If I’ve Served in the Military, Do I Qualify for SSDI Benefits?

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

The first thing to note is that your eligibility for VA benefits does not automatically qualify you for Social Security disability benefits (and vice versa) as each of the agencies have different processes and rules for making a finding of disability. This can mean that you are found 100% disabled by the VA, but Social Security says you are not disabled. It can also mean that Social Security finds you to be disabled but the VA says it is not service-connected and therefore, you are not disabled under their rules.

To be found disabled under the Social Security Administration rules, you must be unable to perform “substantial work because of your medical condition(s)” and your medical condition(s) must have lasted (or be expected to last) at least one year, or result in death. So, while the VA follows a “ratings system” to determine varying levels of disability, with Social Security, you are either considered “disabled” or “not disabled,” there is no in-between.

However, if you are rated 100% Permanent and Total by the VA, you can receive expedited processing in your application for Social Security disability 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.

Jacksonville Social Security Disability Attorney

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