There are two major programs for disabled Veterans to receive assistance with modifying or obtaining a home to accommodate their service-connected disability.
HEARINGS WITH SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE TIME OF A PANDEMIC
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all departments of the Social Security Administration, including the ability to hold in person hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Since April, the Office of Hearing Operations has been holding hearings via telephone for those that have the capability to do so. The hearing office and local Social Security offices have been closed to employees and the public since April. The telephone hearings have assisted in preventing a delay of claims.
VA Using Technology to Speed Mail Processing Times
The Veterans Benefits Administration ("VBA") has long been known for inefficiency and delay in their processing of claims, appeals, and correspondence from Veterans. VBA currently processes mail manually when it is submitted to VA for association with claims and appeals files. However, now VBA is beginning to use Artificial Intelligence to sort mail more quickly and have it associated with claims more efficiently.
Contamination at K2 - Part 2
Contamination at K2 - Part 1
The View from a Military Spouse
This blog was written by Jan Lipske, VA legal assistant at Gardberg and Kemmerly:
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, even in a pandemic
This year, I am the Chair for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event. The Making Strides for Breast Cancer Board is comprised of people from all over South Alabama. Each of us have different jobs, different interests and different lifestyles. But what we do have in common is the drive to help in any way to find a cure for breast cancer. Many of us on the board have been personally touched by breast cancer - some of the board members are survivors, some of the board members are family members of a survivor, and some of the board members have lost loved ones to breast cancer. A huge part of finding a cure, is raising money for research and resources.
IN AND OUT OF THE OFFICE: THE DIFFERENCE YOU CAN MAKE
This year I took some time off from the board of Making Strides and the American Cancer Society, but boy, do I miss it! I was the Chair for the past 2 years for the Making Strides walk here in Mobile, AL. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk of South Alabama is a walk to raise funds to end the fight against breast cancer. The American Cancer Society and their committee consists of men and women in all avenues of life who have come together to make this walk successful. We have so many people who have been touched by breast cancer, both survivors and fighters, friends, and family right here in our city. The walk is vital to the future of those who face this disease.
Economic Impact Payment Update
The IRS has announced that the deadline to use the non-filers tool to obtain the Economic Impact Payments is October 15, 2020. Economic Impact Payment is the official name for the stimulus payments that were made available under the CARES Act to help compact the economic impact of COVID-19. The IRS has stated that most eligible U.S. tax payers should automatically receive their Economic Impact Payment. Those who should have automatically received their Economic Impact Payment include:
AVOIDING PITFALLS BEFORE A HEARING
These are a few simple things people need to know before they get a Social Security hearing. I have worked in Social Security law for almost 20 years - there is a lot of information that is needed before having a hearing date. These are the top 3 things to consider before a hearing:
