Many Veterans live with chronic physical or mental health conditions that limit their ability to work or perform daily tasks. For those with severe impairments, the question often arises: Can you receive both VA disability benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)? The answer is yes—but the programs are different in important ways, and qualifying for one doesn’t automatically mean you’ll qualify for the other.

Understanding the Two Programs

VA disability compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) both offer financial support to individuals with disabling conditions—but they do so in very different ways. Understanding how each program works is the first step to knowing whether you may qualify for one, the other, or both.

What Is VA Disability Compensation?

VA disability benefits are available to Veterans with service-connected physical or mental health conditions. Compensation is based on the VA’s rating system, ranging from 0% to 100%, and is designed to reflect how much your condition affects your average earning capacity—even if you’re still able to work. These benefits are not means-tested, so your income doesn’t affect eligibility. Depending on your rating, you may also qualify for additional benefits such as VA healthcare, vocational rehabilitation, or housing assistance.

What Is Social Security Disability Insurance?

SSDI is a federal insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It provides monthly benefits to individuals who have a qualifying disability and a sufficient work history. Unlike VA benefits, SSDI is not limited to Veterans and is based solely on your inability to work due to a disabling condition. To qualify, your condition must be expected to last at least one year or result in death, and you must have earned enough work credits through prior employment. SSDI comes with strict income rules but offers Medicare eligibility after a 24-month waiting period.

Key Differences Between VA Disability and SSDI

Although both VA disability compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provide financial support to individuals with disabling conditions, they operate under very different rules and systems. Understanding these key differences is essential for Veterans considering applying for both.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for VA disability compensation, you must be a Veteran with a diagnosed physical or mental health condition that is connected to your military service. This connection can be direct, secondary, presumptive, or due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The burden of proof lies in demonstrating that your disability is related to your service, even if the symptoms appeared years later.

SSDI, on the other hand, is not exclusive to Veterans. It’s available to anyone with a sufficient work history who becomes disabled and cannot engage in what the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines as substantial gainful activity (SGA). There is no requirement that your disability be service-connected—only that it is severe, long-term, and prevents you from working full time.

Rating vs. All-or-Nothing

One of the most significant differences between the two systems is how they evaluate the severity of your condition. The VA uses a percentage-based rating system, ranging from 0% to 100%, to reflect how much your disability impacts your earning capacity. You can receive compensation even at lower percentages, and multiple percentage rating are combined under the VA’s combined ratings table which is based on the whole person concept.

SSDI uses a binary standard. You are either disabled under SSA rules, or you are not. There is no partial benefit. This makes SSDI harder to qualify for in many cases, particularly for Veterans with moderate impairments that still allow some level of employment.

Income and Employment Rules

VA disability benefits are not means-tested. You can work while receiving VA compensation—even full-time—depending on your disability rating. Exceptions apply if you’re seeking Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), which has stricter employment limits or if you are rated 100% for mental health alone..

SSDI is more restrictive. If your income exceeds the SSA’s SGA threshold (currently over $1,500 per month for most individuals), you may be denied or lose benefits. Some work incentives and trial work periods exist, but generally, SSDI requires that you cannot engage in full-time, competitive employment due to your disability.

Can You Receive Both VA and SSDI?

The Short Answer: Yes

Yes, you can receive both VA disability compensation and SSDI at the same time. These programs are administered by separate federal agencies—the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration—and they operate independently. Receiving one benefit does not disqualify you from the other, and many Veterans qualify for and receive both.

How They Interact

Unlike some other government benefits, VA disability and SSDI do not offset each other. Your SSDI payment will not be reduced because you’re receiving VA compensation, and vice versa. This makes applying for both programs a potentially valuable strategy for Veterans with severe disabilities who meet both sets of criteria.

That said, applying for both can be complex. Each system has its own evidentiary standards, terminology, and application procedures. The VA focuses on whether your condition is connected to service and how severe it is; the SSA looks strictly at your ability to work and your medical limitations. The timelines also differ—VA claims can take months or years, especially if appeals are needed, while SSDI decisions often come faster but require very specific medical documentation.

Coordinating your claims—especially in terms of how your medical records are presented—can improve your chances of success in both systems. If you’re already receiving VA care, those records may help support an SSDI application. Likewise, if SSA finds you unable to work, that determination might be useful in supporting a TDIU claim or appeal through the VA.

Applying for both benefits can seem overwhelming, but with the right planning and support, it can significantly improve your financial stability and long-term care options.

How VA Disability and SSDI Influence Each Other

Although VA disability benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are administered by different federal agencies—and use separate eligibility standards—they can still influence one another in meaningful ways. If you’re applying for both, it’s important to understand how evidence from one system may impact the other, even if the benefits themselves are not directly linked.

How a VA Rating Can Support Your SSDI Claim

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not rely on VA disability ratings when making its decisions. SSDI operates under an all-or-nothing standard: you are either deemed totally disabled under their definition, or you’re not. There is no percentage-based system like the VA’s. That said, your VA rating can still serve as useful context—especially if it is 70% or higher or includes a finding of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

A high VA rating indicates the severity of your service-connected conditions and may reflect longstanding medical documentation. If you’re receiving TDIU, for example, the VA has already concluded that you are unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to your service-connected disabilities. While SSA will conduct its own analysis, the fact that another federal agency has recognized your inability to work can be persuasive—especially when supported by consistent medical evidence and employment history.

How SSDI May Strengthen a VA Claim or Appeal

While SSDI approval does not automatically entitle you to VA disability benefits, the evidence submitted as part of your SSDI application may help support your VA case—particularly if you’re appealing a denial or seeking a higher rating. This is especially true when SSA’s medical determinations document the extent of your physical or mental limitations in a way that aligns with VA diagnostic codes or rating criteria.

For instance, SSDI findings may validate the impact of functional limitations, chronic pain, or psychological conditions on your ability to work—details that can bolster arguments for a higher VA rating or for TDIU. In appeals, SSDI records sometimes provide the missing link that helps establish the true severity or long-term effects of a condition that the VA initially underrated.

No Financial Offset Between Programs

One key point: SSDI income does not reduce your VA disability compensation. These are independent programs, and receiving one does not disqualify you or diminish the financial support from the other. This makes pursuing both a valuable strategy for Veterans who meet each program’s criteria.

Together, a strong VA rating and an approved SSDI claim can create a comprehensive benefits package that reflects the full impact of your disability—legally, medically, and financially.

What About SSI?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program from the Social Security Administration designed for individuals with very limited income and resources. It differs from SSDI in several important ways. While SSDI is based on your work history and the severity of your disability, SSI eligibility is determined primarily by financial need. You must meet strict income and asset limits to qualify.

This is where VA disability compensation can affect your eligibility. SSI counts most types of income—including VA benefits—when determining whether you meet the financial criteria. If you receive even a modest amount of VA compensation each month, it may push you over the allowable limit, making you ineligible for SSI. Unlike SSDI, where your VA payments have no impact, SSI is more sensitive to other sources of support.

That said, there are limited scenarios where a Veteran may qualify for both programs. For example, if you have a 0% disability rating or receive only a small monthly VA benefit—such as under $100—you might still meet SSI’s income thresholds. This can also apply to Veterans with no other income or assets, especially if they live in high-cost areas or require substantial daily care.

Still, it’s rare. Most Veterans who qualify for meaningful VA compensation will not meet SSI’s financial criteria. However, if you’re unsure, it’s worth consulting with a qualified benefits representative who can assess your full financial picture and explain how your VA payments may interact with other needs-based programs.

How to Apply for Both Benefits Strategically

When you’re navigating both VA disability and Social Security Disability, timing and coordination matter. Each program has its own rules, timelines, and approval criteria, and approaching them strategically can make a big difference in how quickly you receive benefits—and how strong your applications are.

Start with the Program That Fits Your Situation

If your primary medical condition is clearly tied to your military service, it often makes sense to begin with a VA disability claim. The VA process allows you to establish service connection, receive a rating, and potentially qualify for additional benefits like VA healthcare or vocational rehabilitation. On the other hand, if your condition has resulted in a complete inability to work and you have a solid earnings history, SSDI may offer quicker financial relief—particularly because VA claims can take longer to process or require appeals.

Use Medical Evidence Across Both Claims

A key advantage of applying for both is that the medical evidence gathered for one claim can often be used to support the other. If you’re already receiving VA care, those treatment records can be used to help prove your SSDI case. Likewise, if you’re approved for SSDI, the SSA’s determination and underlying medical assessments may help strengthen a VA appeal or TDIU claim—particularly if they document work limitations or chronic impairments.

Work with the Right Legal Support

Just keep in mind that legal representation in one system doesn’t automatically carry over to the other. VA disability attorneys are accredited by the VA and typically don’t represent clients in SSDI claims unless they have separate authorization. If you’re pursuing both types of benefits, consider working with professionals who understand the unique requirements of each system and can help you avoid procedural mistakes or missed deadlines. Coordinated, well-supported claims have a much better chance of success—and often result in stronger outcomes on both sides.

Maximize What You’ve Earned

Many Veterans are eligible for both VA disability compensation and Social Security Disability—but each program has different rules, timelines, and medical standards. Knowing how they compare and how to apply strategically can help you secure the benefits you’re entitled to.

Whether you’re appealing a VA denial, applying for SSDI, or managing both systems at once, getting qualified support matters. With the right documentation and guidance, you can protect your income, support your health, and move forward with greater financial security.