VETERANS AND SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

Disabled veterans often qualify for Social Security disability benefits in addition to their VA benefits.

Here's a quick checklist of facts for US veterans:

1.  Veterans paid into Social Security out of every paycheck.

2.  Veterans are covered by both VA and SSDI benefits.

3.  Getting a Social Security benefit does not, in any way, reduce or compromise your full VA benefit or military retirement pay.

4.  VA and Social Security have different rules and different systems.  SSDI is not automatic when you get approved for a VA benefit.

5.  Social Security disability requires a separate application and, often, a separate appeal process.

6.  Social Security disability can pay up to $3,011 per month.  The actual benefit is based on your lifetime earnings.

7.  Veterans, like everyone else, often get denied on the first try.  An appeal will likely be necessary to get approved.

8.  Unlike VA disability, Social Security has no degrees or percentages of disability.  You are either disabled or not disabled, nothing between.

9.  You have the right to an advocate/attorney to represent you.  You cannot be charged any legal fees unless you are approved and receive back pay from Social Security.

10.  Veterans do have some special rules with Social Security that may be helpful.

• If you have a 100 percent permanent, total VA disability rating, you are entitled to expedited review at Social Security.
• You may be able to apply for SSDI benefits while still receiving active duty pay under some circumstances.

My firm has successfully represented hundreds of veterans in Social Security disability claims and appeals here in Huntsville and north Alabama. Most of our clients come to us as referrals from clients we have previously represented over the years.  We are grateful for this trust.