Today is Veterans Day.
Every year on this day we honor all veterans who served our country and risked their lives to protect us. Jack Myers with Social Security encourages if you know a veteran, please let them know about the Military and Veterans webpage at www.ssa.gov/people/veterans - or just search "veterans" once you get to the ssa.gov homepage.
According to Myers, the webpage shares information about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for veterans including how SSDI benefits are different from benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.
Additionally, there's information about how Social Security expedites the processing of Social Security disability claims for service members who develop a disability while on active duty on or after 10/1/2001 regardless of where the disability occurs.
Myers also encourages just browsing the information available at ssa.gov/people/veterans for details on aspects of Social Security they may not have been aware of.
If active-duty service members are unable to work due to a disabling condition and continue to receive pay while in a hospital or on medical leave, they should consider applying for SSDI if their condition is expected to keep them out of work for at least a year.
A person can't be approved for SSDI benefits if actively working and earning above substantial gainful activity level wages - $1550/month in 2024 - but if they aren't working, we don't have to count the wages.
