About Our Clients
Veterans
Workers compensation
long term disability
NAVIGATING THE DIFFERENCES
Department of Veterans Affairs vs
the Social Security Administration
Together, let’s break down the key differences between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration.
Veterans with service-connected injuries or medical conditions are given a VA Rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This VA Rating ranges from 0 – 100%, in 10% increments, and can change over time.
Disability benefits are paid monthly and are calculated by the rating. Payments can increase or decrease if the VA rating changes.
Medical condition must prevent you from being able to work
Benefits based on work history or income
Benefits do not affect your ability to claim VA benefits
Cost of living (COLA) adjustments
The SSA administers two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSDI is based on work history, and SSI is based on income. Neither program offers partial or scaled payments like VA benefits, and benefits are based on program requirements, not the severity of an injury or illness.
Medical conditions must be service-connected
Benefits based on medical condition
Benefits do not affect your ability to claim SSDI
Cost of living (COLA) adjustments
WE WORK FOR YOU
Use the power of our experience and skills to your advantage.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Veteran’s Aid F.A.Q.
Will receiving Social Security Disability benefits impact my current VA benefits?
Absolutely not. VA and SSA benefits are two separate programs and you can receive benefits from both programs. If you are already receiving VA benefits, receiving SSDI benefits will have no impact on your current benefits from the VA.
Will filing for Social Security Disability benefits impact my ability to apply, qualify, or receive VA benefits in the future?
No. You can collect Veterans Affairs disability benefits and Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits at the same time. Qualifying and collecting each set of benefits has no impact upon the other.
I'm already receiving Disability benefits from the VA. Do I automatically qualify for Social Security disability?
No. Unfortunately, different federal agencies have different laws and different processes for determining medical disabilities. Qualifying for one program does not automatically qualify you for another.
Is there a way to expedite the disability claims process?
If you have a 100% permanent and total disability rating from the VA, the Social Security Administration will expedite your disability claim.
If Sage Disability handles my claim, am I going to speak with a new person every time I need to talk to someone?
No. Every client in the Sage Disability family has their very own Case Manager. Think of them as your concierge when you need to communicate with the federal government. Your Case Manager will be with you every step of the way during the claim process, and you’ll have their direct phone number and email address.
New Review
I would highly recommend Sage if you want a positive outcome. The paperwork was painless, and they took care of everything. The process of providing medical evidence was seamless as well.
I was previously denied twice and had to go through the hearing process. Sage was very helpful during this process.
I want to recognize Sandy Lutz and thank her for all her help. She provided an invaluable one-on-one pre-hearing conference and ensured I was well-prepared to talk to the judge. This preparation was the reason for the positive result. I am very thankful for her professionalism and the constant communication she provided throughout the process.
Jason
Former Client
NAVIGATING THE DIFFERENCES
Are you a Workers' Compensation (WC) claimant who needs to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits? We work with you and your Workers' Compensation carrier throughout the Social Security disability determination process.
Can You Receive Both Workers' Compensation and Social Security Benefits?
If you are disabled, you can apply for SSDI while receiving WC benefits, and you may qualify for both. But if you're getting WC, it may affect how much money you'll receive from SSDI (or vice versa). The statute provides that where an individual is receiving both SSDI benefits and state WC benefits on account of a disability, his or her SSDI benefits “shall be reduced†by the amount necessary to ensure that the sum of the state and federal benefits does not exceed 80% of the individual's average pre-disability earnings.
It's possible to collect workers' compensation benefits and Social Security disability (SSD) benefits at the same time. However, the two programs have different requirements for approval, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) can reduce your SSDI benefits by the amount of your workers' comp benefits. This is known as the workers' comp offset.
Getting approved for Social Security Disability and Workers' Compensation...
You can receive Social Security disability benefits only if your impairment is severe and is expected to last a year or more, preventing you from doing any kind of substantial work.
Each state workers' compensation program has its own eligibility rules. Generally, to be approved, you'll need to show that you suffered a work-related injury or illness that kept you from working for a certain period.
SSDI Benefits: The Workers' Compensation Offset
While the two benefit systems are completely separate—SSD and SSI are standardized federal programs, while workers' compensation laws differ from state to state—the Social Security Administration (SSA) may lower your disability payments by the amount of your workers' compensation benefits, by taking what's called an "offset."
Are you a Long-Term Disability (LTD) claimant that needs to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI)?
We work with you and your Long-Term Disability carrier and advocate your Social Security disability claim for benefits to the Social Security Administration.
Generally, you can collect both SSDI benefits and LTD benefits. Many long-term disability insurance companies also require anyone who receives benefits to apply for SSDI.
However, if you are applying for or currently receiving SSDI, you are not required to apply for LTD benefits.
Most LTD insurance policies contain a specific clause that mandates that beneficiaries will apply for Social Security disability benefits within a specific timeframe.
Getting LTD benefits will not affect your SSDI application process or the benefit amount.
If you are approved for SSDI, you probably won't be allowed to “double-dip,†or be paid the full amount of benefits by both the SSA and the insurance company.
Instead, your insurer will offset the amount of SSDI benefits from your LTD payments. The combination of SSDI and LTD benefits will then equal the LTD benefits you got before qualifying for Social Security disability.