. Military-Civilian: Hot Jobs, Events, and Helpful Information for Veterans Seeking Civilian Careers: Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits and VA Disability

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits and VA Disability











Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits and VA Disability



Did you know that veterans are often eligible for additional financial aid on top of VA disability benefits? The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers resources for people who are no longer able to work due to a disability that will last at least 12 months. You might be eligible for an increase in monthly benefits, as VA disability and Social Security disability benefits do not affect one another.

Primary Differences Between Social Security and VA Disability

Most veterans will qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. These benefits are awarded to any adults who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. Any military employment will mean you’ve paid than enough in payroll taxes to qualify for SSDI benefits. While both programs are offered by the government, there are some fundamental differences:

1. You must be completely disabled to receive SSDI.

Unlike VA disability, it’s not possible to receive a 10% disability rating for SSDI benefits. To meet the SSA’s basic definition of disability, you must be unable to work and earn “substantial income,” which is $1,180 per month in 2018. If your disability rating is on the low end (less than 50%), you might not qualify. On the other hand, if you have a disability rating of 70% or higher, you’ll almost certainly qualify.

2. It doesn’t matter when your disability started to qualify for SSDI.

Unlike VA disability, you do not need to have been on active duty to qualify for SSDI benefits. Keeping this in mind, it is theoretically possible to qualify for SSDI benefits with a 20% VA disability rating.

For example, a leg injury considered 20% disabling would almost never qualify for SSDI. But if you were diagnosed with advanced cancer the year following your departure from the armed forces, you will likely become eligible for Social Security disability benefits. While your disability percentage will not rise, you should be eligible for additional aid.

The important thing to keep in mind is that you must have been working at least five years prior to applying for SSDI benefits. Social Security disability is only for adults who have worked recently. If you aren’t able to work after your service ends, you should apply for Social Security benefits as soon as possible.

3. A VA disability approval helps an SSDI application.

While an SSDI approval cannot help your VA disability application process, already receiving VA disability, particularly a high percentage, will go a long way in helping your claim get approved.

In fact, two different groups of veterans have their claims expedited by the SSA: Those who have a disability rating of 100% P&T, and those who were injured on active duty during or before October 2002. If you fall into either of these categories, your claim could be approved within 10 days. Just be sure to mark your status as a veteran when you submit your application.

Starting Your Application

Most veterans will be able to apply for Social Security disability benefits online on the SSA’s website. This is the easiest way to apply, as you can save your progress to be completed at a later date.

If you’d prefer to apply with a Social Security representative in person, you can also do so! There are more than 1,300 SSA offices nationwide to help you get the process started. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment to apply in person. It should take 3-5 months to be approved, but as mentioned previously, some claims will be approved within a matter of weeks.


Resources Found Via:
·       https://www.ssa.gov/



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