Social Security pays disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSDI is for workers and certain family members if they worked long enough and recently enough to be eligible for benefits. SSI is for people who are 65 or older, as well as people of any age, including children, who are blind or have disabilities. To be considered eligible for SSI, you must also have income and resources below specific financial limits.

Before you apply for Social Security disability benefits, please review the basics to make sure you understand what to expect during the application process. Also, gather the information and documents you’ll need to complete an application.

Apply for Disability

SSDI and VA Disability – How Do They Compare?

Social Security and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pay disability benefits to eligible people and their qualified dependents. However, the programs, processes, and criteria for receiving benefits are very different. Each agency must follow its own definition and requirements.

See the Social Security Disability and Veterans Affairs Disability — How Do They Compare? fact sheet for a side-by-side comparison of the differences between SSDI and VA compensation.

Disability Criteria	VA Disability	SSDI
Injury/Illness (or aggravation of) must be due to military service
Impairment must prevent the ability to work at substantial gainful activity level at time of application
Disabling condition must last (or be expected to last) at least 12 months or end in death
Age, education, and work history can affect eligibility
Monthly benefit amount and eligibility are not affected by the other program (SSDI and VA Disability only)
Offers partial payments based on scale of disability
All or nothing disability payment

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter

Social Security pays disability benefits to people who can’t work because they have a severe medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Federal law requires this very strict definition of disability. While some programs give money to people with a partial disability or a short-term disability, we do not.

The VA pays disability compensation to veterans who have a service-connected disability resulting from a condition that was incurred during or aggravated by active military service.

SSDI and VA disability compensations are not affected by each other, so you may be eligible to receive both. However, you must apply for them separately. It may be possible to also be eligible for SSI, depending on income and resources.

Other Social Security Benefits

Some veterans, their spouses, and their dependents may be eligible for other Social Security benefits such as retirement, Medicare, and survivors benefits.

For service members who are eligible for Medicare, TRICARE is available as a supplement. TRICARE is a health care program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System and is not administered by Social Security.