Connecting Veterans to Social Security Disability Benefits: A Key Component in Ending Veteran Homelessness

Issue Brief Overview

Connecting Veterans with Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits is a critical step to increasing income stability for Veterans and their families, as well as providing health insurance for those who do not qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care. Veterans may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, VA disability compensation. Veterans may also use the Medicaid and Medicare health benefits that come with SSI/SSDI to supplement VA health services.

Federal and community programs can assist Veterans by increasing their knowledge of available SSA benefits and using the SOAR model to help Veterans file for SSI/SSDI. Through this, Veterans can quickly obtain income security, which is key for housing stability and ending Veteran homelessness.

**This issue brief was originally published in 2014 and updated in August 2017.