People don’t usually think of Veterans when they think of people who get Social Security benefits, but they make up a big part of those who get benefits in the country. Veterans of war can get important benefits through Social Security.
These benefits work with disability payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Those veterans who are disabled may be able to get both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and VA benefits.
Because these systems are so complicated, it’s not a surprise that a lot of people don’t know what benefits they are eligible for or when they can get them. Both programs offer financial help, but the requirements and qualifications for each are different.
People who are disabled because of their active duty can get their SSDI application processed faster by telling the government about their condition, which makes it even harder to make estimates.
What are the main benefits that veterans would receive from Social Security in 2025?
There are a few main things that veterans would get from Social Security in 2025.
- If you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and can’t work because of a disability, you can get money from SSDI. Sometimes, veterans have to quit their jobs because of injuries they got while serving, and they need these benefits to stay alive. The amount they get paid can range from $800 to $1,000, depending on their past, how bad their disability is, and how much care they need.
- If you are a disabled veteran over the age of 65 or a veteran, you can also ask for SSI help. Not everyone can get this benefit because the people who can have it have incomes that don’t go over a certain monthly limit.
- People who want to get this benefit will have to go through more financial checks to make sure they stay below the limit and keep their finances in good enough shape to keep getting it. The goal is for veterans to no longer need SSI, so this program helps them find a new job by giving them tools for the job market. In other words, people who can still work will be given extra help to find regular jobs.
How do these complement a VA pension?
These benefits will go along with Veterans Pension benefits, which have their own complicated rules about who can get them. To get a VA pension, you must:
- Have received an honorable discharge AND
- Have a yearly family income and net worth that is below a certain limit set by Congress. Net worth includes all personal property you own (except your house, your car, and most home furnishings), minus any debt you owe. Net worth also includes the net worth of your spouse.
Even if you meet these requirements, you still need to meet one more about your service to be eligible:
- Started on active duty before September 8, 1980, and served at least 90 days on active duty with at least 1 day during wartime, or
- Started on active duty as an enlisted person after September 7, 1980, and served at least 24 months or the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty (with some exceptions) with at least 1 day during wartime, or
- Were an officer and started on active duty after October 16, 1981, and you hadn’t previously served on active duty for at least 24 months
For those who fulfill at least one of these requirements, there is an additional condition they have to meet:
- Be at least 65 years old, or
- Have a permanent and total disability, or
- Be a patient in a nursing home for long-term care because of a disability, or
- Be entitled to get SSDI or SSI
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