Veterans: Did you know....?
“As a service member going to through the processing of transitioning from the military back in the “Real World”, I know first-hand the importance of knowing what I qualify for and taking the necessary actions to obtain the benefits I have worked for since I was 16 years old says ShaDonna “MO” McPhaul, CEO/Founder, Mo’s Heroes. I truly appreciate organizations like “Disability Benefits Help” who are assisting us in taking the first step to support and our veterans and our military communities. I’m aware of so many help agencies that exist to serve and support, and it was very important to me to have the platform to get this information to the masses to support our communities.” Social Security and VA Veterans Disability Benefits: What You Need to Know When U.S. veterans apply for and receive Veteran’s Administration disability benefits, not everyone is aware that they may also be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Both the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Veteran’s Administration (VA) pay disability benefits to applicants who qualify, but they are entirely separate organizations with different eligibility criteria for awarding benefits. It is not uncommon for veterans to successfully qualify for both. Does Qualifying for VA Benefits Make It Easier to Receive SSDI?
If you have been approved for VA benefits because you have a medical condition that prevents you from working, there is a stronger likelihood of a successful SSDI claim, because the SSA will take your VA disability rating into consideration when evaluating your claim. On the other hand, receiving Social Security disability benefits does not necessarily support a successful VA claim, because the latter organization only compensates for service-related disabilities. You can become disabled at any point of your life and qualify for Social Security benefits, but can only become disabled while on active duty to receive VA disability. The SSA will fast-track the disability applications of ex-military personnel who meet one (or both) of the following criteria: ● ●
Serving in the armed forces after October 1, 2001 and becoming disabled while on active duty Permanent and total VA disability rating of 100%
Social Security Administration and Veteran’s Affairs Disability: the Differences Social Security makes monthly payments to people who they define as disabled, which means that their proven disability prevents them from performing “substantial gainful activity” (earning more than $1,130 per month) and is expected to last at least one year, or end in death. The VA does not require applicants to be completely disabled in order to qualify. But even if your compensation rating with the VA is 100%, you still need to meet the Social Security Act’s strict definition of disability to receive SSDI benefits. Other differences include: ●
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Importance assigned to treating physicians: SSA decision makers place more value on your doctor’s medical opinion if he or she is your ‘treating physician’. The input from a treating doctor, while important, does not carry as much weight with VA applications, as the approval is based on your file in its entirety and not just the medical aspect. Partial disabilities: The VA grants benefits for partial disabilities, provided that they are service-related, while the SSA requires you to be completely disabled. The VA also uses a ratings system is used to assess the degree of your disability, which the SSA does not.
Qualifying for SSA Disability Benefits as a Veteran U.S. veterans are eligible for SSDI only if they held full-time employment for a minimum of five years out of the preceding 10, although younger applicants will not need to have worked as much. A young veteran injured in war at the age of 21 is not expected to have worked for the past five years. If you are approved, your monthly Social Security benefit amount is calculated by taking into account both your military and civilian incomes prior to disability, as well as your years of service.
Keep in mind that you need to have worked recently to qualify for SSDI. If you became injured while on active duty and did not work for the next five years, you will likely no longer qualify for SSDI benefits. This is why it’s important to apply for SSDI benefits as soon as possible if you are injured on duty. Other Disability Payments For low-income veterans whose disability is not related to their military service, the VA has a needs-based program that is similar to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offered by the SSA. Disabled veterans may receive SSI and this pension simultaneously, but SSDI recipients could be ineligible if their SSDI payments exceed the pension income limits. For more information about SSA benefits and how to apply for them as a veteran, visit the SSA’s website, visit your local SSA office, or call the SSA toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to start an application. The average claim is approved in around five months, although veterans with a disability rating of 100% or veterans who served in armed forces after October 1, 2001 could be approved in as little as 10 days. This article was provide by the Disability Benefits Help, an independent organization dedicated to helping people of all ages receive the disability benefits they need. If you have any questions on the process or if you want more information on whether you qualify for disability benefits as well as VA benefits, feel free to reach to our staff at help@disability-benefits-help.org. For more information, visit: www.mosheroes.org