Veterans

Published on: December 8, 2020

Can Veterans Recover Social Security Disability Benefits?

Members of the military may be eligible for both Social Security disability benefits and Veterans’ benefits from the Veterans’ Administration.

Veterans who are applying for benefits from the VA must show that their injuries are connected to their military duty. Benefits are paid by on a graduated scale depending on the severity of the disability. The Social Security Administration only requires you to prove that your injury or disability lasted for 12 months or is expected to last for at least 12 months or end in your death for you to qualify for benefits. Benefits are not linked to the duration of your service or whether your injury or disability is the result of your participation in combat duty. These are the key differences between disability benefits paid out by the Veterans Administration and the disability benefits paid out by the Social Security Administration under the Social Security Disability Insurance program.

Additionally, the Social Security Administration also provides for the expedited processing of claims of veterans who have suffered serious injuries or disabilities. For instance, the 100% Permanent and Total Veterans Initiative allows veterans who have a 100% disability rating from the Veterans Administration to have their disability claims processed quickly and without delay.

Published on: February 20, 2017

Are Non-US Citizens Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?

By Lisa Siegel

You don’t have to be a US citizen to be eligible for and receive Social Security disability benefits. Even non-US citizens may qualify for benefits.

If you are a permanent resident, but a non-citizen, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, because you have paid taxes into the Social Security system for the minimum number of years required to be eligible for benefits. Furthermore, if you are a non-citizen, but have served as an active member of the US military or are a veteran, you may also qualify for benefits.

Even if you are not a permanent resident, you may still continue to be eligible for benefits. Foreigners who are working inside the United States may qualify as long as they pay Social Security taxes. If you are a foreign student studying in the United States, however, you may not be eligible for benefits. Additionally, if you are in the United States on an exchange program, you may not be eligible for benefits because you are exempted from paying taxes into the Social Security system.

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Published on: December 14, 2012

Disabled Vets Support Bill to Help Speed up Veteran SSDI Payments

By Lisa Siegel

Disabled veterans groups are throwing their support behind a bill that would ease the process of Social Security Disability Insurance payments for injured veterans returning from combat duty.

The bill called the Recovering Service Members Disabilities Benefits Act would exempt veterans, including Reserve and National Guard service members who have suffered injury during combat from the 5-month waiting period that applies to veterans before they receive their Social Security Disability Insurance Payments. The bill is supported by the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, an organization of wounded veterans that is dedicated to helping injured veterans recover from the physical and emotional stresses of combat.

Social Security Disability benefits are in addition to disability benefits available through the Veterans Administration. Veterans may apply under both programs for benefits although the process for eligibility differs.

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