Will the Military Know If I Am Collecting SSI?
You probably worry about receiving Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) if you plan to work in the military. You think the benefits could prove you are unfit for the job or that the service could cut your insurance.
You thus want to keep the military from knowing about the benefits you are receiving to qualify for the job.
As it turns out, you may still qualify for the service, even while receiving financial assistance. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may cut your insurance when you earn above a particular amount.
You should thus know about how the military service and disability insurance programs affect each other to prepare for possible conflicts.
Can You Serve the Military While Receiving Disability Benefits?
Disability insurance from the Social Security Administration (SSA) generally doesn’t damage your eligibility for military service. However, the military will consider your actual capability to perform assigned tasks in a particular job position.
For example, you may qualify for office positions if you have lower limb paralysis but may not be suitable for field patrol.
It’s thus better to check your capabilities before applying for the service and know the job position suitable for your condition.
Will You Continue Receiving SSI While in the Service?
SSI is for people who can’t earn sufficient income because of physical or psychological limitations, particularly for the disabled and seniors. In 2022, you have enough income if you can make $1,350 each month; $2,260 if you are legally blind.
Working as uniformed personnel will let you earn enough to support your needs. So, the SSA may cut your SSI benefits, despite your physical or psychological limitations.
How Military Service Could Affect SSDI
SSA also offers Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for qualified individuals with sufficient work credits and who have sustained total disability. You earn credits by paying a portion of your wage to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax system.
Unlike SSI, SSDI won’t consider your income when evaluating your eligibility for benefits. SSA thus won’t cut your SSDI when you start earning from the service.
However, you may lose insurance if you engage in significant activities on the job.
For example, suppose you experience excessive back pain because of sitting in the office for more than five hours a day. The insurance may thus continue as you can only work four hours a day. However, SSDI may stop if you can perform regular uniformed personnel duties for eight hours daily.
Consulting a Burbank Social Security benefits lawyer helps determine if you may keep receiving SSDI while in the service.
Can You Collect VA Disability Compensation and SSA Disability Benefits at Once?
Military veterans who sustained disabilities while in the service may receive SSDI and US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) disability compensation. However, each program has unique requirements, and you should qualify for them separately.
As mentioned above, you will only qualify for SSDI if you have an utterly disabling condition and have earned sufficient work credits.
On the other hand, you may qualify for VA disability compensation if you sustained your disabling condition while on duty. You don’t have to earn credits, and your disability doesn’t have to be completely debilitating to receive benefits.
Hire a Burbank Social Security benefits lawyer to Secure Your Disability Benefits While in Military Service
Military service and disability insurance could significantly affect each other in particular ways. It’s thus better to remember the abovementioned points before serving in the military to understand your right to these benefits while working.
A Social Security Benefits Attorney in Burbank will explain and clarify this complex situation for you.