Ask Larry

Why Did My Disability Benefits Stop?

I had a Stroke when I was 59 years old. The supplimentle Security sent me to a docter and the docter deemed me to be disabled. They paid me $750 per month. I gave the V.A. the docters report and they paid me $1075 per month. When the Security found that the V.A. was paying me this they dropped my disability. I could not live on the V.A. benifit, so when I turned 62 I filed for S.S.I. and they pay me $580 per month.
So how come the disability was dropped because I'm a Veteran?

Hi,

Veterans benefits don't affect any type of Social Security benefits, since Social Security benefits are earned through contributions made to the program (i.e. Social Security taxes). However, if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), those payments can be reduced or suspended if you receive any other type of income, not only Veteran's benefits. The reason for that is that SSI is a needs based program funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes. SSI is intended as a last resort source of income for disabled, blind and aged individuals with no other means of support. Thus, SSI recipients are required to apply for any other types of benefits for which they qualify, such as Social Security or Veteran's benefits, and if the other income is higher than the maximum monthly SSI payment of $735, the SSI payments stop.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Jan 3 2017 - 8:15am
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.