A common question asked by military veterans is whether they are eligible for multiple disability benefit programs, such as benefits through the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. Generally speaking, the answer is yes. It is possible for a veteran to receive both VA disability benefits and SSDI benefits simultaneously. Though, it is important to understand that receiving VA disability benefits may impact your eligibility for SSDI benefits.
Differences Between SSDI Benefits and VA Benefits
By way of background, VA disability benefits are monthly payments that are paid to eligible veterans by VA for disabilities they may have incurred during the course of their military service, or if a condition they had prior to their military service was aggravated by their time in the military. SSA also pays benefits to individuals who qualify for SSDI benefits based on their work history. To qualify, an individual needs to have spent a certain period of time in “covered” employment where they paid Social Security taxes.
A notable distinction between VA disability benefits and SSDI benefits is the grading scale used to assess eligibility for VA benefits. If you apply for VA disability benefits, each component of your disability is given an individual rating based on the severity of the condition. For example, if you have a medically diagnosed degenerative disc injury in your back and the VA determines this condition to be service-connected, then you will receive a disability rating for that impairment alone, which can impact your overall rating percentage with the VA, but won’t necessarily result in a finding that you are permanently disabled; whereas SSDI benefits, an individual is so disabled based on several conditions, that they are no longer able to work on a competitive basis.
How VA Benefits Impact SSI Benefits
If you pursue both VA benefits and benefits from the SSA, it is important to understand that there are two types of disability benefits administered by the SSA: (i) SSDI and (ii) Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI only counts earned income so receiving VA disability benefits would likely not impact your entitlement to SSDI benefits. However, SSI is a need-based program, which means that the Administration looks beyond just earned income, and evaluates your resources to determine whether or not you actually need the additional resources. As a result, if you receive VA disability benefits, they will count towards your monthly income. The resource limits for SSI is $2,000.00 for an individual, and $3,000.00 for a married couple. This means if you are receiving disability payments from the VA, those will be counted as a resource, whereas they are not for SSDI. The SSI payment amounts in 2025 are set to $967 per month for an individual.
Of course, receipt of VA disability benefits may also reduce your SSI payment. Why? Because the SSA considers VA disability compensation as a resource and will subtract anything you receive from your potential benefit. This is known as an offset. For example, if you have a 20 percent disability rating from the VA and receive around $270 a month in VA disability benefits, then the SSA will deduct that amount from your potential monthly SSI benefit.
Overview of SSDI and VA Disability Benefit Requirements
In order to qualify for SSDI benefits and/or VA disability benefits, there are specific requirements that must be met. For example, to be eligible for VA disability benefits, you must demonstrate the following:
- A current diagnosis of a qualifying condition; and
- An in-service event, injury, or illness; and
- A nexus between that diagnosis and the in-service event.
To be eligible to receive SSDI benefits, you must demonstrate the following:
- You have a medical condition or several medical conditions that the SSA determines could impact your ability to work; and
- An inability to engage in substantially gainful employment; and
- You have a sufficient work history and have paid a minimum amount into Social Security via your payroll taxes.
To be eligible to receive SSI benefits, you must demonstrate the following:
- You have a medical condition or several medical conditions that the SSA determines could impact your ability to work; and
- An inability to engage in substantially gainful employment; and
- You have limited income and assets.
Qualifying for VA Disability Does Not Automatically Qualify You for SSDI Benefits
If you are interested in obtaining both VA disability benefits and SSDI / SSI benefits, then you need to be prepared to apply separately for each program. Qualification for one benefit program does not automatically mean approval for another program. You must qualify for each disability benefit separately.
Why You Should File for VA Disability Benefits Even If You Currently Receive SSDI Benefits
If you are a veteran currently receiving SSDI benefits, you may be wondering whether it is worthwhile to apply for VA disability benefits. There are many reasons why it makes sense to move forward with filing for VA disability benefits.
For example, in contrast to SSDI, eligibility for VA disability benefits has no age limit. With SSDI benefits, the SSA will cease disability benefits when you reach retirement age (i.e., 65 years old). Upon reaching retirement age, you would receive Social Security Retirement payments instead of SSDI.
Another reason to apply for VA disability is that it is a tax-free benefit and does not offset SSDI benefits. This is notable since, with some government benefits, there are “double-dipping” rules that require participants to subtract the amount of one benefit from the other government benefits they receive. With SSDI benefits and VA disability benefits, this is not the case. The money you receive for VA disability compensation will not be taxed and will not affect the payment amounts from other benefit programs. Additionally, these are benefits that you have earned, whether it be through your service, and/or based on your years of work.
Bross Frankel Can Help You Get Approved for Disability Benefits
The process of applying for disability benefits – whether through the VA, SSA, or both – should be straightforward. However, the application process can often be confusing and downright intimidating, especially for individuals who are already struggling with a serious physical impairment or mental health condition. Our disability benefits law firm is ready and able to provide you with advice on your claim and help you throughout the application process.
If you were diagnosed with a service-connected disability, Bross Frankel is here to help. Our law offices are dedicated to helping veterans get the disability benefits they need and deserve, including VA disability, Social Security disability, and more. To learn more or to schedule a free claim review with a veterans disability attorney, contact our office today at (856) 795-8880 or fill out our online contact form.