Wounded Warrior Program: Expedited Social Security Disability Process for Military Personnel and Veterans

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a special process that speeds up Social Security Disability (SSDI) applications for certain military service personnel and veterans.

You are eligible for this expedited process if you became disabled while on active military duty on or after October 1, 2001. It doesn’t matter where you were when you became disabled, and your condition doesn’t have to be related to your military service.

Service members who were on active duty when the disability began and who have a compensation rating of 100% Permanent and Total may be eligible for the expedited process.

The SSA defines those on active duty as:

• Full-time service members in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard – including those on active duty for training.
• Army or Air Force National Guard who were ordered to active full-time duty during a war or other national emergency.
• Students at pre-deployment training facilities and in U.S. military academies.
• Reservists called to active duty, undergoing full-time and annual training, and those attending a military service school.

Note: The disability benefits that are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs are distinct from SSDI benefits with a separate application process.

Applying for the Wounded Warrior Expedited Process

Applications can be made while in military status or after discharge, and in a rehabilitation facility or when hospitalized.

When applying for SSDI, identify yourself as eligible for the Wounded Warrior program and tell the SSA that you were on active duty when your disability began. Your application will be labeled “Military Casualty/Wounded Warrior” and will be accelerated through the approval process as a “critical case.”

We would be happy to help you apply for SSDI, as it is a complex process. Our expertise can help you navigate through the application steps and gain the best outcome for you and your family.

To learn more about this special process, reference the SSA’s Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors brochure as well as their informational website for Wounded Warriors and Veterans.

Let Us Help You Apply for SSDI or Appeal an SSDI Denial

If you or a loved one has been denied Worker’s Compensation or Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits, it’s important to get an attorney experienced in these types of cases involved immediately. Call 800.438.7734 for your initial free consultation, either in our office or in the comfort of your own home. The Kenton Koszdin Law Office, Social Security attorney in Van Nuys, can help you navigate the application process for the best possible outcome for you and your family.