The 5 Most Common SSDI Questions From Vets

The most common questions we get from folks are related to SSDI and their VA Benefits. Today we’re going to go through the most frequently asked questions we get from Veterans and set the record straight.

Question 1: Can Veterans Get SSDI?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get from Veterans is, “Can I get SSDI?” The short answer is yes! Veterans can get SSDI.

What is SSDI?: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a monthly benefits program for disabled workers. SSDI is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and is funded by payroll tax.

Veterans with VA Disability do not automatically qualify for SSDI, regardless of their rating. To be eligible, you must meet the following SSDI requirements:

You must have worked 5 out of the last 10 years.You must have paid into the Social Security system during those 5-10 years.You must have doctor evaluations proving medical disability.You are expected to be out of work for at least 12 months due to disability.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. If you meet the requirements, you could qualify for SSDI.

Question 2: Will My VA Benefits Be Affected By SSDI?

No, your VA Benefits would not be affected by SSDI.

Veterans who met the SSDI requirements can apply for benefits. If their claim is approved they will receive SSDI on top of their VA Disability without impacting either benefit amount in any way.

Regardless of their VA Rating, Veterans can earn SSDI benefits. But, it is important to understand the differences in payment structure between VA Disability and SSDI.

VA Disability pays Veterans with a rating scale of 0% to 100%. The VA determines ratings based on the Vet’s disabilities. A higher rating reflects a more severe disability.

Veterans who are not being paid at 100% can file claims to increase their rating.

While there are some factors that can impact how much VA Disability a Veteran earns, such as very severe disabilities or dependents, generally, there is a set amount per rating that applies to all Vets.

SSDI’s benefit structure is very different. Social Security calculates benefit amounts based on prior earnings. Generally, the more money you paid into Social Security while you were working, the more money you’ll be eligible to receive in SSDI.

The 2025 SSDI maximum payment is $4,960. The 2025 average SSDI payment is $1,580 per month.

Question 3: Can I Increase My SSDI?

No, unfortunately, once Social Security calculates your benefit amount, it cannot be increased.

This is a common question we get from Veterans because they’re accustomed to the VA Rating payscale.

Factors such as becoming more disabled, or a worsening financial situation will have no impact on your SSDI pay. This is because SSDI is determined based on prior earnings and not the severity of your disability or financial circumstances.

Each year Social Security does modify benefit amounts based on inflation, or COLA, but these are typically minor changes.

In 2025 the COLA increased SSDI benefits by 2.5%

Question 4: Do I Need To Have Recent Work History If I’m Rated 100% P&T?

Yes, Veterans must have recent work history regardless of their VA Rating.

This is another frequently asked question from Vets who are starting the Social Security Disability process.

Unfortunately, many are unaware of the SSD work history requirements, or that SSDI is even an option, until they begin the process. By that time it can be too late.

To qualify for SSDI, you need 40 work credits. 20 of these credits need to have been earned within the last 10 years.

Each year you can earn up to 4 work credits.

A simple way to determine if you have 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years is to track if you have worked at least 5 out of the last 10 years.

The work must have paid into Social Security for it to count toward your credits. If you were paid under the table, you may not have the required history.

To check if you have enough credits to apply for SSDI, you can contact your local Social Security office. An agent would be able to pull your work history and determine your eligibility.

Because SSDI does have their recent work history requirements, we always encourage folks to apply for SSDI as soon as they’re unable to work. Even if this means having an open SSDI claim and an open VA Benefits claim at the same time.

Question 5: Should I Wait To File My SSDI Claim Until After I Get My VA Decision?

No, you should not wait to file for SSDI until after your VA Claim is finished.

Factors like the recent work history requirements are important to be aware of when considering an SSDI claim. You only have 5 years to file for SSDI once you stop working. Once these 5 years are up you are no longer eligible for SSDI, even if you meet all the other requirements.

Starting an SSDI claim as soon as you’re unable to work is the best way to avoid missing this deadline.

Similar to how SSDI requires work history when VA Disability does not, it’s important to remember that there are two different requirements when looking at VA benefits versus SSA benefits.

Having a VA Rating could help, but the SSA uses different methods to determine if you’re disabled. Waiting until you get a VA decision would not change the fact that you still need to meet Social Security’s SSDI requirements.

Inversely, meeting the SSDI requirements and winning benefits could help with your VA claim. If you are awarded SSDI, it shows that a federal group has determined you are unable to work due to disability.

This finding could be used in a VA claim as evidence that you are unable to work -Which could help with increasing a rating to Individual Unemployability (IU) or Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

Do I Need A Disability Lawyer For My SSDI Claim?

You do not need legal representation to file for SSDI, but having a lawyer who is familiar with the SSDI claims process can increase the likelihood of an approved claim.

Victory Disability is a law firm that specializes in helping Veterans with SSDI. We’ve helped thousands of service members and their loved ones earn the benefits they deserve. Get started today, use our free evaluation here: Victory Disability SSDI Eligibility Quiz