Gillette Law - November 2018

HELP FOR VETERANS

As we honor our nation’s veterans this month, our firm would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. Our country owes you an incredible debt of gratitude. Thank you for your service. As a law office that frequently assists disabled veterans in navigating the SSD and SSDI systems, we know how difficult service injuries can make civilian life. That’s why we want to draw your attention today to a benefits program run through the VA that can provide much- needed relief when your service disabilities make gainful employment impossible: Individual Unemployability benefits. What Are IU Benefits? Individual Unemployability (IU) is a portion of the VA’s disability compensation program that acknowledges some wounds are more than the sum of their parts. Under this program, you can qualify for full benefits even if the VA has not rated you 100 percent disabled. IU is not a handout; it’s fair compensation for the mental and physical impairments you received while protecting your country.

You must be a veteran

• You must have at least one service-connected disability rated at least 60 percent, or two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one disability ratable at 40 percent or more for a combined rating of 70 percent or more. • You must be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities (marginal employment, such as odd jobs, is not considered substantial gainful employment for VA purposes). You will also be required to provide evidence of the service-connected disabilities you are claiming and show that they are sufficient to keep you from working “without regard to other factors.” How do I Apply? If you feel you meet the requirements for IU benefits, there are multiple avenues to apply. You can visit www. ebenefits.va.gov and submit a request for disability compensation. You can also work with an accredited VA representative or agent (a database of these qualified representatives can be found at va.gov/ ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp) . Finally, you can simply visit your VA regional office and ask an employee for assistance. If your application for Individual Unemployability is denied, we would be happy to talk with you about how we may be able to help!

Do I Qualify? In order to receive IU benefits, the VA requires you meet the following criteria:

DAD

JOKE

OLD BAY® HOT CRAB DIP

Q: What sound does a turkey’s phone make? A: Wing! Wing!

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened • 1 cup mayonnaise • 2 teaspoons OLD BAY® Seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Mustard, ground • 1 pound lump crab meat • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, Old Bay Seasoning, and ground mustard in a medium bowl until well blended. Add crab meat and toss gently. 2. Spread in shallow 1.5-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and additional Old Bay Seasoning if desired. 3. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with assorted crackers or sliced French bread.

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