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Question:

My son is a United States Marine. He was wounded while in combat in Iraq. A Veteran’s Administration employee said that we should check with Social Security about benefits that my son may be entitled to receive. Can you elaborate on this?

Answer:

Military service members receive expedited processing of their disability applications from Social Security. In fact, under an agreement initiated by Social Security, the Department of Defense now transmits information to us that allows us to quickly identify military personnel injured in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The expedited process is available for any military service members who become disabled during active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.

Depending on the situation, some family members of military personnel also may be able to receive benefits, including dependent children and spouses. Find out more about what Social Security can do for you by visiting our website designed specifically for you: www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. There, you will find answers to a number of commonly asked questions, as well as other useful information about disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Please pay special attention to the fact sheets available on that website titled “Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors” and “Expediting Disability Applications for Wounded Warriors.” You will also find links to useful VA websites, such as the “Seamless Transition Home” link, and the “Veterans ONline APPlication” website. This Memorial Day, join Social Security as we honor those who gave their lives for our nation, and salute those who served as well as those who continue to serve.

Question:

I was at the pharmacy the other day. The older lady in front of me said something about paying a lot less for her prescriptions because of the help she receives from Medicare. My mother is on a tight income. She has Medicare but her medications are expensive. Where can I find out more about this help?

Answer:

People all over the country are helping their moms and loved ones save as much as $3,600 per year on the cost of prescription drugs. You can too. We all know the high cost of medicine can be a burden on mothers who have limited income and resources. There is extra help — available through Social Security — that could pay part of her monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. The extra help could be worth up of $3,600 per year. To figure out whether your mother is eligible, Social Security needs to know her income and the value of her savings, investments and real estate (other than the home she lives in). To qualify for the extra help, she must be receiving Medicare and also have limited income and resources. For example, the monthly income must be limited to $15,600 for an individual or $21,000 for a married couple living together. Even if her annual income is higher, she still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Some examples where income may be higher include if she or her spouse: support other family members who live with them; have earnings from work; or live in Alaska or Hawaii. There are also resource limits for the extra help. Resources must be limited to $11,990 for an individual or $23,970 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count her house and car as resources. Social Security has an easy-to-use online application that you can help complete for your mom. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov. To apply by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the “Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs.”

Oscar Garcia is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration. You can direct your questions to him at: SSA, 727 E. Durango Blvd, Room B701, San Antonio, Texas, 78206. You can also email him at oscar.h.garcia@ssa.gov