Can I Work While Receiving VA Disability Benefits?
July 07, 2021
Unlike Social Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs does allow disabled veterans to work while receiving benefits in some cases. As long as you are not receiving Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits, you may be employed and still entitled to pay based on your disability rating.
100 Percent Disability Rating
The VA uses a percentage-based rating system when it considers a disability case. The percentage assigned to each veteran, from zero to 100 percent, can be based on one health condition or injury or multiple ones added together. When someone is rated at 100 percent, it does not necessarily mean they are fully disabled in terms of working and performing other daily tasks.
The rating received by a veteran dictates how much money they will be paid each month in VA benefits. A zero percent rating gets nothing, while a 100 percent rating will earn the full allowable amount.
A veteran with a disability rating can work and still be paid their VA benefits, earning as much as they can at their job with no restrictions on hours.
TDIU Benefits
TDIU is a different rating and entirely based on a veteran’s inability to hold gainful employment due to their service-connected disability. A veteran with a 100 percent TDIU rating is only allowed to hold “marginal” employment. They can neither work full time nor have an income above the federal poverty line for one person.
One exception to this rule exists for protected employment, which would be at a family-owned business or protected workshop. Veterans receiving TDIU benefits can work in these places and even earn more than the federal poverty level as these are not considered gainful employment.
Getting Your Rating
When applying for VA disability benefits, it can be tough to get rated at 100 percent. Some find that it is easier to achieve this by pursuing TDIU instead. The help of a VA disability lawyer is priceless when considering your options for disability benefits.
Contact Legal Help for Veterans for a free claim evaluation by calling 800-693-4800.