After more than a decade at war in various locations throughout the world, the United States is dialing back on many military efforts that had previously been fought on a large scale. Throughout the country, including in the Los Angeles area, men and women who served in military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan are now home and trying to readjust to civilian life.
However, there are thousands of military veterans who suffered such grievous injuries in their service to their country that they may not be able to find employment. In fact, they may not even be able to work at all. As many of our readers already know, being unable to work due to a disability is the prerequisite to receiving Social Security Disability benefits. But can former members of the military receive SSD benefits at the same time they receive veteran’s benefits?
The answer is “yes,” as long as the former service member meets all of the requirements for Social Security benefits for injury. Veteran’s benefits are often paid out to individuals who may only have a partial disability. These individuals are usually able to gain employment in some form. However, if the veteran’s disability is severe – so severe that the individual is unable to work in any form – that individual may be able to qualify for SSD benefits.
Our country owes a great debt to those individuals who take it upon themselves to serve our nation. Qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits when it counts can make a difference in the lives of these veterans.
Source: SSA.gov, “Can I qualify for Social Security disability benefits if I get veterans’ benefits?,” Accessed June 27, 2015
