Rehabilitation Services. After a disability, there is often a need for help to return to work. In Virginia, the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) is there to assist individuals to prepare to return to work, find a job, and keep that job. To apply for vocational services, call the toll-free number or e-mail DRS.

What is an auxiliary grant?

Called an auxiliary grant, the supplement is administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services. The amount of the auxiliary grant, which must be used to pay for assisted living or adult foster care, varies by county.

What is unemployment compensation in Virginia?

Unemployment compensation is a state-run program in Virginia that can help workers after a short-term disability who lose their jobs or quit because of their medical condition – once they recover. People from private industry dealing with non-occupational accidents or injuries must wait until they meet three critical criteria.

What is SSI disability?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) covers disabled adults and children who have limited earnings and resources. Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) pays claims to you and some family members if you worked long enough and paid FICA taxes.

How long is the VSDP?

[1] Temporary: commence after a 7-day waiting period and continue for a maximum of 125 days, and replaces up to 100% of income based on service time.

Can you get short term disability in Virginia?

Short-Term Disability in Virginia. Applying for short-term disability benefits (under 12 months) in Virginia can be successful only if you have coverage in force before becoming sick, hurt, or pregnant. You could fall into one of three categories based on where you work, and what caused your medical problem.

Does VSDP cover off-the-job conditions?

State employees have automatic coverage for non-occupational (off-the-job) conditions through VSDP. Public and private employees have involuntary coverage for occupational (on-the-job) maladies via Worker’s Compensation. People working in private industry must proactively purchase coverage well before an off-the-job loss occurs.

Can you leave work for a good cause VA?

Actively seeking a new job. On the other hand, VA unemployment law allows people to leave work voluntarily for a good cause reason if their health or physical condition made the work unsuitable.

Does VSDP cover private industry?

Long-term: starts after the expiration of the temporary benefits and replace 60% of income until death or receipt of retirement payout. VSDP does not cover workers in private industry who pay the taxes funding these plans. It covers only the public employees actively participating in one of these related programs.

You can still file a claim and apply for benefits during the coronavirus pandemic

Get the latest information about in-person services, claim exams, extensions, paperwork, decision reviews and appeals, and how best to contact us during this time. Go to our coronavirus FAQs

What evidence will I need to provide to support my claim?

You can help to support your VA disability claim by providing documents, such as:

Should I submit an intent to file form?

If you plan to file for disability compensation using a paper form, you may want to submit an intent to file form first. This can give you the time you need to gather your evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date).

What happens after I file my VA disability claim?

You don’t need to do anything while you’re waiting unless we send you a letter asking for more information. If we schedule exams for you, be sure not to miss them.

More information about filing disability claims

Learn about standard claims, supplemental claims, secondary claims, and more.

What is the approval rate for reconsideration appeals in Virginia?

The approval rate for reconsideration appeals in Virginia is 14.1%, meaning that Virginia still denies about 85.1% of these appeals. If your reconsideration appeal is denied, you can appeal the decision with a Request for an Administrative Law Judge Review, a.k.a. a Social Security Disability hearing.

Why is reconsideration denied?

It stands to reason that most reconsideration appeals are denied when you consider that the same rules and guidelines are being used. The initial disability examiner would have to have made an error in the first determination, or there must be new and convincing medical evidence to support a finding of disability.

What is the approval rate for disability hearings in Virginia?

The approval rate for disability hearings in Virginia is nearly 60%. However, this is an aggregate statistic. The rate of approval for claimants who are children is probably much lower ...

Can I get disability in Virginia?

You may qualify for disability benefits in Virginia provided you meet all of the medical and non-medical qualifications of the Social Security Disability or SSI disability program. A claim for disability can be approved by satisfying the Social Security Administration of disability. This definition is substantially different than other disability ...

Is SSDRC a SSA website?

For the sake of clarity, SSDRC.com is not the Social Security Administration, nor is it associated or affiliated with SSA. This site is a personal, private website that is published, edited, and maintained by former caseworker and former disability claims examiner, Tim Moore, who was interviewed by the New York Times on the topic ...

Can a disabled person work but still earn income?

Individuals who are disabled but still manage to work and earn a substantial income will be denied for earnings. In the case of claims taken for children, the child's ability or inability to engage in age-appropriate activities will be used in place of evaluating work activity or the potential to engage in work activity . ...