Social Security benefits do count as income with respect to eligibility for VA health benefits. Survivor benefits and lump sum death benefits from Social Security also count. Deducting medical expenses from countable income There’s one more thing to know about how the VA evaluates your income.
Does Social Security disability count as income for VA benefits?
However, unlike the Social Security Retirement program and the Social Security Disability program, any SSI benefits you receive do not count as part of your income to determine your eligibility for VA Pension benefits or your VA Pension benefit amount.
What are the considerations for VA and Social Security benefits?
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 requirements and their benefits are a percentage of what you get. If your VA or Social Security benefits are reduced, their amounts are reduced too.
Does my income affect my VA health insurance?
Though VA health care isn't the same as an insurance policy, it will cover many of the medical expenses a veteran and his family members incur. If you qualify for VA healthcare, your income may affect the level of coverage you receive. To qualify for VA health care services, you must have been an active member of the military.
Can my spouse get VA and Social Security 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 requirements and their benefits are a percentage of what you get.
What counts as income for VA benefits?
The same types of income accepted by the VA for medical benefits apply to pension benefits as well. These include wages such as those earned from a job or jobs, money awarded in court settlements, alimony payments, or other forms of monetary payment for goods or services.
Is Social Security included in total countable income for VA pension?
If you receive Social Security retirement benefits or Social Security Disability benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs considers your benefits to be part of your countable income when determining your eligibility to receive VA Pension benefits.
What disqualifies you from VA benefits?
If you're a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don't qualify for VA health care.
What is considered countable income for VA pension?
The VA uses a general rule of thumb of an $80,000 Net Worth Limitation for all three levels. The VA considers all Countable Income allowable by Federal law. This includes income received by the veteran and his or her dependents (if living in the home), if any, from most sources.
Can you get Social Security and VA pension at the same time?
Because of their similar nature, disabled veterans may be unsure whether they can collect Social Security and VA pension benefits simultaneously. Yes, you can. However, the amount you receive in VA pension benefits could be offset by SSD benefits.
What is the VA 5 year rule?
The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.
Do veterans get free healthcare for life?
You can get free VA health care for any illness or injury that we determine is related to your military service (called “service connected”). We also provide certain other services for free.
Can you lose VA medical benefits?
If you're in one of the lower priority groups, you could lose your VA health care benefits in the future. If you don't keep your private insurance, this would leave you without health coverage.
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...