Author Archives: Jay Butchko
VA Benefit Claims Updates For 2023
As we head into 2024, you may wonder about the progress of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Due to the PACT Act, which expanded health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances such as burn pits and Agent Orange, veterans have filed for benefits at the highest rates ever — exceeding… Read More »
More Employees Suffering Workplace Illnesses And Injuries
When the COVID pandemic came to the United States in March 2020, it forced a lot of companies to work from home and help prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Having workers at home also reduced the risk of workplace injuries. Many companies started mandating return to work last year. As the number… Read More »
Veterans Ordered To Repay VA In Overpayments
Veterans are often worried about getting benefit checks from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, many veterans are facing another issue: being ordered to repay five or six figures. That’s right — Thousands of low-income veterans are being told that they were overpaid in their pension payments and now they need to pay… Read More »
How Employers Can Promote Workplace Safety
Nobody wants to work in an unsafe environment, but safety is not always a priority for employers. Millions of workplace accidents happen every year in the United States. While accidents are decreasing, they can still happen. Employers need to be mindful of this. Not only are employees paying the cost with injuries and disabilities,… Read More »
Filipino Veterans Could Get Benefits Under New Bill
When it comes to veterans benefits, there’s not a lot of fairness. Everything should be equal when it comes to who gets what, but the truth is that there is a lot of discrimination in the Department of Veterans Affairs. For example, there is racial discrimination. The Filipino veterans who fought with American troops… Read More »
Backlog Hits SSA, 1 Million People Waiting For Benefits
Are you disabled and waiting for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits? If so, you’re not alone. Estimates show that more than 1 million Americans are waiting for their benefits to be approved. That’s a huge number. In fact, this is a record, the most ever. It currently takes the Social Security Administration (SSA)… Read More »
Can You Get Food Stamps If You Get SSDI?
If you are struggling financially due to disability or some other reason, there are programs that can help. You can receive benefits or even free items to help you get through tough economic times. Those who are disabled rely on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These benefits are given to those who have a… Read More »
SSA Makes Overpayments, Demands Money Back
When a person is disabled, they can receive Social Security Disability payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Getting these benefits is a difficult task, often taking longer than a year. Once people are approved for these benefits, they are ecstatic. They start paying their bills and other expenses. But last year, the SSA… Read More »
Mental Health Issues Now #1 Workplace Injury
If you’ve ever held down a job, you know that work can be very stressful. But how bad is it really? Apparently, chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout are so pervasive nowadays that mental health issues are now considered to be the top injury in the workplace. Toxic workplaces are no longer just a buzzword;… Read More »
Healthcare For LGBTQ+ Veterans
Veterans are offered many healthcare benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). One unique benefit of VA Albany is that employees are trained on how to coordinate care for LGBTQ+ veterans. The care coordinators are fully equipped to support the health, welfare, and dignity of these veterans and their families. LGBTQ+ veterans face… Read More »