Veterans often wonder if they are eligible to receive benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and from Social Security at the same time. Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and Veterans benefits can be collected simultaneously and do not affect one another. A Veteran receiving compensation from the VA is also eligible to receive benefits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), depending on whether they meet the limited income and resources standards of Social Security.
How is a Veteran Eligible for Both?
Social Security awards SSDI benefits to people with severe medical conditions that are expected to last long-term and prevent them from performing work in any capacity. The medical condition must be severe enough to last a minimum of 12 months or result in death within one year. If a Veteran has become disabled due to an event in active service, they may meet the medical requirements necessary to qualify for SSDI. Veterans who are disabled for reasons outside of their time in combat can also earn SSDI benefits; SSDI does not require injury or illness caused by military service. However, to be approved for SSDI, Veterans must also have the work credits necessary under Social Security’s rules.
Generally, Social Security requires a person to have earned at least 40 work credits, 20 of which must have been earned within the last ten years. A Veteran who has met Social Security’s medical and non-medical standards has the highest chance of eligibility for Veterans’ compensation coupled with SSDI benefits. Veterans with a disability rating of 100% may even qualify for expedited claims.
Click the link below to take our short eligibility quiz and find out if you qualify for SSDI benefits!
Age, education, and work history are all determining factors in whether a person is considered eligible for SSD benefits. Veterans who do not meet the non-medical requirements but are on a limited income or qualify medically and need government assistance may be eligible to receive SSI benefits in addition to the compensation they get from the VA.
Please see the link below for more information on SSI qualifications.
SSDI & SSI Payments
Once someone is approved, monthly payments from Social Security can be directly deposited into the claimant’s bank account each month or mailed to the claimant in the form of a check. The claimant must call Social Security ahead of time or provide their banking information during the application process to have the benefits processed into their account automatically each month. VA compensation and disability benefits are entirely separate and will be processed depending on how the claimant wishes to receive them.
Additional Benefits
Veterans and their families may also qualify for Survivor’s Benefits, Retirement, and Medicare health coverage. TRICARE is a health care program for service members, retirees, and their family members and is available to those Veterans who qualify for Medicare. TRICARE is a program provided by the United States Department of Defense Military Health System and is not offered through the Social Security Administration.
Please see the links below for more information on Survivor’s Benefits & Medicare.
Why Choose Desert Disability®?
Desert Disability® is proud to serve our disabled Veterans and win them the benefits they deserve. All veterans who retain our services are entitled to 50% off the initial retainer fee. We look forward to providing our service members with extra care, and ensuring they are entitled to the compensation they have earned.
