The relationship between social security benefits and your veterans disability compensation is confusing. The social security administration (SSA) provides several benefits, which interact with your veterans compensation in different ways. One of these benefits, supplemental security income (SSI), is a needs based program, so it is affected by veterans benefits compensation. But other benefits, such as social security disability insurance (SSDI) payments and social security retirement, are not affected by your veterans disability compensation.
Disabled veterans sometimes find themselves fighting on two fronts: one against the Veterans Administration, and the other against the Social Security Administration. At Jackson & MacNichol, we have a proven track record of helping disabled veterans get the compensation they deserve from both the VA and the SSA. If you have been denied benefits from either administration, we can help. Call us today at 800-524-3339 for a free consultation.
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. This means that, in addition to showing that you are disabled, blind, or of minimum age, you will also need to demonstrate financial need.
In 2019, the monthly income limit for obtaining SSI was $771 for a single person or $1,157 for a couple. However, because the SSA allows for some income exemptions, an individual can earn up to $1,600 per month and still receive a very small amount of SSI monthly benefits. Wages from a job and the money you receive from your VA disability compensation are all considered income for the purposes of calculating your SSI eligibility. But payments for medical care and housing assistance that are provided by the VA are not generally counted towards your income.
Other Social Security Administration benefits are not affected by your veterans benefits. Your social security retirement and your social security disability insurance (SSDI), for example, are not given to you because you have a financial need. They are given to you because throughout your life you have contributed towards the social security fund by paying FICA taxes. Therefore, the SSA does not consider your monthly income when giving you these benefits. Your veterans disability compensation will neither affect your eligibility for these programs, nor the amount of benefits you receive.
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. If your application for one of these benefits has been denied, the veterans compensation lawyers of Jackson & MacNichol can help. Call us today at 800-524-3339 and we will give you a free consultation about your options and help you to get justice.
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