Disability, SSI

How Social Security Serves Those Who Served

September 21, 2015 • By

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Last Updated: March 17, 2021

A POW/MIA flag on a deskOn September 18, we observed POW/MIA Recognition Day. Social Security remembers those missing in action while defending our country. We want to take the opportunity to highlight our special benefits for wounded warriors.

Social Security takes care of our wounded warriors, because we understand that the effects of military service can be profound and lasting.

Social Security pays disability benefits to veterans through the Social Security disability insurance program, which pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you’ve worked long enough and paid enough Social Security taxes to qualify.

We can also pay disability benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which is based on financial need.

Social Security has a very strict definition of disability. To qualify for disability benefits, you must be unable to work and have a medical condition that’s expected to last one year or more or to result in death.

Veterans who have a VA compensation rating of 100 percent permanent and total (P&T) have the opportunity to receive expedited processing of applications for Social Security disability benefits.

For more information, or to apply, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, or visit www.socialsecurity.gov. You can also get additional information about our benefits and services for veterans at www.socialsecurity.gov/people/veterans.

Please remember that Social Security can help with the emotional, financial, and health issues that result from military service. We will never forget.

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About the Author

Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications

Comments

  1. Hospitals &.

    Social Security Amendment of 2016

    Free Disability Insurance Reallocation Tax (DIRT) Act

    To immediately amend the DI tax rate from 1.80% to 2.30%, from 0.90% to 1.15% for employees and from 0.90% to 1.15% for employers under Sec. 201(b)(1)(S) of the Social Security Act 42USC(7)II§401 and amend the OASI tax rate from 10.60% to 10.10%, from 5.30% to 5.05% for employees under 26USC(C)(21)(A)§3101 (a) and from 5.30% to 5.05% for employers under 26USC(C)(21)(A)§3111 (a) to avoid depletion of the Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund in 2016 without increasing the overall 12.4% OASDI or 15.3% OASDI and Hospital Insurance (HI) tax-rate under 26USC(A)(2)§1401 beginning October 1, 2015.

    To amend the DI tax rate again in 2018 to 2.20% from 2.30%, from 1.15% to 1.10% for employees and from 1.15% to 1.10% for employers under Sec. 201(b)(1)(S) of the Social Security Act 42USC(7)II§401 and amend the OASI tax rate from 10.10% to 10.20%, from 5.05% to 5.10% for employees under 26USC(C)(21)(A)§3101 (a) and from 5.05% to 5.10% for employers under 26USC(C)(21)(A)§3111 (a) without increasing the overall 12.4% OASDI or 15.3% OASDI and Hospital Insurance (HI) tax-rate under 26USC(A)(2)§1401 to maximize efficiency until a deficit appears in the OASI Trust Fund in 2019.

    Be it enacted by the Actuary, Commissioner and Treasury (ACT)

    Signatories: Carolyn Colvin, Commissioner; Stephen Goss, Chief Actuary, Jack Lew, Treasurer. Optional: Shuan Donovan, OMB Director.

  2. Manuel S.

    9/22/2015

    On reviewing the scenarios sent in to Social Security it seems like the general population does not have a good handle on qualifications for Social Security Benefits; maybe SS could post some case scenario examples or ” for instance” pseudo cases of the above cases ?

    • Ray F.

      Thanks for using our blog to share your ideas Manuel! We value your thoughts and will use your suggestion to explore how we can further improve the services we offer. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

  3. Anthony F.

    Thank you for the information. I am not eligible for any compensation but I am amazed at how much MIS-information is out there so this helps set the record straight. Keep up the good work.

    • Ray F.

      Thank you Sir! The Social Security Administration is committed to keeping the public informed about Social Security programs and the services we offer. Our goal is to provide helpful information to as many people as possible.
      Even if you are not eligible for Social Security benefits at this time, you can create a my Social Security account to review your earnings record, and check for future benefits. You can also see the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid.

  4. DAVID K.

    I served 45 years in serving the United States and now am getting messed over by the United States. I served 25 years in the military and 20 years in civil service. I have ran into 2 very bad situations I do not think is right. After serving and paying Social Security over those 45 years the Social Security rules say unless my wife is a United States Citizen she cannot claim from my Social Security. I think I earned it and my wife should be able to claim it when she turns 65.There are others that have not served and wives have not worked at all and are allowed to draw on their husbands Social Security. Would you please help me with this?

    My second request I am requesting help with is my wife will be able to claim the military SBP but the draw back is Social Security will take out 30% tax on it. I think that is a big exuberant, don’t you.

    Thank you very much for any help you can give me!!

    David Knutson

    E:MAIL: toyotamr2gt@hotmail.com
    45 years government with 25 military and 20 Civil Service and because my wife is not a citizen she cannot get on my Social Security. I don’t think that Is serving!!!

  5. George D.

    I served in the US Navy in world II and was wounded
    while flying in a TBM. The wound was not serious however I did receive a Purple Heart. Since then I lost my Purple heart and can’t seem to get it replaced. I served 7 years in the Navy, and joined the US Airforce for 17 years.
    George D. Pyles

    • Ray F.

      First of all, thank you for your service to our country Mr. Pyles! We suggest you visit Veterans Service Records for information on how to request replacement military documentation and lost medals. We hope this helps!

  6. Mark B.

    You do what you promise. Thank you. My family could not do it without you since I became disabled during military service. I’ve experienced no excuses – just results!

  7. Deborah T.

    My husband and I are both disabled veterans. He at 50% and me at 70%. We are pleased Social Security takes care of the 100% but we could use a boost as well. We Will receive SS retirement which we will have to take sooner than desired due to increased physical problems making it impossible to work. These will still be less than 100% and SS will not be enough as it stands now. Any suggestions?

    • Ray F.

      First of all, we want to thank you both for your service to our country. We certainly understand your frustration, but please keep in mind that the Social Security Act sets out a very strict definition of disability, much different than the requirements for other government programs including veterans benefits.
      Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. Disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death.

      If you think that you are disabled under our rules, you can apply for Disability Benefits before you apply for Retirement Benefits. We hope this information helps!

      • burrell.k.allen

        Well I don’t really know why I am going to even attempt to get anywhere with this but I can’t find anything else to do, no phone unless I use the neighbor’s WiFi, no insurance on the 2 vehicles I don’t own and can’t afford to put gas in, so I’m going to sit in my truck before they repossess it to vent. I’m a disabled veteran with PTSD , anxiety disorder, tissue damage and as the VA has deemed me unemployable. I was on SSI disability for 11 years but I thought I was doing better and attempted to return to work, but it was just a little bit more than I could deal with. So a short time later I again tried and actually was feeling pretty sure that I don’t have the ability to do well in any case that I my run into the hidden Trigger Point, I had been in physical altercations on a regular basis and was trying to keep in therapy and not lose my family, home and life. Well all I had accomplished was losing my job, my family, my home and as it is I’ve lost my benefits for attempting to earn my own way. So I’m waiting for a hand out by the SSI office on a expedited claim that I filed in June because the one I had filed in march was denied because they lost their of me, I was homeless and had been admitted to the mental health facility in St Louis. So that’s my story I don’t really care much anymore I don’t have much to worry about, but I do hope that the veterans of today are going to be taken care of they have earned the right to live in the country that they defended with out being a 2nd class citizen.

  8. I R.

    I’m a retired 70% disabled veteran. Do I qualify to increase my $210.00 social security check?

  9. Saheb R.

    Sir,
    Thanks for appreciation for hard work.
    “Social Security pays disability benefits to veterans through the Social Security disability insurance program, which pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you’ve worked long enough and paid enough Social Security taxes to qualify.”
    I hope to get all benefits through fcc as provided in.
    Sept 21,2015 01:10

  10. Lic. P.

    Your work is very appreciated for all people around our country.

    Thanks.

Comments are closed.