VA & Social Security Disability Insurance Screenings At Tradewinds Park, Saturday, Nov. 12
Allsup sponsors the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Broward County’s Walk for Mental Health
Belleville, Ill. — Nov. 1, 2016 — Allsup, a nationwide provider of veterans disability appeals and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representation, will provide program eligibility screenings and resources during the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, Saturday, Nov. 12.
Scheduled the day after Veterans Day, the event raises funds for mental health education and support programs in Broward County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 28% of of the 556,000 thousand veterans living in Florida have a disability (compared to 14% of non-veteran Florida residents). Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in the U.S.
“It’s fitting to offer these screenings on the heels of Veterans Day, at an event raising awareness of mental health issues,” said Allsup Veterans Disability Appeal Service® and VA-accredited Claims Agent Brett Buchanan. “Post traumatic stress disorder is the third most common service-connected disability among current VA disability recipients.
“The medical and military communities are learning more every day about the long-term effects of psychological traumas, such as military sexual trauma,” Buchanan said. “Veterans who have been denied VA benefits or received a rating they believe is too low can appeal and benefit from more experienced and informed decision makers.”
He added that veterans often have medically complex issues. In addition to psychiatric conditions, they may have orthopedic conditions, cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. If their disabilities are so severe that they cannot work, they may also be eligible for SSDI benefits.
The VA disability appeals and SSDI application processes can be daunting. Both programs have millions of backlogged claims. Some applicants are waiting two to seven years for benefits. Getting approved for one program does not mean an individual will automatically get approved for the other. Getting expert representation increases the chances of being approved for benefits sooner.
Allsup handles both VA disability appeals and SSDI claims, providing veterans who are eligible for both programs an efficient option for expert help and representation. Screening for program eligibility is the first step in the application process.
If they can’t attend the Nov. 12 event, veterans and others who have questions about SSDI can access Allsup’s dual purpose online tool empower by Allsup®, to learn their likelihood of qualifying for benefits. Veterans can get started with their disability appeal by taking a Free SSDI Assessment.
More information on NAMIWalks Broward County is at NAMIBroward.org.