You can receive both VA disability and SSDI, but the two programs work independently and one does not reduce the other
VA disability and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are separate federal programs with different rules, different approval processes, and different payment amounts. Receiving a VA disability rating does not automatically disqualify you from SSDI, and receiving SSDI does not reduce your VA payment. However, the way you report income and the way the programs count your work history differ significantly, so you will need to understand how each one treats the other.
The key difference: VA disability is based on a service-connected injury or illness, while SSDI is based on your work history and current inability to work. You can have both if you meet the separate requirements for each. Many veterans do receive both payments simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
- VA disability payments do not count as income when you apply for SSDI, so receiving VA benefits will not reduce your SSDI amount or disqualify you.
- You must have a VA disability rating and a separate SSDI approval; one does not lead to the other automatically.
- If you receive SSDI and then earn work income, you must report it to Social Security, but VA disability payments are never affected by how much you earn.
- The VA uses a different disability standard than Social Security, so you can be approved by one program and denied by the other.
- If you receive both, you will have two separate payment dates and two separate case managers to contact with questions.
How VA disability and SSDI treat each other's payments
When you apply for SSDI, Social Security will ask about other income sources. VA disability payments are not counted as income for SSDI purposes. This means your VA payment does not reduce your SSDI amount, and it does not make you ineligible for SSDI based on income limits.
The reverse is also true: SSDI payments do not reduce your VA disability payment. The VA does not count SSDI as income that would lower your rating or monthly amount. Each program pays you independently.
However, if you work while receiving SSDI, you must report your earnings to Social Security. Work income can trigger the trial work period or affect your SSDI payment. VA disability has no work restrictions—you can earn any amount without affecting your VA payment.
Why you might be approved for one program but not the other
VA disability and SSDI use different standards to measure disability. The VA rates disabilities on a scale from 0 to 100 percent based on how much the condition reduces your ability to work and function. A 30 percent VA rating means the VA has found a service-connected condition that causes some functional loss, but you may still be able to work.
SSDI requires that you be unable to work at all—or unable to work and earn more than a certain monthly amount—for at least 12 months or until death. You can have a VA disability rating and still be found capable of substantial work by Social Security. Conversely, you can be denied a VA rating (or receive a low rating) and still meet SSDI's standard for total disability.
The conditions themselves also matter differently. The VA focuses on whether the condition is service-connected. SSDI focuses on whether any condition—service-connected or not—prevents you from working. A back injury from military service might may have access to for VA disability but not SSDI if you can still perform some work. A non-service-connected condition like diabetes might may have access to for SSDI but not VA disability.
The application process for each program
You apply to the VA and Social Security separately. There is no single application that covers both.
For VA disability, you file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs. You can do this online through VA.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. The VA will request your military records and medical evidence. Processing typically takes three to six months, though complex cases take longer.
For SSDI, you apply through Social Security. You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Social Security will ask about your work history, your medical condition, and any treatment records. Processing typically takes three to six months as well, though initial denials are common and many people appeal.
You do not need to wait for a VA decision before applying for SSDI, and you do not need SSDI approval to apply for VA disability. You can file both claims at the same time.
What documents you will need for each application
| VA Disability Claim | SSDI Application |
|---|---|
| Discharge papers (DD Form 214) | Social Security card or number |
| Military service records | Birth certificate |
| Medical records related to service-connected condition | Work history for the past 15 years |
| Current treatment records from VA or private providers | Medical records for your condition |
| Names and dates of any VA exams you have had | Names and addresses of doctors and hospitals who have treated you |
How your work history affects each program differently
SSDI is based entirely on your work history. To may have access to, you must have worked long enough and recently enough to have earned enough Social Security credits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before you became disabled. One credit equals roughly $1,550 in earnings (this amount changes yearly).
VA disability has no work history requirement. You do not need to have worked at all. The only requirement is that you have a service-connected disability rated by the VA.
If you receive SSDI and then return to work, you enter a trial work period where you can earn money without losing benefits. After the trial work period ends, your SSDI payment will stop if you earn more than the substantial gainful activity limit (roughly $1,550 per month in 2024, though this changes yearly). VA disability payments continue regardless of how much you earn.
If you are denied by one program, what to do next
A denial from the VA does not affect your SSDI case, and a denial from Social Security does not affect your VA case. You can appeal each denial separately.
For VA disability, you can file a Notice of Disagreement within one year of the denial. The VA will review your case again. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The entire process can take one to three years.
For SSDI, you can request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial. If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Many people are approved at the hearing stage after being denied initially. The entire process can take one to two years.
If you were denied SSDI but approved for VA disability, you can mention your VA rating in your SSDI appeal. While it does not may provide approval, it can provide medical evidence that supports your case. Similarly, if you were denied VA disability but approved for SSDI, your SSDI approval shows that Social Security found you unable to work, which can support a VA appeal.
Managing two separate payments and two separate case managers
Once you are receiving both VA disability and SSDI, you will have two separate monthly payments deposited on different dates. The VA typically pays on the first of the month. Social Security typically pays on the third, fourth, or fifth of the month, depending on your birth date.
You will also have two separate case managers and two separate systems to contact with questions. Changes to your address, direct deposit, or contact information must be reported to both the VA and Social Security separately. If your medical condition changes or you have new treatment, you may need to report it to both programs, though the reporting requirements differ.
The VA may periodically review your disability rating to see if it should increase, decrease, or stay the same. Social Security conducts periodic reviews to see if you are still unable to work. These reviews happen on different schedules and use different standards, so you could have your VA rating increase while your SSDI case is under review, or vice versa.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I get a VA disability rating, will Social Security automatically approve me for SSDI?
No. A VA disability rating does not automatically lead to SSDI approval. You must apply to Social Security separately and meet their standard for total disability. However, your VA rating and medical records can support your SSDI application if you choose to mention them.
Will my VA payment go down if I receive SSDI?
No. VA disability payments are independent of SSDI. Receiving SSDI does not reduce your VA payment, and your VA payment does not count against you when Social Security calculates your SSDI amount.
Can I work if I receive both VA disability and SSDI?
You can earn any amount without affecting your VA disability payment. However, if you work while receiving SSDI, your earnings may trigger the trial work period or reduce your SSDI payment once you exceed the substantial gainful activity limit. Report all work income to Social Security.
What if I am approved for VA disability but denied for SSDI?
You can appeal the SSDI denial. Request reconsideration within 60 days, and if denied again, request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Your VA disability rating and medical records can support your appeal, though they do not may provide approval.
Do I have to tell the VA if I receive SSDI?
You do not have to report SSDI to the VA, and it will not affect your VA disability rating or payment. However, if your condition changes or you receive new treatment, you should report that to the VA if it relates to your service-connected disability.