It is feasible to obtain benefits from both the SSA and the VA at the same time because these two agencies are fully independent of one another. However, even veterans who receive 100% disability benefits from the VA are often denied by Social Security, so it is best to consult an attorney before applying.

It is possible for handicapped veterans to receive both SSA and VA disability benefits at the same time if they qualify. Your disability claim for Social Security may even be strengthened if you are approved for VA benefits. 

Since the SSA will be aware of the favorable ruling from the other government program, your chances of ever returning to the workforce will decrease. If you can’t decide what to do, this article might help.

Can a 100 Disabled Veteran Draw Social Security?

Suppose your condition is listed in the Blue Book as a disability that can be expected to last at least 12 months. In that case, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.

A medical reference book called “The Blue Book” is used by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Social Security Administration takes into account any preexisting ailment. Still, the Department of Veterans Affairs only pays for those that are service-related.

Your condition can have arisen before or after your military duty; it doesn’t need to be related to your service. In addition to your service-connected disability, the SSA will consider any other serious health conditions you may have, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

For Social Security Disability Payments, you must have a medical condition that is listed in the Blue Book.

The Social Security Administration refers to the Blue Book (SSA) as a reference tool. The Social Security Administration takes into account any preexisting ailment. Still, the Department of Veterans Affairs only pays for those that are service-related.

Your medical issue is not required to be related to your time spent in military service; it can be something you encountered or developed after leaving the service. In addition to your service-connected disability, the SSA will also consider any other serious health conditions you may have, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Does My Military Retirement Count as Income for Social Security?

Pay received as a result of age or term of service in the military is considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service. A Retiree’s contributions to the Survivors Benefit Plan (SBP) are excluded from gross income. Unlike civilian pensions, military pensions are not subject to Social Security payroll taxes (also known as Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes) because they are not considered earned income.

Suppose you retire from the Army based on years of service and later receive a retroactive service-connected disability rating from the VA. In that case, your Army retirement pay is not considered income up to the amount of VA disability benefits to which you would be eligible. You can get a refund on the taxes you paid on the excludable amount by filing an amended return on Form 1040x for each prior year within the retroactive period (subject to the statute of limitations).

Suppose you get a disability severance payment in a lump sum and are later approved for VA disability payments. You can deduct the entire payment from your taxable income in that case. Even if the VA issues a retroactive disability rating, you must still report any readjustment or other non-disability severance payments you received upon separation from active duty.

How Much is Social Security for Disabled Veterans?

Your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) monthly benefit amount is calculated using your average lifetime earnings from qualifying jobs. To repeat, the SSA does not differentiate between degrees of disability. During the month of September 2022, the typical SSDI payment was $1,363.

To get disability benefits from the VA, your condition must be rated as severe or higher. For a service member who is single and has no dependents, monthly compensation in 2022 can range from $152.64 for a 10% handicap to $3,332.06 for a 100% disability.

However, the VA won’t always use your disability rating to calculate your benefits. Suppose you have a rating lower than 100 percent but are still unable to maintain financially stable employment due to your service-related disability. In that case, you may be eligible for the VA’s Individual Unemployability benefit, which pays at the 100 percent rate.

Does Disability Pay More Than Social Security?

Suppose you delay receiving your Social Security payments after you meet your FRA. In that case, the amount you receive will increase by 0.8% per month. At age 70, your benefit will increase to its maximum amount. Here, your monthly Social Security payment would exceed your disability payment.

Payments from the various Social Security Disability Insurance systems are compared as well. Both SSI and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) are included in these packages. Individuals who are disabled and have a need for supplemental income are eligible to receive SSDI payments. Individuals with low incomes and few assets, such as disabled children and elderly people, are eligible to receive SSI payments.

Suppose you’re trying to decide between SSDI and regular Social Security. In that case, you should know that the latter normally offers a higher monthly payment. In this case, disablement payments are typically greater than twice as large as SSI payments. However, outcomes can vary depending on the specifics of each case.

However, if you want to know if disability would pay more, you need to consider your age in relation to retirement age.

Disabling conditions are more severe if you fall below it. Your monthly Social Security payment will be higher if your income exceeds the threshold. Knowing all of your options is the key to a positive experience with Social Security, just as it is with any other aspect of the program.

What is the Highest Amount Social Security Disability Pays?

Towards the end of 2021, the average SSDI payment for a handicapped worker was $1,358.30 per month, as reported by the Social Security Administration. Eighty-five percent of recipients have monthly benefits of less than $2,000 as of December 2021. The highest possible monthly benefit in 2022 is $3,345.

The amount of Social Security taxes withheld from your paychecks each month will serve as the basis for your monthly SSDI benefit payment.

Your initial disability payout will be based on your AIME for the years you worked between turning 22 and the year before your impairment began. Not all of your working years will be put to use because you might not have had enough time to achieve higher income years.

What is the Monthly Amount for Social Security Disability 2022?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program run by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that helps disabled people financially, regardless of whether or not they have worked in the past. The government determines the benefit amounts regardless of the recipient’s past income. The federal SSI benefit rate for an individual in 2022 is $841, while the amount for a couple is $1,261.