Social Security Services for Veterans & Active Duty Military Members

Social Security Services for Veterans & Active Duty Military Members

- in Blogs, Resources, Social Security

Social Security  &  You
By Brandon P. Smith, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

Veterans Day is on Friday, November 11, 2022.  Every year on this day, we honor all veterans who served our country and risked their lives to protect us.  

Our Wounded Warriors webpage is an important resource for military members who return home with injuries. If you know a wounded veteran, please let them know about our Wounded Warriors webpage at www.ssa.gov/woundedwarriors.  

The page shares information about our Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for veterans, including:

  • How SSDI benefits are different from benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.  
  • How we expedite the processing of Social Security disability claims for service members.  If they develop a disability while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, they can file a disability claim regardless of where the disability occurs.
  • Answers to questions asked about Social Security.  

If active-duty military service members are unable to work due to a disabling condition and continue to receive pay while in a hospital or on medical leave, they should consider applying for SSDI.  Active-duty status and receipt of military pay doesn’t necessarily prevent payment of SSDI benefits.  

Our webpages are easy to share on social media and by email with your friends and family.  Please consider passing this information along to someone who may need it.

About the author

Brandon P. Smith is the author of Northeast Ohio Thrive’s Social Security & You blog. He is a Social Security public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, based in Cleveland. A Cleveland native, he joined the SSA in 2003. He is the primary contact for media relations, outreach, and presentations for the agency in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, and Geauga counties. In addition to other communications awards, Brandon received a Deputy Commissioner Citation from Social Security’s Office of Communication in 2015 for his outstanding public affairs support of the agency’s national communication initiatives.

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