Social Security and the VA, Working Together for Our Heroes
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
Social Security honors those who have served in the U.S. military. We recognize the sacrifices these Americans made while serving our country. Often, their dedication comes at the expense of significant and lasting effects on themselves and their families.
Social Security provides expedited processing of disability benefit applications for wounded warriors and veterans with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation rating of 100% Permanent & Total (P&T).
While both Social Security and the VA pay disability benefits to qualifying individuals, the criteria for awarding benefits is not the same. Even if you have a VA compensation rating of 100% P&T, you will need to meet the strict definition of disability set out by the Social Security Act to receive Social Security disability benefits. Social Security pays benefits to people with a severe medical condition expected to last at least one year or to result in death, while preventing you from performing substantial work.
To receive expedited processing as a veteran rated 100% P&T, you must first apply for Social Security benefits. You can apply online or call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can also visit your local Social Security office to apply in person.
You must identify yourself as a “Veteran rated 100% P&T.” If you apply in person or over the phone, tell the Social Security representative that you are a veteran rated 100% P&T. If you apply online, enter “Veteran 100% P&T” in the “Remarks” section of the application. You must also provide Social Security with your Veterans Affairs notification letter that verifies your rating.
Social Security will expedite your claim through the application process, and any appeals level, if necessary. Veterans Affairs compensation will not affect your Social Security benefits.
We are grateful to our veterans for their dedication to this country, and we are committed to providing veterans and wounded warriors with high quality public service. For more information, please visit https://www.socialsecurity.gov/people/veterans/
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Tags: Disability, veterans
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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john d.
My name is John Davis a Vietnam Combat Veteran..Rated 100% P&T….Why did my inf not include the fact that I should apply for disability from SSA..I was 66 a month ago still no$..How old do I have to be to receive benefits??
Nick
Neither VA nor SS will tell people that 22 veterans commit suicide every day!
And many of them are on Waiting Lists at the VA! ;-(
don
that’s not true i hear it all the time at the VA in Tampa , of course some are trying to help why do u think they have the suicide hotline in place Nick , some of us Veterans have to bear some responsibility , move closes to a main Hospital and they will treat u every day if u want .
Joe F.
Good idea if you can afford to move Don. At least it will help some people. But just cuz you hear something all the time doesn’t mean it’s not true.It’s probably low. But you can’t ask people who are dead via OD whether they intended it. Some folks reach the age where death is not the worst thing that can happen or even beats the alternative. Not all of us have the same VA as you. It’s 6 months to see a specialist here. And truly suicidal people aren’t likely to call anyone who would stop them. It is hard to tell until they do it. A very difficult problem it is
Queen
My husband received VA compensation before he died in 1999, my question is am I entitled to any of his VA benefits. I am waiting on a hearing date for my disability w/ social security.
Ray F.
Hi Queen. To see if you qualify for benefits on your ex-husband’s military record contact the Department of Defense or the legal assistance office at your nearest military installation. Thanks!
Charlotte
My father is part of the VA system. He served in the Korean War. He is service connected due to hearing loss. A few years ago I took him to our local VA . They did. Pulmonary Function Test for his lungs, the first thing the lady said was you were in Korea? He said yes. She said you have atelectasis , we’ve found these with the Korean War vets. No one has done anything since, he does have shortness of breath but also has a heart condition. My question is about compensation and or service connection. I talked to his VA the other day in PA, they told me to ask the DAV, any thoughts? Or ideas to help him?
I appreciate your time and information!
Cassandra
What about us vets that are less than 100%? I am 90%, but rated at 100% from VA due to unemployment as I can’t work. I have been denied many times and now waitin for my time in front of the judge again. I have hired an attorney this time. I have multiple disabilitys. I was told 16 -20 months for a wounded warrior. That just seems very long.
Ray F.
Thank you for your questions, Cassandra. 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.
The length of time it takes to get a hearing can vary from state to state. We attempt to resolve all claims promptly, but there may be delays due to the volume of pending appeals in your area. The good news is that we are trying to conduct many of our hearings through video teleconferencing (VTC) to speed up the process. Visit our “Hearing And Appeals” web page for more information. Please continue working with your attorney and local hearing office on specific questions about your case. Thanks !
Kenneth P.
I’m not sure if this is still active or not but could you please answer the question as to whether being unemployable through the VA, being paid as 100% although being 90% because of VA math never being able to allow you to reach it, does this also count for the expedited appeal process. I am in PTSD inpatient clinic and being told by many of my peers that I should be getting expedited treatment but I made my appeal in October and my lawyer is well aware of my status.
Ray F.
First of all, THANK YOU for your service Kenneth. Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. 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. Click here to learn more about “Disability Benefits For Wounded Warriors”. Please continue working with your attorney and your local Social Security office on specific questions about your case.
MLG
My husband receives VA compensation and is rated 100% PT. He has been since he was age 62. He is now age 68. We were under the impression that he could not receive disability from both the VA and SSA so we only applied for his Social Security retirement benefits and not disability benefits which were more than he is receiving for retirement. Since he was determined to be permanently and totally disabled before age 65, is there anything we can do now or is it too late?
tony
Benefits payments for SSDI are only retroactive a year from the time of application. His befefits would start a year ago when he was 67 which is too late to apply. He would get a technical denial.
Ray F.
Thank you for your question MLG. For disability (SSDI) benefits, we generally allow up to 12 months of retroactivity payments. However, we will consider your application date, the established date of your disability and the five-month waiting period (benefits are not payable for the first full five month of disability) Also, 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. Unfortunately and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. One of our representatives should be able to provide your husband with an explanation and answer his questions about this matter. He can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or visit her local Social Security office for further assistance.
Don
This is all crap I am 100 PT. I’m over 50 haven’t worked since the military because of my disability, well over two years. On my third try for benifits from SSDI. Almost 2 years waiting again still no answer. I decorated my apps with my VA disability rating and attached letter after letter, no help. I recently discovered that I am also on of the Marines that was exposed to Toxic chemicals so I added that too. NOTHING… The whole thing is a cap shoot at best. I have seen people with drug induced self inflicted injuries get approved even when they never worked a regular job ever. This Vet gets screwed.
Gus
Although your situation sounds tough, you should be happy you are not the norm.
khayyam A.
Don’t you are absolutely right!!! This is just a smokescreen! Darn shame I been stabbed in my head in Korea and left to die….ptsd…hip cartilage gone…sleep apnea…rotator cuff damaged in my right shoulder…arthritis in both knees..panic attacks..nightmares..daymares…migrains…denied twice smh…
Daniel W.
You hit the nail on the head, Don… SSA needs to quit saying how much they respect and support Vets…
Steven
I am 100% disabled from the Va. I put in for medical retirement in January with the GOVERNEMNET and I had to apply for social security the same day in order for them to accept my packet. I was told at the social security they were putting my claim in the expedited Wounded warriors program. I am not t and p tho. My 100% VA. rating can be reviewed for decrease in the year 2020. Will social security look at that? And I also heard that they almost always deny everybodies claim the first time. Is this true? I did read other people’s blogs here I should have enough work credits since I been on the book since I was 15 years old. I am only 36 now. What do you think?
Ray F.
Hi Steven, 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. To learn more about the process we use to decide if you are disabled under our rules, visit our Disability Planner: How We Decide If You Are Disabled. Thanks!
Elena
Hello, I have a question. I receive ssdi, if the opportunity comes that I could earn some extra cash by doing crafts or something like that. Is that possible and if so, what is the cap on what I can earn? I want to make sure I am not violating the rules and it doesn’t affect my benefits.
tony
You don’t sound disabled. You are limiting yourself, so you can stay on disability.
Marc
Where’d you go to medical school Tony? Must have been a really great one since you’re able to tell if someone is disabled just reading a couple of sentences on a blog. That was really rude, by the way. Judgmental much?
tony
SSDI are for people who can’t work. This person wants to work just enough, so she can continue to collect disability. If she works too much, then she might get kicked off disability. This is one of the reason why SSDI is going broke.
gene
SSDI folks can work. Go back and do some research.
Ray F.
You’re right Gene. Social Security strongly supports those individuals who want to return to the work force while supplementing their disability benefit income. We have Work Incentives that allow people to work and still receive their benefits. A person may still be eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program if they work. However, their earnings cannot exceed a certain amount. This is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. In addition to the amount of money you make, Social Security may also look at the number of hours you’re able to work. Thanks!
Dreama
Sa théorie qu’un resto c’est mauvais est lié au fait que la théorie dit que foutre uen table entre toi et ta prospecte ca crée une distance en partant…Sauf qu’entre toi pis moi là…..Ca toujours été une &leooq; bonna &raquu; facon de dater…
Tony S.
It is not only that; but we have young kids on disability because they find school too stressful so Filthy Doctors put them on Disability. Nice going America!!!
Joe F.
Rotflmao
Ray F.
Thank you for your question Elena. Social Security strongly supports those individuals who want to return to the work force while supplementing their disability benefit income. We have Work Incentives that allow people to work and still receive their benefits. A person may still be eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program if they work. However, their earnings cannot exceed a certain amount. This is called the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. In 2016, the SGA limit is $1,130 per month (or $1,820 for blind applicants). In addition to the amount of money you make, Social Security may also look at the number of hours you’re able to work. We hope this information helps.
Joe F.
Isn’t that discrimination on the basis of disability? People who are missing 2 or more limbs, have dual spinal chord injuries, deafness & need to see a psychiatrist arguably have higher expenses. I am happy people considered legally blind get the additional income. But I think anyone who can find a way to earn money while disabled ought to have the same allowance. Not meant in a jealous way. I thought Social Security recipients were allowed a considerably higher earning ability than that. Is there a difference there too for OAS recipients?
T. W.
I receive 100% disability from the VA. I receive all my medical treatment from the VA. I am about to retire and will turn 65 next year. Do I still have to apply for medicare
Ray F.
Hi T. Wash, if –at age 65- you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically. if you are not receiving retirement benefits, you should contact us about three months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. We recommend that you speak to your health benefits advisor at the VA to see what’s best for you. We hope this information helps.
Joe F.
I have both. The VA’s care is so substandard I ceased using it for anything. I suggest getting both Medicare A &B. You never know where the axe falls next and iirc Not getting Part B carries a financial penalty should you decide you want it years down the road. Be well buddy.