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:
·
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/cancer-and-social-security-disability
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