This is why I say that SSDI is 'time limited'. 

Many veterans wait for a VA decision, or they wait too long to file and go out of being insured. Do not wait to file for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)!

In addition to meeting Social Security's definition of disability (which is not the same as the VA's), you must have worked long enough—and recently enough—under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Social Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four credits each year.

The amount needed for a credit changes from year to year. In 2025, you earn one Social Security or Medicare credit for every $1,530 in covered earnings each year. You must earn $6,120 to get the maximum four credits for the year1.

The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled1. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

Remember that whatever your age is, you must have earned the required number of work credits within a certain period ending with the time you become disabled. If you qualify now but you stop working under Social Security, you may not continue to meet the disability work requirement in the future, thus, the insurance coverage you paid into while working will expire1.

Please note that some SSA operators and employees will tell you that you are not eligible when in fact you may be. The SSA looks at the date you became totally disabled to the point where you cannot maintain gainful activity1. That may not be known to the employee, so their pat answer is you are no longer eligible. In fact, unless you put the proper date of disability on your SSDI application (and in some cases even if you do), you can be denied initially1. This is why a personal statement sent in with your SSDI claim is important. This statement outlines the when and why you are disabled1.

For your specific work credits and to see if you are currently insured for SSDI, look up your account at the MY SS website: www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

DEFINITION OF DISABILITY

VA Benefits

For disability benefits through the VA, also known as service-connected disability, the applicant must show that they have a disabling condition that was “incurred or aggravated by their military service.1” The compensation rates are paid on a graduated scale, based on the degree of a Veteran’s disability, ranging from 10 to 100 percent, in 10 percent increments. 

SSA Benefits 

Alternatively, the definition of disability for SSI/SSDI does not require the Veteran’s disability to be linked to their military service, does not take into account a Veteran’s discharge status, and does not pay on a graduated scale. For SSI/SSDI, the Veteran needs to show:

1. Evidence of a physical or mental health condition, which results in functional impairments that limit their ability to work at a substantial gainful level (quantified as $1,620/month in 2025 ).

2. That the disabling condition has lasted, or is expected to last, for 12 months or end in death.

SSA EXPEDITED PROCESSING FOR VETERANS

Veterans may qualify for programs from SSA that expedite disability decisions:

1. 100% Permanent and Total Veterans Initiative In March 2014, SSA introduced a new initiative to expedite the processing of applications from Veterans who have a 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disability rating from the VA. To receive expedited processing, Veterans should identify themselves as a “Veteran rated 100% P&T” when initiating the SSI/SSDI application, and should provide the VA rating notification letter to SSA.

2. Wounded Warriors Veterans who received disabling mental or physical health injuries while on active duty on or after October 1, 2001 are eligible for expedited SSI/SSDI application processing. The injury does not need to have occurred during combat operations. When initiating the SSI/SSDI application, Veterans should inform SSA that their injury occurred while on active duty.

3. When filing for SSDI make sure you include all VA disability determination letters, a copy of your Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam results and a personal statement on how ALL your disabilities affect you on a daily basis and how they affect your ability to work. Include statements from co-workers and family or have them fill out a

HOW SSA AND VA DISABILITY BENEFITS IMPACT ONE ANOTHER

Veterans who receive a partial VA disability rating and limited VA benefits, may also receive SSA benefits. For cash benefits, the receipt of VA benefits will affect SSI and SSDI differently. 

SSI

For example, Paul receives partial VA benefits of $400 per month, and has been approved for SSI. The following table illustrates how the VA benefits will affect his SSI cash benefit:

Paul's Case

VA Monthly Disability Benefit Amount=$400

   General Exclusion=-$20

Income Used For Eligibility=$380

SSI Benefit Amount (2025)=$967

Monthly SSI Amount=$967 - $380 = $587

SSDI

SSDI benefits are not affected by unearned income through VA benefits. For example, Jane receives partial VA benefits of $400 per month1. Because she worked and paid into the Social Security system, she now receives $850 per month in SSDI. Her VA and SSDI monthly benefit amounts will be added together.

The monthly level of substantial gainful activity for 2024 is $1,620/month (non-Blind) and $2,700/month (Blind).  If you earn over $1,110/month you will be placed on Trial Work Period (TWP).

Each month your gross earnings (your earnings before taxes) are greater than $1,160/mo (in 2025) is called a Trial Work month. The 5-year period in which you are allowed 9 Trial Work months without losing your SSDI benefits is called the 5-year window. 

Note: Before you start working, you should check with Social Security or a benefits planner to see if you've already used up any Trial Work months. You may have used up some or all of your Trial Work months in the past and not realize it. 

Jane's Case

VA Monthly Disability Benefit Amount=$400

SSDI Benefit Amount=$850

Total Monthly Income=$400 + $850 = $1,250

SS Retirement and SSDI

If you are collecting SS Retirement you cannot also collect SSDI.

How to file for SSDI

Review the SSA Blue Book Listing of Impairments - Adult Listings (Part A) (ssa.gov) 

In order to file for SSDI fill out a SSA-16 Application for Disability Insurance Benefits, call your local Social Security Office or file online here: https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityonline/  

You will need to fill out a SSA-3373-BK Function Report – Adult

You will also be filing a SSA-3369-BK Work History Report

You can also help your claim by having a spouse, family member or co-worker fill out a SSA-3380-BK Function Report - Adult - Third Party Form

More information about SSA expedited processing can be found at: www.socialsecurity.gov/veterans