SSI/SSDI and VA Disability BenefitsVeterans may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), in conjunction with, or as an alternative to VA disability payments. They may also use the Medicaid and Medicare health benefits that come with SSI/SSDI to supplement VA health services. Show
The definition of disability and application process is different for SSA and VA disability benefits, and Veterans may begin receiving SSA benefits while they are waiting on a VA benefit decision. Definition of DisabilityVA BenefitsFor service-connected disability benefits through the VA, the applicant must show that they have a disabling condition that was “incurred or aggravated by their military service." (Source: “Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors,” U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2016 Edition). The compensation rates are paid on a graduated scale, based on the degree of a Veteran’s disability, ranging from 10 to 100 percent, in 10 percent increments. Pensions, or non-service connected disability payments, require that Veterans served in a wartime period, have limited resources and assets, and have a discharge other than dishonorable (among other factors). SSA BenefitsAlternatively, the definition of disability for SSI/SSDI does not require the Veteran’s disability to be linked to their military service, does not take into account a Veteran’s discharge status, and does not pay on a graduated scale. For SSI/SSDI, the Veteran needs to show:
SSA Expedited Processing for VeteransVeterans may qualify for programs from SSA that expedite disability decisions:
More information about SSA expedited processing go to the Social Security Administration's Veterans page. Accessing VA Health RecordsVeterans can access and manage their VA health records and documents on VA.gov. This is done by linking either their My HealtheVet account or their eBenefits account. To access the VA Blue Button, Veterans must meet all of the requirements listed below. Veterans must be:
Veterans must also have one of these free accounts:
How VA Disability Benefits Impact Social Security PaymentsVeterans who receive VA disability benefits may also receive SSA benefits, depending on the amount received from the VA and if they are approved for SSI or SSDI. SSISince SSI is a needs-based program, additional income from VA benefits will affect the cash benefit amount. SSA classifies VA benefits as “unearned income,” since it does not come from paid employment. As such, it will be deducted dollar for dollar from the SSI federal payment amount, after a general exclusion of $20. All SSI recipients are eligible for this exclusion, where the first $20 of earned or unearned income is not counted against their SSI payment. For example, Paul receives partial VA benefits of $400 per month, and has been approved for SSI. The following table illustrates how the VA benefits will affect his SSI cash benefit: VA Benefits & SSI
Veterans who are approved for a VA pension will not qualify to receive SSI because the pension amount is higher than the SSI payment amount, which reduces the SSI payment amount to zero in the equation above. However, these Veterans may qualify to receive SSDI if they’ve earned enough work credits through SSA. SSDIAlternatively, SSDI benefits are not affected by unearned income through VA benefits. In the following example, Jane receives partial VA benefits of $400 per month. Because she worked and paid into the Social Security system, she now receives $850 per month in SSDI. Her VA and SSDI monthly benefit amounts will be added together: VA Benefits & SSDI
Do dependents of 100 disabled veterans get benefits?Yes. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides many benefits to the spouses of veterans with a 100% disability. These benefits also include additional monthly compensation for vets with other dependents like children or parents.
What benefits do spouses of 100% disabled veterans get?Spouses and children of disabled veterans may be eligible for reimbursement for inpatient and outpatient services, prescription medications, medical equipment, nursing care, and mental health care as long as the following remains true: The veteran and their spouse remain married.
Do Dependants get VA healthcare?If you're the spouse, surviving spouse, dependent child, or family caregiver of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for health care benefits. In certain cases, you may also qualify for health care benefits due to a disability related to your Veteran's service.
Do dependents of disabled veterans get benefits?As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training.
Can I add my child to my VA health insurance?Q: Am I eligible to add dependents to my VA compensation benefits? If you have a 30% or higher disability rating from VA, you can add your dependents to your disability compensation benefits. Adding dependents to your benefits means you may be eligible for a higher disability payment, also known as a “benefit rate.”
Can dependents of 100 disabled veterans fly space A?No dependents: The authorization for Space-A travel for 100% disabled veterans does not allow spouses or dependents of disabled veterans to travel Space-A. For your spouse or dependents to travel Space-A, they will need to be independently eligible for Space-A.
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