| Description |
1 online resource (iv, 71 p.) : ill. |
| Note |
Title from PDF title caption (GAO, viewed Jan. 22, 2010). |
|
"September 2009." |
| File Type |
Text in PDF format. |
| Summary |
Disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be an important source of financial support for some wounded warriors, and Congress has mandated that the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) help them learn about and apply for such benefits. GAO was asked to determine: (1) how many wounded warriors have applied and been approved for SSA benefits and the extent to which they are receiving benefits from across the three agencies; (2) what steps DOD, VA, and SSA have taken to inform wounded warriors about SSA benefits, and the challenges that confront this process; and (3) steps taken by all three agencies to facilitate the processing of wounded warrior disability claims. Focusing on those wounded since 2001, GAO reviewed policy documents, contacted DOD and VA medical facilities, surveyed wounded warriors, and analyzed administrative data. GAO recommends that SSA move ahead with its consideration of a legislative proposal on retroactive benefits, VA work with SSA to improve outreach to veterans on SSA benefits, and DOD work with SSA to meet SSA's need for timely medical records. In their comments on our draft report, SSA and VA agreed with our findings and recommendations and noted actions they plan to take to address our recommendations. DOD did not provide formal comments. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-09-762." |
| Subject |
United States. Social Security Administration.
|
|
Disability insurance claims -- United States.
|
|
Disabled veterans -- Services for -- United States.
|
|
United States. Social Security Administration. |
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Social Security -- economics -- United States -- Statistics. |
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Veterans Disability Claims -- organization and administration -- United States -- Statistics. |
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Interinstitutional Relations -- United States. |
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Veterans -- United States. |
| Added Author |
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means. Subcommittee on Social Security.
|
| Added Title |
Additional outreach and collaboration on sharing medical records would improve wounded warriors' access to benefits |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-09-762 |
|
