Those pursuing disability benefits for a life-limiting medical condition are often curious about how much they are eligible to receive in payments and how such amounts are determined. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) use two different systems for deciding payment amounts, depending on whether the applicant is a veteran or not. Below, the Social Security disability attorneys at David W. Kapor & Associates in Cincinnati, OH, discuss these two systems.

Nonveterans

Applicants who have no record of military service apply through the regular channel of Social Security disability. If approved, the SSA will look at the entire work record of the disabled individual. They will come up with a payment amount based on how much the individual has paid in Social Security taxes over the course of their working lives. In 2017, the average monthly payment was $1,171, though not every disabled person will receive a payment this high. How long they previously worked and how much they paid into the system will ultimately determine the benefit total.

Veterans

Veterans who are disabled and unable to work in any wage-earning job can apply for VA disability; they can also apply for Social Security disability if they have worked in a full-time position for at least five of the prior 10 years. A disabled veteran's discharge status—whether honorable or dishonorable—has no bearing on whether they are approved for benefits. Similarly, an applicant's previous "bad conduct" or contribution to their current medical condition will play no role in determining eligibility for disability. There is no minimum amount of military service required for a disabled veteran to pursue Social Security, and they need not have been enlisted for years or served on active duty. The benefit amount you are awarded by the VA is typically based on the severity of your disability, which is distinct from the work credit system utilized by Social Security for nonveteran applicants.

Whether or not you're a veteran, you deserve to have the necessary financial support for a disabling medical condition. The lawyers at David W. Kapor & Associates are here to help you at every stage of your Social Security disability claim. Call (513) 721-2820 to schedule a free consultation today, or visit them online to learn more about Social Security disability.