Challenges with Veteran Benefits

Paul Sullivan, a New York Times personal financial author, recently wrote about the financial challenges faced by John Sanders, a disabled veteran. Sanders, a quadriplegic, continually struggles with the veteran disability benefits system on which he relies.  For example, the Veterans Administration initially denied Sanders’ application for voice-recognition software that would help him become more independent around his home. It was only with the help of friend who worked with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and after appealing the decision for almost a year, that Sanders finally received the software.

Overall, Sanders faces three principal financial concerns: understanding the veteran benefits process, managing the money he receives from his disability checks, and dealing with Florida’s rising home insurance costs.

While most of the challenges Sanders faces remain unresolved, he has learned that his best plan of action is to take control of his finances and stay up to date with the benefits system.

See Paul Sullivan, Navigating the Benefits Maze, N.Y. Times, Mar. 23, 2011.

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (WealthCounsel) for bringing this to my attention.