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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Carla
Hi, how will a DIC lump payment and continuing monthly payments affect my mother’s monthly SS benefits and Extra Help for Medicare costs?
Thank you
Linda L.
I am currently receiving ssdi and applied to get benefits for my decesed husbands social security. I am over 50 and disabled and was married over 10 yrs so I know I eligable. Its just when will I start to receive it. I did get this message yesterday on SS website. A medical decision has been made and we are working to process your benefit application. A Social Security Representative may contact you directly if we need any additional documents or information. Does mean I should be getting info soon?
A.C.
Hi, Linda. The length of time it takes to receive a final determination on your claim varies. We care about our customers and are working as fast as we can. For security reasons, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. In your situation, we encourage you to continue working with your local office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
kim
This my 2nd time to apply and they denied me i have 90 per.on VA & i have unemployability P&T to my PTSD why they denied me?if i file for 3rd time i don’t have money to hire a attorney and i can’t go for long travel for my anxiety attack.i leave in philippines thank you
Social Security (Disability)
Reconsideration
12/08/2016
Decision made
View Decision
A Decision Has Been Made On Your Appeal
Your claim for Disability benefits has been denied. A notice has been sent to you with a detailed explanation of the decision.
If you disagree with the decision, you may request an appeal within 60 days of the date on the “Notice of Decision” you receive. If you wish to appeal your medical denial, you may file an appeal online. If you feel you need assistance with your appeal, please contact your local Social Security office
Marc
I’m a 44 year old retired Army 100% disabled vet. How does the filing for SS works?
R.F.
Thank you for your service to our country, Marc. If you are receiving benefits from the VA, 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. 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. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. If you think you meet our definition of disability, you can apply for disability online. For more information visit our “Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors” web page and our
“Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability. We hope this information helps.
Shereekie
Can social security office request you to see another Dr if VA have determined you as 100% permanently disabled and unemployable?
Anna T.
Really good article and easy to understand.Not an easy insurance concept to put into writing!
http://www.insurezero.com/
Lucy P.
I applied for SSI and my case is on appeal. I just married. My new husband receives VA disability and does not work because of his disability. Our only income is his VA disability. If I get my SSI, will my new husbands VA benefit count so I won’t be eligible for SSI anymore?
R.F.
Hi Lucy. The Supplemental Security Income or SSI program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. The amount of SSI benefits is based, in part, on the income and resources available to the individual. This includes income and resources available from his or her spouse. For specific questions, please call 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Thanks.
Nicholas W.
I am 90% TDIU, I only applied for SSDI at the suggestion of my combat case manager at the VA, was denied for ssdi on the first application and then i was just denied or founded unfavourable after a ssdi hearing. I did not want ssdi nor did i want to go through the stress of dealing with social security. Again I only applied because my case manager said that I should. The question i have now is do i have to worry about the social security agency jeopardizing my VA benefits , do i have to worry about social security talking to the VA and trying to take away my VA benefits just because i dont fall into social securities definition , even though i have a terminal illness secondary to toxic exposure , i dont care bout the social security i just dont want Social Security to ruin or attack me for the only assistance i have in this life is the VA. this is a serious concern of mine and my ptsd now has me on guard that the social security has it out for me now. Since social security denied me can i just forget about social security and put the terrible experience with them behind me and move on with life or are they trying to attack me? Please answer . RK7-out
R.F.
Hi Nicholas. Some disabled veterans may qualify for both Social Security and Veterans Administration (VA) disability benefits at the same time. These are two separate programs. 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. We hope this information helps.
Nicholas W.
Lol , your response must be a copy and paste robot, you came no where near answering my questions. And stop sayin that the Social security only recognises long term or terminal disabilities, that’s a stab in the back for those of us with long term until we die an early death thanks to our forever disabilities. Again the question is … i do not trust the social security and i believe it is for grandmas and civilians that suffer trauma unlike us Veterans who are blessed with the VA. my questiion does the social security notify the VA that i did not meet social security definition (lol) and does the social security try and attack my VA benefits as the VA is my only way of survival. Thank you .
Tish
This is easily my favorite of Ca2tneperr17;s movies. I was lucky enough to see it in the theaters when it first came out. I never got to watch anything rated over PG back then, but my father, who didn’t raise me, had much more open ideas about art and children, and I have thanked him for it ever since. On a side note, Piper is also very good in his episode of IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA.
CLARENCE L.
Thank you for filling out the SSA authorization form on line through eBenefits, however, VA is not currently sharing your Veteran health information electronically with the Social Security Administration through the eHealth Exchange. Please check back at a later date for updates or contact your local SSA office for additional information.
Flora
"You stay benevolent, Great White North ad guys."haha, genius. agency self-promotion is so meta-licious. as an advertising and english major, i appreciate the irony. and as a nonfeasily-o-fetded woman (with not-easily-seen boobs), i also appreciate the disproportionate breast ad. hah. dumb, but just dumb enough to be kinda funny. awesome post.
Isaih t.
I am rated 100% t&p by the va and recently applied for ssb and i was denied saying that because of my compensation from the va is to much income and because of this they will not attempt to determine my level of disability how is this possible.
A.C.
Hello, Isaih. First of all, thank you for your service to our country. It sounds like you were denied Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. The amount of the SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income available to you. 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, and we are sorry to hear your application for disability benefits did not go the way you had hoped. If you do not agree with our decision, you have the right to file an appeal. You must make your request within 60 days from the date you received your notice of denial. If you need help with your appeal, you can contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Gary L.
I am 66 years of age and am rated 100% P&T by the VA in 2013. I had applied for social security retirement benefits at age 62 do to my health. Can I get my retirement benefits raised to a full retirement age of benefits because of my disability.
R.F.
Thank you for your question Gary. Individuals may apply for disability benefits before they attain their full retirement age (currently age 66). Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries become full retirement age. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter waiting time if you call later during the day or later during the week.