This past Memorial Day, people in Alabama and across the country remembered and honored those in the military who have sacrificed for our nation. Veterans and current service members give so much to this country, and some even pay the ultimate sacrifice with their life. For those families who have experienced this and for those who have suffered other losses with an injury or illness due to military duty, Social Security benefits exist to help these people and their families. Depending on a family’s circumstances, there are benefits they would want to access based on their loved one’s military service.
The loss of a family member is difficult for anyone, especially for families in which a loved one was lost during military service. Social Security helps by providing benefits to protect service members’ dependents. Widows, widowers and their dependent children may be eligible for Social Security survivors’ benefits. There are also benefits available for those whose lives will never be the same after illness or injury due to military service impairs their ability to work and also to lead a normal life.
We do not want to forget these heroes, and thus it is also important to recognize those service members and veterans who are still with us, especially those who have been wounded. Just as they served us, this country has an obligation to serve them. Social Security disability benefits exist to protect veterans when an injury prevents them from returning to active duty or performing other work. Wounded service members can receive expedited service on their SSD claim. This is a huge benefit as the average civilian has quite a long wait time on their request.
A veteran can be injured in a number of ways during their time serving our nation. While we hope that this never happens to any service member, it does affect thousands and their families. That’s why these programs exist, to help take care of these hard-working people and their families. When they suffer a life-changing incident or injury, service members and their families have options to explore.