Can I Get Both SSD And Veterans Disability Benefits?
Yes, you can get both Social Security and VA disability benefits. Disabled veterans often apply for both types of benefits. However, there are differences between Social Security and VA disability benefits. Your VA payments do not reduce your SSDI check, and your SSDI does not reduce your VA compensation.
VA Disability vs. Social Security Disability at a Glance
| VA disability compensation | SSDI | SSI | |
| Who it’s for | Veterans with a service-connected condition | Workers who paid Social Security taxes | People with very limited income and assets |
| Partial disability? | Yes, rated 0% to 100% in 10% steps | No, you must be unable to work | No, you must be unable to work |
| Can you work? | Yes, unless you receive TDIU | Only below $1,770 a month in 2027 | Earnings reduce the payment |
| Affected by VA pay? | No | No | Yes, reduced almost dollar for dollar |
| Taxed? | No, tax-free | Can be, depending on total income | No |
Social Security vs. Veterans Disability Benefits
Social Security has two types of disability benefits. Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI) require that you have worked. Unlike SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits don’t require that you’ve worked. However, you must meet certain financial requirements. The VA offers veterans disability benefits only for individuals who have served in the armed forces.
SSDI and SSI have the same definition of disability. You must have medical conditions that keep you from working. You must be unable to work for at least 12 months. Social Security doesn’t award partial disability. VA disability requires that your medical conditions are connected to your service. Unlike Social Security, VA disability does award partial disability benefits. VA disability compensation rates range from 10-100%, in 10% increments. See our VA disability compensation rates guide for current amounts.
Social Security disability insurance benefits or SSDI require that you have worked and earned enough work credits. You receive work credits each year that you work and pay taxes. Generally, you need 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you became disabled. Younger workers may qualify with fewer.
As mentioned, SSDI requires that you earn a certain amount of work credits to qualify. Therefore, there are no limits to the amount of assets, cash or other resources you own. For example, VA disability benefits will not keep you from receiving SSDI benefits. Additionally, they will not reduce your SSDI benefits.
Can I work and receive Social Security or VA Veterans disability benefits?
If you are working, you may not qualify for Social Security disability. Social Security considers work earnings over a certain amount “substantial gainful activity” or SGA. If you earn over the SGA limit, you will not qualify for Social Security disability. For 2027, SGA is $1,770 per month or more before taxes ($2,950 if you’re blind). You can still qualify for Social Security disability benefits if you earn less than SGA. However, any work may make it harder for Social Security to approve your claim. Unlike Social Security, veterans can work while receiving VA disability benefits unless they receive Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU.)
Active duty status or receipt of military pay doesn’t necessarily keep you from receiving SSDI. Social Security evaluates your work activity to figure out your eligibility. You can apply while in a rehabilitation program or attending outpatient programs. It doesn’t matter whether your treatment is in a VA hospital or civilian facility. If you are on limited duty or working in a designated therapy program, you should definitely apply for SSDI.
Do my VA Veterans disability benefits affect my Social Security disability?
VA disability benefits don’t affect your SSDI payments. You can receive both VA and SSDI payments at the same time. However, VA benefits will reduce your SSI payments. SSA considers VA benefits as “unearned income.” Social Security will deduct unearned income on a dollar-for-dollar basis except for a $20 exclusion. In other words, Social Security reduces your SSI benefits by the amount of your VA payments. The maximum federal SSI payment for an individual is $1,029 a month in 2027, so a veteran with a moderate VA rating will often receive little or no SSI. Learn more about the difference between SSI and SSDI.
Social Security and the VA follow different rules. Getting approved by one agency doesn’t guarantee approval by the other, but a 100% P&T VA rating can speed up your SSDI claim (see below). However, Social Security considers evidence from the VA. Similarly, the VA considers your Social Security records. The VA and Department of Defense (DOD) share medical records electronically with Social Security.
Expedited Social Security disability claims for veterans
Fortunately, Social Security can fast-track certain cases for veterans by expediting the process for veterans with a 100% VA rating. You should identify as a “Veteran rated 100% P&T” when filing your application. You should also provide your VA rating notification letter. Additionally, Social Security fast-tracks cases for Wounded Warriors who became disabled while on active duty on or after October 1, 2001. You don’t need to have been injured during combat operations. You should tell Social Security that your injuries happened while on active duty.
Faster processing is not the same as automatic approval. Social Security still makes its own decision. Read more about faster SSDI claims for 100% P&T veterans.
Social Security application process
Firstly, Social Security considers their listing of impairments, known as the Blue Book. Secondly, the Blue Book has very specific medical requirements. Thirdly, it can be very difficult to meet one of the listings. Finally, Social Security considers your residual functional capacity or RFC. An RFC includes both physical and mental limitations.
- Social Security looks at your medical evidence to figure out your RFC.
- If they need more information about your conditions, they may send you to a consultative exam with an independent doctor that Social Security pays for.
SSDI “Grid Rules”
Social Security has special disability rules the older you are. They look at a chart known as the Medical-Vocational guidelines to evaluate your claim called the “grid rules.” The grid rules make it easier for older people to win their case. Social Security considers your age, education and work background. The older you are, the easier it can be to win your case. However, the VA doesn’t consider your age. Therefore, an approval from SSA doesn’t guarantee a 100% VA rating. Learn more about the over 55 grid rules.
For example, John, a 53 year old veteran, applied for disability due to arthritis in his knees. John underwent a total knee replacement but continued to have pain and swelling in both knees. He previously worked in a factory. John received most of his treatment at the VA hospital. His medical records included MRIs and x-rays of his knees. His doctors also documented that he required the use of a cane due to his symptoms. Social Security found that he could not return to work in the factory. Since he’s over 50, limited to sedentary work, and has no skills that transfer to other work, the grid rules direct Social Security to approve his claim.
What medical evidence do veterans need for SSDI?
Your medical evidence should cover the period from when you became unable to work to the present. Your treatment should also be continuous and ongoing. Social Security also considers any treatment veterans receive from civilian doctors. Medical evidence can include:
- Treatment notes and physical examinations
- Imaging such as MRIs, x-rays, CT scans or nerve testing
- Blood work or biopsy results
- Pulmonary tests
- Mental health records
VA veterans disability application process
Veterans go through a VA-directed medical review. The VA uses its own clinicians or contracted examiners to evaluate veterans for their disability. Similar to SSDI, the VA may ask you to attend a VA claim exam, known as a C&P exam.
Tips for Filing Both Claims
- Be prepared when filing your application. For SSA, you should provide all of your medical treatment information on your application. It should include doctors you see regularly as well as any hospitalizations or emergency room visits. For VA disability claims, you should be very specific with what you’re claiming.
- Get treatment with specialists. Frequently, records kept by specialists record your symptoms and problems better than a general doctor.
- Getting your doctor to complete forms. For SSA, your doctors should complete an RFC form. For the VA, your doctor can complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) provided by the VA.
- Attend all appointments. If you miss either a SSA exam or a C&P exam, SSA and the VA will deny your claim.
- Appeal unfavorable decisions on time. You have 60 days to appeal a Social Security denial. For a VA decision, you have one year to file a Supplemental Claim, request a Higher-Level Review or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, which also protects your back pay.
Other Things to Know
- Medicare: SSDI comes with Medicare after 24 months of entitlement. You can keep VA health care too.
- Back pay: SSDI has a five-month waiting period, and it can pay up to 12 months of back benefits before your application date.
- TDIU and SSDI: You can receive both. A TDIU award shows the VA agrees you can’t keep steady work, which is close to what Social Security looks for.
Get Help With Your Claims Today!
Hiring an experienced disability advocate can increase your chances of getting approved. Firstly, your advocate helps you with your application and can make sure you provide all the necessary information. Secondly, your advocate walks you through the process. Thirdly, they can answer all of your questions and help you understand all of the rules. Last, your advocate knows what it takes to get your case approved, you need an expert on your side.
Make sure you start your claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a disabled veteran receive SSDI?
Yes. A VA disability rating does not stop you from getting SSDI. You need enough Social Security work credits, and military pay counts toward them. Social Security must also find that your conditions keep you from doing substantial work for at least 12 months.
Does a 100% VA rating mean automatic SSDI approval?
No. A 100% Permanent and Total rating gets your SSDI claim processed faster, and Social Security considers the VA’s medical evidence, but it still makes its own decision.
Is VA disability compensation taxable?
No. VA disability compensation is tax-free. SSDI can be partly taxable if your total income is above certain levels.
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