Do You Get More Social Security if You Are a Veteran?

If you are a veteran and are now disabled and unable to work in any capacity, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Social Security Benefits for Veterans

As alluded to above, there are two different Social Security disability programs (SSDI and SSI). SSDI benefits are dependent upon your prior payment of Social Security taxes for a certain amount of time (usually for five of the last ten years) and the monthly SSDI benefit amount is based on those prior payments – not on the severity of your disability.

SSI benefits, on the other hand, are considered need-based, and therefore, you must have minimum assets and income to qualify for those. Importantly, any VA benefits you receive will count towards your monthly income and will reduce your potential SSI award. If you receive more than $794 a month in VA disability benefits in 2021, you will likely not be eligible for any SSI payments. Other common situations that prevent SSI eligibility are: (1) if you are married, having more than $3,000 in assets (including two family vehicles) and (2) if you are single, having more than $2,000 in assets.

Therefore, no, you do not receive more in Social Security benefits for being a veteran. SSDI benefits are calculated based on what you have paid into the system and SSI benefits are paid out a maximum amount of $794 per month (in 2021), but are reduced based on other income that comes into the home. However, if you are a disabled veteran, you may also qualify for a VA pension or VA disability.

Jacksonville Social Security Disability Attorney

If you are a veteran and disabled and unable to work in any capacity due to your physical or mental condition, contact a local attorney today. An attorney can help answer your questions or help you apply for disability.