
Can veteran receive both VA and Social Security benefits?
Veterans may be permitted to draw both VA and SSA benefits, but depending on the SSA program you enroll in, you may or may not have your Social Security benefit amount reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount of your VA disability pay (subject to a small exemption).
Can debt collector take my social security or VA benefits?
Generally no, debt collectors can’t take your social security or VA benefits directly out of your bank account or prepaid card. After a debt collector sues you for the debt and wins a judgment, it can get a court order for your bank or credit union to turn over money from your account or prepaid card.
Can I receive VA DIC and Social Security benefits?
Since income does not matter for DIC benefits, receipt of Social Security benefits will not affect your DIC eligibility. If you prove to VA that you are entitled to DIC benefits, you should draw your benefit from Social Security and your DIC benefit as well. This is the way it should be.
Does VA disability affect SSDI?
SSDI only counts earned income; therefore, VA disability benefits have no effect on entitlement to SSDI. However, SSI is need-based; any contribution from VA disability benefits will count towards income for the month. The income limit for SSI for 2018 is $750 per month.

Can you collect veterans benefits and Social Security at the same time?
Can I collect both Social Security disability benefits and VA disability compensation? Yes, military veterans who become disabled during their service can collect disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation at the same time.
How does VA disability affect Social Security?
SSDI only counts earned income; therefore, VA disability benefits have no effect on entitlement to SSDI. However, SSI is need-based; any contribution from VA disability benefits will count towards income for the month. The income limit for SSI for 2018 is $750 per month.
Are VA benefits considered income?
Disability benefits you receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) aren't taxable. You don't need to include them as income on your tax return. Tax-free disability benefits include: disability compensation and pension payments for disabilities paid either to veterans or their families.
How much extra do veterans get for Social Security?
The average monthly Social Security benefit for veterans is $1,008 compared with $892 for male nonveterans (see Table 3). Among persons aged 62–74, monthly Social Security benefits average $1,028 for veterans and $957 for male nonveterans.
Do you have to report VA disability to Social Security?
If you receive VA compensation, this will not affect your Social Security benefits.
At what age does VA disability stop?
age 67When veterans reach age 67, all VA disability payments would revert to the amount associated with the rated disability level; veterans age 67 or older who are already receiving IU payments would no longer receive them after the effective date of the option.
Do veterans get paid for life?
The SSA evaluates military records when claimants apply for benefits, and qualifying veterans can get a lifetime earnings credit for wages during service. Eligibility is based on length of service.
Do you pay taxes on VA pension?
VA pension benefits are tax-free and can help you supplement your income or that of your surviving spouse and/or unmarried dependent child or children. Applying is free—there is no charge to help you receive benefits you may have earned for your service.
How does my military retirement affect my Social Security?
Your military pension does not affect your Social Security benefits. You'll get your full Social Security benefit based on your earnings. Survivors benefits may affect benefits payable under the optional Department of Defense Survivors Benefit Plan.
VA Service Connected Disability
If you’re getting VA benefits due to a service-connected disability, your payment amounts won’t affect your Social Security benefits. Conversely, y...
VA Non-Service Connected Disability
If you’re a veteran getting VA benefits because of a non-service related disability, your Social Security benefits are not affected. However, your...
VA Benefits and Supplemental Security Income
Whether you’re getting service or non-service connected benefits from the VA, your supplemental security income benefits will be reduced or you may...
Considerations and Additional Benefits
If you have a spouse and/or dependent children, they may be eligible for VA and Social Security benefits as well. They have to meet eligibility req...
Changes in Treatment of Disabled Vets Receiving VA Benefits
Previously, a high disability rating from the VA could help an applicant obtain benefits through the Social Security Administration. In 2017, the federal government issued new regulations announcing that it would no longer give significant weight to VA disability ratings when considering whether someone is eligible for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Ask an Attorney if Receiving VA Benefits Affects Your Ability to Collect Social Security Benefits
If you are a disabled veteran, you could be entitled to benefits through both the VA and the Social Security Administration. That being said, the full amount of benefits you are entitled to could differ significantly between each disability program.
Can I Get TDIU Benefits and Retirement Benefits?
Total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits are for veterans who cannot keep or obtain gainful employment. You are eligible if you are unemployed because of your service-connected mental and/or physical disabilities.
Do P&T Benefits Affect Retirement Benefits?
TDIUbenefits can be granted as temporary or permanent. Your rating decision letter will indicate if your TDIU benefits are permanent.
Can I Get Military Retirement Pay and Retirement Benefits?
Military retirement pay after 20 years or more of service. The pay is based on your length of time in service and is calculated at 2.5% times your highest 36 months of basic pay. Military retirement benefits are taxable while VA disability benefits and VA pensions are not.
Can I Get SMC and Retirement Benefits?
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) benefits are available to veterans, spouses of veterans, surviving spouses of veterans, and parents of veterans with certain needs or disabilities. Veterans who have lost or lost the use of specific organs or body parts are eligible for SMC benefits.
The Future of Veterans Benefits
If you follow the news, you may have heard about an idea that would let veterans benefits expire at retirement. Another effort would permanently preserve them. Both ideas have been discussed in different forms many times before, but so far neither has come to pass.
How Woods and Woods Can Help
If you are unsure about your eligibility for any type of VA disability compensation, we can help. Navigating the world of VA benefits is confusing enough without navigating the world of Social Security and retirement too. We can help you file an initial VA disability claim at no charge, and we only charge a fee if we win your appeal.
SSI Is a Needs Based Program That Is Reduced By Your Disability Compensation
As a general rule, needs based benefits such as Supplemental Security Income or even the VA’s own non-service connected pension, are reduced by any income you receive, which includes a veteran’s service connected disability compensation. SSI is a program aimed at helping people with limited income who are disabled, blind, or over the age of 64.
A Disability Benefits Lawyer Can Help Maximize Your Compensation
If you are a disabled veteran, you may be eligible for several different types of benefits from the Veterans Administration and the Social Security Administration. Applying for and keeping track of these benefits can be challenge in itself, but if your benefits have been denied you may not know what to do.
What is VA disability?
VA Benefits For disability benefits through the VA, also known as service-connected disability, the applicant must show that they have a disabling condition that was “incurred or aggravated by their military service.1” 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.
What is the VA number for homelessness?
If you, or a Veteran you know, is experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, make the call to 877-4AID-VET (424-3838) to access 24/7 confidential support and connect with VA services.
Can a veteran receive a death benefit if he died from a service connected condition?
If you show that your veteran’s death was from a service connected condition, you should qualify for and receive these benefits. It is important to clarify that the “no time limits” rule really only applies to a surviving spouse. If you are a surviving child, there are time limits that may apply.
Does Social Security affect DIC?
Since income does not matter for DIC benefits, receipt of Social Security benefits will not affect your DIC eligibility. If you prove to VA that you are entitled to DIC benefits, you should draw your benefit from Social Security and your DIC benefit as well. This is the way it should be.
Can you still get DIC benefits?
You can still qualify for DIC benefits because this particular program is not based on income, needs, or assets. Many survivors of veterans get confused about this issue because of a separate VA program known as survivor’s pension. That program is based on your income and assets. Because the DIC program focuses on whether a veteran died as ...
Do survivors of a veteran receive Social Security?
Survivors of a deceased veteran often receive some sort of payment from the Social Security Administration. Some receive widow or widower’s benefits. Some receive retirement benefits or Social Security benefits. Sometimes, Social Security benefits are based on the earnings of the survivor.
Can a veteran die from a service connected condition?
Certain survivors of a veteran can qualify for DIC benefits when a veteran dies as a result of a service connected condition or a condition. This service connection can be demonstrated before or after the veterans death. Also, certain survivors may qualify for DIC benefits regardless of the reason that the veteran died if ...
Can a survivor receive a DIC and Social Security?
Other times, the survivor draws them based on the veteran’s earnings. Many survivors do not know that they can receive both DIC benefits and Social Security benefits at the same time. They receive DIC benefits because the death is service connected and Social Security benefits for a separate reason (retirement, disability, etc.). ...
What do I need to know about VA and Social Security?
What do I need to know about the VA and Social Security programs? Both Social Security and VA pay disability benefits. However, their programs, processes, and criteria for receiving benefits are very different. A VA compensation rating of 100% Permanent and Total does not guarantee that you will receive Social Security disability benefits.
Does VA compensation affect Social Security?
Your medical condition (s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least one year or to result in death. If you receive VA compensation, this will not affect your Social Security benefits.
Does VA compensation guarantee disability?
A VA compensation rating of 100% Permanent and Total does not guarantee that you will receive Social Security disability benefits. To be approved for Social Security benefits, you must meet Social Security’s definition of "disability.". To be found disabled:
What is SSI for disabled people?
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a program that provides income support to people with disabilities, people age 65 or older, or blind, who have low income and resources. U.S. Treasury general funds, not the Social Security trust funds, pay for SSI.
How many credits do you need to get Social Security?
A worker earns up to four Social Security credits each year and needs 40 credits, or 10 years of work, to qualify for retirement benefits. It’s vital that you work at least 10 years to qualify for Social Security benefits to be based on your own work record.
When do parents apply for social security?
We are with you from day one when your parents named you, and when you named your children. Most parents apply for their child’s Social Security number at birth, usually through the hospital. When the time comes for your child’s first job, the number is already in place.
Can widows receive survivors benefits?
Some widows, widowers, and children may receive survivors benefits to help them cope with the financial loss. The number of credits needed to provide benefits for survivors depends on the worker’s age when he or she dies.
