VA Disability Benefits vs. Social Security Disability Benefits

Before diving into whether you can collect both, it’s important to understand the difference between VA Disability and Social Security Disability benefits:

• VA Disability Benefits: These are provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to veterans who were injured or became ill while serving in the military. The amount of VA Disability benefits you receive depends on your disability rating, which ranges from 0% to 100%.
• Social Security Disability (SSDI): SSDI is a program for individuals who are unable to work due to a disability and who have worked and paid into Social Security taxes for a required number of years. SSDI benefits are based on your work history and how much you’ve contributed to Social Security.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI is a need-based program for individuals who are disabled, blind, or aged and have limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, SSI doesn’t require a work history but does have strict income and asset limits.

Can You Collect VA Disability and Social Security Benefits at the Same Time?

The short answer is yes – you can collect both VA Disability and Social Security Disability benefits at the same time. The two benefits are separate programs, and qualifying for one does not affect your eligibility for the other. Here’s how it works:

• No Overlap in Eligibility: The VA Disability program is designed for veterans, while Social Security Disability programs (SSDI or SSI) are available to individuals with disabilities who meet the eligibility requirements for those specific programs. The qualifications for each are independent of each other, so receiving one type of benefit does not disqualify you from receiving the other.
• VA Benefits Are Not Counted as Income for SSDI/SSI: If you are receiving VA Disability, it is not considered income when applying for SSDI or SSI benefits. This means that your VA benefits will not reduce the amount of SSDI or SSI you receive. However, SSDI benefits will be reduced if you are also receiving workers’ compensation or other federal benefits.
• Impact on Other Programs: While you can collect both VA Disability and Social Security benefits, there are other factors that may affect your eligibility for certain programs. For example, if you’re receiving SSI, the amount you receive from VA Disability could affect your eligibility due to SSI’s income limits. SSDI, on the other hand, is based on your work history, not income, so your VA Disability benefits won’t impact your SSDI eligibility.

How Much Can You Receive from Both Programs?

You can receive the full amount of both benefits. However, there are some important considerations:

• VA Disability Compensation: The amount of VA Disability you receive depends on your disability rating, which can range from 0% to 100%. If you are rated at 100% disability, you may qualify for maximum VA compensation, but this does not impact your ability to receive SSDI benefits as long as you meet the SSDI requirements.
• Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI): The amount of SSDI you receive is based on your average lifetime earnings and how much you have paid into Social Security. If you qualify for both VA Disability and SSDI, you can receive both payments without any reductions due to each other. However, SSI has income and resource limits that could be affected by VA Disability benefits.

What Happens if You’re Denied SSDI but Receive VA Disability?

If you receive VA Disability benefits but are denied SSDI benefits, you may still be eligible for SSI if you meet the income and asset requirements. The fact that you are receiving VA Disability does not automatically disqualify you from SSDI or SSI, but your ability to meet the Social Security Administration's (SSA) strict medical and financial requirements will be the deciding factor.

If you are denied SSDI but believe you meet the criteria, consider appealing the decision. Many claims are denied initially, but there’s a possibility of success during the appeals process, especially if you provide additional medical evidence or clarification about your condition.

Can You Be Awarded Both VA Disability and Social Security Benefits?

Yes, it is possible to receive both VA Disability and Social Security benefits, including SSDI or SSI, at the same time. Many veterans qualify for both benefits because the programs serve different purposes and have different eligibility requirements. For instance:

• SSDI focuses on whether you are unable to work due to a medical condition and how long you have been working.
• VA Disability focuses on injuries or illnesses that occurred during military service.
  

In many cases, veterans may meet the requirements for both, especially if they have significant disabilities that prevent them from working.