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How do VA payments affect SSI?

The short answer

VA disability compensation counts as unearned income for SSI, and it can reduce the SSI payment.

Social Security generally does not count the first $20 of most unearned income in a month. VA pension is different: it is income based on need, so that $20 exclusion does not apply, and the pension can reduce SSI dollar for dollar. Aid and attendance, housebound allowance, and special monthly compensation are not income for SSI. The extra amount VA adds because of a dependent is not income to the veteran.

Salleha Chaudhry
Last reviewed October 15, 2026

What you can do

  1. Social Security needs to know about a VA payment. The award letter is the record of that payment. A free accredited VSO can help with the VA side of this.
  2. The award letter separates basic compensation or pension from aid and attendance, housebound allowance, and special monthly compensation. Those add-ons are not counted as income.
  3. If a family member is the VA fiduciary, the payment is still your loved one's income for SSI, not the family member's.
  4. SSI and VA pension can exist together, but the pension amount usually shrinks the SSI amount. A Veterans Service Officer and a Social Security claim representative can run the two numbers. Inaya does not calculate the award.

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FAQs

Q: Does the $20 SSI exclusion apply to VA pension?

No. VA pension is income based on need, so that $20 exclusion does not apply. The pension can reduce SSI dollar for dollar. Social Security's rule is POMS SI 00830.302.

Q: Is special monthly compensation income for SSI?

No. Aid and attendance, housebound allowance, and special monthly compensation are not income for SSI. Social Security's rule is POMS SI 00830.304.