Social Security Administration Benefits What do I need to apply? You or your representative must provide proof of identity to include: Proof of age Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency, if foreign born DD Form 214, if discharged from the military service W-2 Form or income tax return from the previous year Military or worker’s compensation to include proof of payment Social Security numbers of your spouse and minor children Checking or saving account number, if you have one Name, address and phone number of a contact person, in case you are unavailable Medical records that you may have and/or that you can easily obtain from all military and civilian sources. Important:  File your application for disability benefits as soon as possible with available documentation.  Do not delay your filing because you do not have all of your documentation.   How does Social Security make a decision to pay a claim? Your claim is handled by the state Disability Determination Services (DDS) office that makes disability decisions.  Medical and vocational experts from the DDS will contact your physicians where you receive treatment, in order to retrieve your medical records.  The DDS may ask you to have an examination or medical test.  You will not have to pay for these exams or tests.   How long does it take for a decision? The length of time to receive a decision on your disability claim could vary.  It depends on:  The nature of your disability How quickly the DDS office obtains medical evidence from your doctor or medical sources Whether it is necessary to send you for a medical examination in order to obtain evidence to support your claim.   Social Security May Increase Soon March 9, 2016 Unfortunately, Social Security and Veteran's benefits are not being increased for 2016, which ultimately adds pressure on recipients who count on that income to survive. But a new bill sponsored by a Wisconsin Senator could change that by plugging some needed funding into those decreasing benefits. Senator Tammy Baldwin's bill is called “The Save Benefits Act.” Its goal is to immediately put about $600 extra dollars into retired folks, veterans and disabled recipient’s benefit funds. And for those on fixed incomes the bill is said to potentially make a big difference.

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What Every Veteran Should Carry                         No longer will you have to carry around your DD Form 214 as proof of your military service.  The Veteran ID Card will quickly establish you as a veteran, along with other essential benefits.  More... Veteran ID Card