2 Married Vets He Is 70%/ 100% Iu She Is 30%

[halos2]

Friend asked question: both vets. He 70% but at 100% IU, she is 30%. If he passes away can she get DIC on his compensation? Also she wants to know, he gets $400 per month more, can she get SSDI on him instead of her own which is less? She hopes this doesn't happen but both are in 60's and she didn't know if there were income restrictions on either or both.

Edited April 29, 2009 by halos2 (see edit history)

[Berta]

If either one of these vets dies due to SC causing or contributing to death they can receive DIC and if eligible-SSA on their spouses account.

Or with 100% SC P & T in place for ten years prior to death.

I think they have to be 60 years old to get SSA on their spouses account due to of death of spouse from any cause.

VA comp, DIC, and SSA do not limit each other.

[halos2]

Berta,

I want to get something clarified here from you. I know this post is 9 mths old but checking and had these questions as they were presented to me.

Male vet receives ss, female receives ssdi, the rest is the same they receive as posted previously...

Now you write if EITHER vets dies due to sc cause or contributed to... either can receive DIC? So if he passes from sc she can get dic and the same with him for her if sc.

And even if one gets ss or ssdi they could get ssa on top of that for the spouse that died? I was told if one dies the remaining spouse would receive one payment. Either hers or his, whichever was the greater amount.

I do know a female vet who has been getting ssa(need based) for years, and she recently filled for a deceased husband, and gets that too. But I was told ss and ssdi are larger amounts and cannot be processed as that.

Now I am more confused. I have seen ie elderly's get ss, and one dies, and ss decreases the amount the survivor gets...no more 2 checks. So that is why I am wondering if there is something different now or if these people have not been told they could get more.

I know va and ssdi do not cancel eachother out but the ssa is the thing in question, as the ss and ssdi are already more $. SOOO hypothetically 1 vet passes...other keeps their sc disc and get dic on other(SC) one who died and the vet keeps their ss and then gets ssa on the other one who passed?

That is what I am reading. Is it correct??

If either one of these vets dies due to SC causing or contributing to death they can receive DIC and if eligible-SSA on their spouses account.

Or with 100% SC P & T in place for ten years prior to death.

I think they have to be 60 years old to get SSA on their spouses account due to of death of spouse from any cause.

VA comp, DIC, and SSA do not limit each other.

[sixthscents]

I was looking at this a while ago and yes that is essentially correct if I am undestanding you. The point here is that what is mosy favorable (monetarily) is what should occur, if the situation is as described.

The veteran dies, the survivor gets DIC, and they get still get their ssd (ssi is gone) unless ssd and ssi are more than ssd and DIC then the dont get DIC. Its whats most favorable to the survivor. As for an increase in the SURVIVORS ssd - if minor children are present they will keep that until 18, or the month they graduate high school, but their own personal ssd amounts wouldnt change (now - the ssa will calculate the payrate for the minors based upon the most favorable parents participation, but that should have already happened). However they may also qualify for survivor benefits under SSA in addition to their own ssd.. go to the SSA's website and click on survivors to learn how.

Am I making any sense here?

Edited April 28, 2009 by sixthscents (see edit history)

[sixthscents]

also lets define some terms here

ssa = social security administration

ssd = social security disability

ssi = social security (suplemental) income

ss = social security (age based)

sss = social security survivor

so a person who draws ssd is disabled, depending upon how much income they have from other sources they may also qualify for ssi (ssi is a supplement)

a person cannot recieve just ssi

a person can recieve normal ss and also get ssi if need is proven.

also surviving spouses and children may be entitled to some benefits.

hope this clears up any confusion

Edited April 28, 2009 by sixthscents (see edit history)

[Philip Rogers]

Not to step on anyone's toes but I've added a few corrections, below:

pr

also lets define some terms here

ssa = social security administration

ssd = social security disability (should read SSDI = social security disability income)

ssi = social security (suplemental) income (should read SSI = supplemental security income)

ss = social security (age based)

sss = social security survivor

so a person who draws ssd is disabled, depending upon how much income they have from other sources they may also qualify for ssi (ssi is a supplement)

a person cannot recieve just ssi (a person can receive just SSI)

a person can recieve normal ss and also get ssi if need is proven.

also surviving spouses and children may be entitled to some benefits.

hope this clears up any confusion

Edited April 29, 2009 by Philip Rogers (see edit history)

[Philip Rogers]

Additionally, a widowed claimant can collect against the spouses SS account at age 50, if claimant is disabled, at age 60, normally.

SSI is paid to those who are disabled who do not meet the "paid in" SSDI quarter requirements.

pr

Edited April 28, 2009 by Philip Rogers (see edit history)

[Berta]

Hope to add a clarification here-

If a widow or widower gets SSI (NOT SSA)it would be reduced by any $ from the VA.

SSA for survivors of deceased workers whether vets or not can get payment under that record for either Children of the deceased (depending on ages) or can receive widow's benefits as Philip said at age 60 on the veterans record.

SSI is income limited program.

Also a Wartime VA death pension to a widow or widower is too.

I dont know how any widow or widower can live on the VA death pension.

No one can claim and receive any VA benefit and SSI at same time without partial or full offset from one to the other as far as I know.

"Now you write if EITHER vets dies due to sc cause or contributed to... either can receive DIC? So if he passes from sc she can get dic and the same with him for her if sc."

YES if SC caused or contributed to death or he/she faills into any other one of the DIC award criterias.

"And even if one gets ss or ssdi they could get ssa on top of that for the spouse that died? I was told if one dies the remaining spouse would receive one payment. Either hers or his, whichever was the greater amount."

I get SSA retirement benefits on Rods record as his widow. I could also get SSA on my other deceased husband's record if , per SSA, his record amount due to Colas-ever gets higher than Rods.I am also eligible for SSA due to my own SSA account and long work history.

I get DIC as well.

There is no offset on any of this income.

I am not limited to have other income either-

If the person you know is getting full SSI and also VA benefits as DIC or VA death Pension-I am sure legally she gets an offset from one or the other and probably the reducd VA check is very low.

I had a wannabee local widow who was trying to pull something on the VA-it happens-

she receives some sort of disability payment and also some rental money-

she thought I was going to help her file the 534 without telling the VA this.

No way -besides the VA can cross check this stuff I am sure.

Also anyone on a VA pension is obligated to inform VA of any change in their annual income.

DICers are never required to do that.

I believe the SSI rules (unlike SSA rules) are tdefinitely the same in this respect.

I dont understand the age 50 part Philip-but I knew widow of vet who at age 50 her child was 16 when the vet died and so she didnt get any help from SSA.I think the child still received 2 more years of SSA in their own right.(which of course goes to the parent for their care)

I think that is a SSA age 50 cut off date for survivor benefits for survivors with children of deceased workers. ?

[Philip Rogers]

Berta, I don't know why the age 50 disabled thing either but it's true. The spouse of a disabled person who cares for minor children receives payment until the youngest child reaches age 16. At 16yo SS feels the child is old enough to be alone after school and won't pay the spouse anymore. The spouses benefit is then added to the child or children's benefit until age 18 or HS graduation, whichever is the latter.

pr

[Berta]

You explained that much better than I did.

I got so confused trying to explain it that I had to eat 2 very large chocolate brownies!

but still was confused-

All SSA info and stuff is at the SSA web sites, too under Survivors benefits.

[halos2]

I have read the ssa web site information numerous times over these last 7 or so years. When it comes to va disab comp eligibility and SSDI I understand vet can get both...but Berta, you wrote"I get ssa retirement benefits on Rods records as his widow...I am also eligible for SSA due to my own SSA acct and long work history. I get DIC as well"...my question is why would one have to inform the ssa if one dies if they are still going to pay the spouse the ssa. for both? ..so the person will get both benefits, you are saying as you get?

I know SSDI and VA disab comp do not decrease eachother however what parameters would there be for that person to get SSDI, VA and SSA? Wouldn't the ssa assume if one gets SSDI and VA that would be enought $. Now how can it be that the surviving spouse gets to keep both checks when one spouse dies?

My father-in-law called the ssa when his wife died and his check amount was decreased as he no longer had a dependent.

She had a work history too.

I am sure my mother receives it on my dad's record as he worked many more years than she did and also he made alot more $ than she did too.

Now say vet gets SSDI 1300 mth, and gets 60% va disab comp, you are implying that vet can also apply for ssi?? But if they do apply for ssi the va $ would be decreased? Is this what you are telling me? Been up 36 hrs maybe I am twisting info around. Just want to know how spouse gets his/her checks if one died.

No pension's here.

Hope to add a clarification here-

If a widow or widower gets SSI (NOT SSA)it would be reduced by any $ from the VA.

SSA for survivors of deceased workers whether vets or not can get payment under that record for either Children of the deceased (depending on ages) or can receive widow's benefits as Philip said at age 60 on the veterans record.

SSI is income limited program.

Also a Wartime VA death pension to a widow or widower is too.

I dont know how any widow or widower can live on the VA death pension.

No one can claim and receive any VA benefit and SSI at same time without partial or full offset from one to the other as far as I know.

"Now you write if EITHER vets dies due to sc cause or contributed to... either can receive DIC? So if he passes from sc she can get dic and the same with him for her if sc."

YES if SC caused or contributed to death or he/she faills into any other one of the DIC award criterias.

"And even if one gets ss or ssdi they could get ssa on top of that for the spouse that died? I was told if one dies the remaining spouse would receive one payment. Either hers or his, whichever was the greater amount."

I get SSA retirement benefits on Rods record as his widow. I could also get SSA on my other deceased husband's record if , per SSA, his record amount due to Colas-ever gets higher than Rods.I am also eligible for SSA due to my own SSA account and long work history.

I get DIC as well.

There is no offset on any of this income.

I am not limited to have other income either-

If the person you know is getting full SSI and also VA benefits as DIC or VA death Pension-I am sure legally she gets an offset from one or the other and probably the reducd VA check is very low.

I had a wannabee local widow who was trying to pull something on the VA-it happens-

she receives some sort of disability payment and also some rental money-

she thought I was going to help her file the 534 without telling the VA this.

No way -besides the VA can cross check this stuff I am sure.

Also anyone on a VA pension is obligated to inform VA of any change in their annual income.

DICers are never required to do that.

I believe the SSI rules (unlike SSA rules) are tdefinitely the same in this respect.

I dont understand the age 50 part Philip-but I knew widow of vet who at age 50 her child was 16 when the vet died and so she didnt get any help from SSA.I think the child still received 2 more years of SSA in their own right.(which of course goes to the parent for their care)

I think that is a SSA age 50 cut off date for survivor benefits for survivors with children of deceased workers. ?

[Berta]

I am beyond confused here-

I sure dont get more than one SSA retirement check.

SSA gives the highest benefit they can possibly award. they even told me that my other husband's account (he is non disabled and still employed -Nurse)is probably higher than both of my veteran husband's accounts-

I only get one SSA check and this is not SSI-

and I get DIC NOT VA death pension for widows- BIG difference there.

BIG difference

"my question is why would one have to inform the ssa if one dies if they are still going to pay the spouse the ssa. for both? ..so the person will get both benefits, you are saying as you get?"

SSDI is not SSI

One must inform the SSA of a death of a spouse because it is the law.The spouses SSA check stops coming.

If a retired person's account is higher than deceased spouse who dies- the SSA awards the highest possible benefit for SSA retirement.

SSA awards only one check.

The survivor if eligible can get SSA retirement and VA DIC at the same time.

Your friend should join hadit or contact SSA with questions at the SSA site.

[Berta]

PS I had neighbor who got DIC under Officer's Retirement- and CHAMPUS

She also got SSDI- Social Security disability on her own record.SSDI

When she turned 62 or 65 forget- she thought she would get another SSA check for her retirement-

but she didnt-what SSA gives as SSDI award is retirement-in essense forced retirement due to disability-

You can check with SSA on all this because maybe the regs on this changed and I dont have updated SSA regs or info

[Philip Rogers]

A claimant can only receive one Social Security check, except if their SS benefit is currently less than $674 monthly. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) currently pays $674 a month and is means based. A claimant receiving less than $674 monthly from SS could be supplemented up to that amount, by SSI but both payments combined cannot equal more than $674, monthly.

SSDI pays the same amount that a claimant would have received had they retired at the full retirement age. SSDI payment is converted at full retirement age from the SSDI account to SS retirement account. At full retirement age a claimant on SSDI could return to work w/o fear of losing their SS benefit.

A widowed spouse can collect on their own acct (if qualified) or at age 60, (age 50 if disabled) on their late spouses account. SS will pay the higher amount but they can request the lower amount, if desired. Divorced claimants can collect against their deceased former spouses account, if married to them for 10yrs or more.

pr

[halos2]

Thanks Philip, As my 2:25 pm post yest I said I heard that there would be one check, for the spouse, the larger amount...then I got alot of info from some great people and man my head was spinning...now it reverts back to what I was told...one check for ssa or ssdi or in the event ssi is too low then ssa will add enough to bring the person out of the poverty level..And that is the rest of the story. Did read it on ssa.gov site too. Thank you to all who posted here to clarify/add/delete/assist/rectify this question. I noticed with pensions they jack people out of what they should receive and lessen some with offsetting. Thats not right, but is the gov????

Our county has maybe 10,000 people and the towns here have from 12 people to 92, to 144, and up, so you see I am somewhat in the boondocks.

Some people just don't get out or don't know who to go to to ask questions, so I basically volunteer, can you tell it?

A claimant can only receive one Social Security check, except if their SS benefit is currently less than $674 monthly. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) currently pays $674 a month and is means based. A claimant receiving less than $674 monthly from SS could be supplemented up to that amount, by SSI but both payments combined cannot equal more than $674, monthly.

SSDI pays the same amount that a claimant would have received had they retired at the full retirement age. SSDI payment is converted at full retirement age from the SSDI account to SS retirement account. At full retirement age a claimant on SSDI could return to work w/o fear of losing their SS benefit.

A widowed spouse can collect on their own acct (if qualified) or at age 60, (age 50 if disabled) on their late spouses account. SS will pay the higher amount but they can request the lower amount, if desired. Divorced claimants can collect against their deceased former spouses account, if married to them for 10yrs or more.

pr