How to Qualify for Veterans Benefits While on Social Security

You can qualify for veterans benefits while on Social Security.

If you served in the United States military and you have a disability, then you might be eligible for veterans benefits through the VA. If you are already receiving disability benefits from Social Security, you can still quality for disability benefits through the VA. How much you can receive from each institution, however, is affected by what type of VA benefits you qualify for.

Instructions

1. Have a service-connected disability in order to qualify for VA compensation. VA compensation is based on disabilities that you acquired while in military service.

2. Have a countable family income that is below a yearly limit set by law, have a non-service-connected disability, and have served at least 90 days of active military service, one of which was during a war period, or be 65 or older in order to qualify for a VA pension.

3. Know that if you receive a VA compensation, it is not factored into your countable income by the Social Security Administration, but if you receive a VA pension, the Social Security amount you receive will be offset because the VA pension will be counted as your income.

Tips & Warnings

• If you entered active duty after September 7, 1980, generally you must have served at least 24 months, or the full period for which called or ordered to active duty, to be eligible for a VA pension, but there are exceptions to this rule.

• In order to qualify for veterans benefits, you cannot have been discharged from service under dishonorable conditions.

References

• VA: Veteran's Disability Compensation Eligibility
• VA: Veteran's Pension Eligibility
• Social Security Lawyer: Obtaining VA Benefits