December 3rd: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

First proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) in 1992, December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The observance promotes understanding of disability issues and raises support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. A fully detailed description of the UN resolution is available here.

Closer to Home

In the United States, there are two primary sources of financial support available to persons with disabilities: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits:

• The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides SSDI to workers with medical issues who are unable to work. To receive SSDI, applicants must be totally disabled. While the SSA considers a range of conditions, applicants must prove they will be out of work for over one year—or that their condition “will result in death.”
• The VA provides disability benefits to military veterans who have been disabled during active duty. They examine military service medical records and base determinations solely on illnesses and injuries which occurred during active duty. Benefits are based on severity, with an assigned disability rating of 0-100%.

Comparing SSDI and VA Benefits

SSDI and VA Disability differ not only in scope, but in how the two programs are funded. The former is a tax-funded insurance program paid into by workers under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and Self-Employment Contributions Act. The latter, in contrast, is not considered an insurance program. Rather, it is not funded by taxes paid by military personnel, but is funded through the VA itself.

We Can Help.

If you are disabled and unable to work, contact Daggett Shuler Law for help. An experienced disability attorney can handle all of the paperwork and details necessary to work to secure the disability benefits you may deserve.

If you have questions about disability benefits, or if your claim has been denied, call Daggett Shuler at 336-724-1234. When you call, you will speak with a North Carolina Disability Attorney absolutely FREE. We will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you and fight hard to secure the benefits you may deserve. 

Daggett Shuler Law – You Can Depend on Us.