SAMHSA SOAR

New VA Tool Helps Maximize Income

Released by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in July 2018, and updated in 2023, this tool helps demonstrate how income from employment and/or VA disability benefits will affect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Income and Benefits Calculator

Too often, misinformation about how employment will affect income from SSI/SSDI discourages beneficiaries from pursuing their vocational goals. The new VA Income and Benefits Calculator offers a strong visual representation of how working while receiving SSI/SSDI and/or VA benefits is not only possible, but can be an integral part of maximizing income and housing stability.

We encourage members of the SOAR community to utilize the Income and Benefits Calculator with Veterans and non-Veterans to:
 
  • Begin the conversation
    • Integrate the Calculator into your engagement strategies to help show that employment is possible while receiving SSI/SSDI
    • Encourage individuals who are applying for SSI/SSDI to also pursue their vocational goals and support them in these efforts
  • Explore what is possible
    • Use the Calculator to explore how starting work, increasing hours or pay, or saving money for vocational training will affect SSI/SSDI
    • Play around with different scenarios – the possibilities are endless! 
Download the Income and Benefits Calculator below!
 
Jen Elder, Senior Advisor to the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, provides a short walkthrough of how to use each of the calculators. These key tips will help you quickly and easily start using the Calculator, to help those you serve maximize their income! A PowerPoint of the presentation without the walkthrough is also available.
 
We’d love to share your feedback with the VA on how you might use this new tool! To provide feedback, email Jen Elder at jelder@prainc.com. 

Resources

Files

Available Files
Attachment Size
VA Income and Benefits Calculator 54.74 KB

Details

Type:
Article
Date:
July, 2018

Other Details

Topic
Employment & Work Incentives
Focus
Veterans

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