Our Services

Victory Disability specializes in representing Veterans and their loved ones with both Social Security Disability and VA Disability claims.

The process

The SSDI process can be challenging, but with the Victory team by your side, you can be sure you’re getting expert support every step of the way.

Initial

The first step of the process is submitting an initial application for SSI and/or SSDI benefits. You can do this on your own, but our team is happy to help you fill out the application and forms. After you apply, it usually takes the Social Security Administration (SSA) three to six months to process your request.

Reconsideration

If your initial application is denied, you could have the option to appeal and enter the Reconsideration stage. During this time, the SSA reviews your case and may gather additional records if you provide them. This process usually takes one to five months.

Hearing

If your Reconsideration is denied, the next step is the hearing stage. After you request a hearing, you’ll typically wait 18 to 24 months. The SSA will notify you of the date and location about four to six weeks before the hearing. Meanwhile, our team will collect evidence and help you prepare.

Decision

Some judges make a decision at the hearing, while others take six to eight weeks. Regardless, you’ll receive a written decision explaining the outcome. If you’re approved, the process of starting your payments begins. Monthly benefits usually start within six to 12 weeks, and backpay may take a bit longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SSDI? + –

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program administered by Social Security that provides monthly payments towards those who are unable to work because of a disability or impairment. Veterans who are deemed unable to work anymore due to their disability can apply for SSDI.

Who is eligible for SSDI? + –

Eligibility for SSDI is dependent on certain factors such as severity of impairment, length of work history, and income. Service-connected disabilities can strengthen an SSDI claim, but having a VA rating alone will not guarantee approval. You must meet each of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) requirements before beginning an application.

These requirements are:

  • Work History: You must have worked or served at least 5 out of the last 10 years.
  • SSA Contribution: You must have paid into the Social Security system during those 5-10 years.
  • Medical Evidence: You must have doctor evaluations proving medical disability.
  • Long Term Condition: You are expected to be out of work for at least 12 months due to your disability.
  • Earned Income: You must not be earning more than $1,620 per month. Anything you may receive from VA disability, pensions, assets, etc. would not count toward this monthly limit.
What are the documents required for an SSDI application? + –

The SSA requires individuals to submit a complete set of documents in order for your SSDI claim to be properly evaluated. Lacking certain documents could potentially result in a rejection.

The required documents should break down your entire work history, educational history, medical records, testimonies of medical practitioners, lab results, and medical treatment history.

For Veterans, it is also important to provide documents that detail your military discharge and years of service.

Here are some of the requirements that may need to be submitted to apply for your claim:

  • Personal Identification: Birth Certificate, Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Alien Status if not born in the United States, or other proof of birth
  • Medical Records: Lifetime medical records, doctors’ reports, lab test results, treatment history
  • Work History: W-2 form(s) or self-employment tax returns for the prior year, award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements or other proof of any temporary or permanent workers’ compensation-type benefits you received
  • Military Proof: US military discharge papers for Veterans that served before 1968
  • Personal Documentation (If Applicable): A personal journal or report detailing the daily functional difficulties of living with the impairment

Other Documents: An Adult Disability Report that collects details about your illness, conditions, and work history

Will my spouse or child also receive SSDI benefits? + –

Once an individual applies and starts receiving their SSDI benefits, their spouse and children may also become eligible to receive monthly benefits. Spouses and children can receive b>up to 50% of your full benefit. If more than one family member qualifies to receive SSDI, the SSA has a cap of 150% to 180% of the disabled person’s monthly SSDI benefit they can receive.

The SSA has strict qualifications in order for the family members to qualify for SSDI. The eligible family member should be:

A spouse aged 62 or older

  • A spouse of any age taking care of disabled children or children under the age of 16
  • A child that is younger than 18
  • A child that is younger than 19 and attending high school
  • An unmarried child 18 or older who has a disability that began before the age of 22

An ex-spouse can also qualify for SSDI provided that they:

  • Were previously married the disabled person receiving SSDI for at least 10 years
  • Not currently married
What are VA Disability benefits? + –

VA Disability benefits are tax-free monthly payments to Veterans with service-connected disabilities. These benefits are administered by The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The benefit amount is determined by a disability rating, which can range from 0% to 100%. The rating itself is based on the severity of the service-connected disability.

Will my VA Disability benefits be impacted by SSDI? + –

No, your VA Disability would not be affected by SSDI. Veterans who meet the SSDI requirements can and should apply for benefits. Those who are awarded can receive SSDI and VA Disability simultaneously, without one benefit impacting the amount of the other in any way.

You do not need to have a certain rating from the VA to apply for SSDI. Because SSDI is available to civilians as well as Veterans, a service-connected disability is not required.

What is SSI? + –

SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income, which is a program run by the government to provide monthly benefits to individuals with limited income with a physical or mental impairment, or are ages 65 and older. Veterans who meet the SSI requirements can apply for benefits.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI? + –

SSDI and SSI are two different programs that both provide monthly compensation for individuals with limited to no income, and are physically or mentally disabled. Individuals can apply for both benefits at the same time, but applicants need to file for each claim separately.

The two biggest differences between SSDI and SSI are the work history requirements and income limitations.

Work History
SSDI requires the applicant to have worked a significant amount of years. The general requirement is that you must have 40 work credits, 20 of which have been earned by working 5 out of the last 10 years. SSI does not require any recent work history.

Income Limitations
The only income requirement for SSDI applies to “earned income” or money made from actively working. To be eligible, you must be unemployed or working and earning less than $1,620 per month.

With SSI, you must have very limited income. Earned income is not the only factor that is considered. “Deemed income” or income from your spouse, “Unearned income” like pensions, benefits, or cash, and “In-kind income” like food and shelter, will also be used to determine eligibility. Your assets must also be limited. Individuals you can have up to $2,000 in assets, $3,000 for married couples. Assets that can be considered are bank accounts, stocks, savings bonds, or anything that could be sold for cash.

Typically, SSDI payments are significantly higher than SSI payments. The maximum monthly payment a recipient of SSI can get is $967, while SSDI recipients can get higher payments based on previous earnings from their work history. The current maximum SSDI payment amount is $4,960 per month.

How do I apply for SSI? + –

To apply for SSI, you need to first assess your eligibility. The most important factor to consider is the severity of your impairment and your current income and financial situation.

Once you determine you’re eligible for SSI, you’ll have to prepare several documents similar to the ones passed by SSDI applicants:

  • Personal Identification: Birth Certificate, Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Alien Status if not born in the United States, or other proof of birth
  • Medical Records: Lifetime medical records, doctors’ reports, lab test results, treatment history
  • Work History: W-2 form(s) or self-employment tax returns for the prior year, award letters, pay stubs, settlement agreements or other proof of any temporary or permanent workers’ compensation-type benefits you received
  • Military Proof: US military discharge papers for Veterans that served before 1968

Similar to SSDI applications, more than 70% of initial SSI applications get rejected, so we recommend working with a law firm that specializes in SSI and disability law.

We at Victory Disability dedicate ourselves in assisting disabled American Veterans with their SSDI, SSI, and VA claims.You can contact our team by calling 1-866-350-7229 today for a free consultation or check out our evaluation form to find out if you qualify.