Veterans benefits are one thing that should be extremely easy to get for those who have served our country, but a report by the Center for Investigative Reporting finds that the average wait time for veterans in rural areas tend to have their benefits granted much quicker than those in big cities. Time Magazine pointed out that vets in cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and New York face long waits.
While it may not be easy living with mental illness, people who have diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can get help from by applying for benefits with the Social Security Administration. Whether in the Chicagoland area or anywhere in the country, people with these disability qualifying conditions should look to apply with the SSA for some help.
Perhaps due to awareness of illnesses, the Department of Veterans Affairs said the number of former service members has risen by a third over the past five years, but are there enough veterans benefits for mental healthcare to go around? NPR said the agency is trying to boost funding and standards, but it may still be lacking in mental health care for the men and women returning home.
For soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Social Security Administration is making sure those affected by a rare lung disease can move ahead on the list if they display disability qualifying conditions stemming from burn pits and fires, according to Army Times. This “compassionate allowance” may help speed up the benefit process and get these veterans the help they need in procuring money while they cannot work.
