I am a 100% permanent & total service-connected disabled veteran. Is there any legitimate business I run from my computer and make money?

PO2 Robert M. — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 11:32:30 -0500

I am wondering if there is any business that I can make money with my computer and not jeopardize my benefits. This is a "SERIOUS" question; not a get rich quick scheme. If this is NOT allowed, please remove it with my apologies! Thank you! Bob

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Feb 5 at 2019 11:36 AM

SPC Douglas Bolton — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 11:36:11 -0500

PO2 Robert M. This is totally allowed Bob. Look this up on Google search. I am sure it has a long list. Happy hunting.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 5 at 2019 11:36 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 11:36:20 -0500

Bob, as far as I understand it, you may and can post posts about making money. You just can't make money on Rally Point. I know the latter; for sure. In addition Bob, I would, if I were you, direct an e-mail to The Rally Point Support Team; regarding whether you can post posts about making money on Rally Point, or not.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 11:47 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 11:47:28 -0500

PO2 Robert M. Here is a previous Post with good information.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/understanding-what-it-means-to-be-rated-100-disabled

Understanding What It Means to Be Rated 100% Disabled | RallyPoint

Unfortunately, many veterans are too often confused about Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 100 percent disability ratings and whether or not they are allowed to secure gainful employment if rated at 100 percent. While complex, and sometimes confusing to the most experienced VSO, let’s take a look at the four types of 100 percent disability ratings in plain, understandable English. 1. Combined. When a veteran's service-connected disabilities...

Response by SSG Douglas M. Ducote Sr. made Feb 5 at 2019 12:10 PM

SSG Douglas M. Ducote Sr. — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:10:00 -0500

Hello Brother, I am also 100% Permanent and total. I started a YouTube channel to talk politics and other news related subjects that effects veterans and civilians. Before I did this I spoke with the VA and Social Security to see if it would be a conflict and was told it would not, because I’m not physically out employed with a company. That being said I did not monetize my videos for my personal income, all my monetized video income goes to my nonprofit Veterans United For Justice. But, per the VA you could do this as an additional income without it interfering with your VA. I’ve learned that via YouTube one can make as little or as lot as you would like after you get a good following. Have any other questions please reach out and I’ll help. Douglas

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 12:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:20:57 -0500

What degrees/training do you have? I know often especially now you can work quite a bit from home. People who caption television can work entirely from home for example but you may need to take a class or get a certification. Good luck.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Feb 5 at 2019 12:25 PM

PO3 Phyllis Maynard — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:25:49 -0500

PO2 Robert M. I would step lightly. This is a slippery slope. The link provided gives awesome factual information.

What it does not give is the human factor. If you come under re-evaluation because the IRS, SSA, and VA interfaced computers pick up your SSN as employed, you may cause every aspect of your urgent status being re-evaluated. The human fa Tor is the loophole. And careful, some veteran service Officers who work 40 hours may not feel happy on the inside that you are 100% P/T trying to make extra money. If you don't get SSD, apply to SSA for the disability benefit. BUT, I don't feel good about this move you are contemplating

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 12:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:26:58 -0500

There are entire blogs dedicated to the subject, it wouldn't be possible cover it all here. You should start with searches for web storefront, Drop Shipping, and generating passive streams of income, and Amazon reseller

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Feb 5 at 2019 12:30 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 12:30:09 -0500

You might be able to run a headhunter/ recruiting service to merge candidates and employers together concentrating on Veterans employment.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Feb 5 at 2019 1:19 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 13:19:24 -0500

Anyone help Bob out?

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Feb 5 at 2019 1:55 PM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 13:55:54 -0500

I'll ask around Bob.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Feb 5 at 2019 3:09 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:09:59 -0500

Great question, my friend PO2 Robert M.
My youngest sister has been working from home for over 30 years. In her case she translates French legal documents.
I recommend focusing on what skills you have that may be marketable and then do some research to see what opportunities exist and try to identify gaps that you could fill.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2019 5:25 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 17:25:46 -0500

If your 100% rating is based on individual unemployability (IU or TDIU), the rules below apply.

If your combined rating is 100% (and not based on a condition that interferes with employment) there is no risk to your VA benefits, you can earn as much as you want.) The P&T rating only means the VA determined your condition will not improve.

If your combined rating was less than 100%, and you were granted IU or TDIU, it was done on the basis of not being able to maintain gainful employment.

If the rating is based on umemployability, a home business MAY likely meet the sheltered family business environment, and "may not" pose a risk, but the VA would consider the facts. Everything is case by case.

CFR 38 4.16
Marginal employment shall not be considered substantially gainful employment. For purposes of this section, marginal employment generally shall be deemed to exist when a veteran’s earned annual income does not exceed the amount established by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, as the poverty threshold for one person. Marginal employment may also be held to exist, on a facts found basis (includes but is not limited to employment in a protected environment such as a family business or sheltered workshop), when earned annual income exceeds the poverty threshold.

2019 poverty threshold for one is ~$12,490.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Feb 5 at 2019 5:43 PM

SFC William Farrell — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 17:43:15 -0500

If you’re 100% P&T, not with unemployability you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. I worked full time for the Air Force at 100%. If you have IU then you are getting a 100% because you can’t work any the VA is compensating you for that. You will jeopardize your benefits that way.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 5 at 2019 9:52 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 21:52:39 -0500

I saw what you'd asked, I'd wanted to volunteer a good long while, I'm total perm 100%, trust me, that's never to be revisited, above total disabled indiv unemployable (TDII), honest, though mine took six and a half yrs to process by a vet group and an exprncd attorney from a group called NOVA, a vet advocate group, http://www.vetadvocates.org, please believe me, they're the very top of the VA disability food chain aside from the vet groups, and vet law school clinics, promise...when you're TDIU, trust me, look up a program called RSVP under SeniorCorps, analogpus to VISTA under AmeriCorps, I'm assuming you're also likely on SSDI from Social Security, if not, you should submit for that also, however, believe me, I've run that whole thing up the legal flagpole six ways from Sunday, I was told basically, when you're VA 100%, purely for safety, one doesn't even think of working, I realize that's strictly my own worm's-eye cynical view, however, I actually knew of an instance one guy vilunteering at a VA hospital I trained at before my disability, I was doctoral allied health clinical, we shut my license off sevl yrs ago, actually had aggravation, as some buttinski supposed do-gooder asked why he was volunteering being as he was 100%, and he wound up losing his benefits, I knew the one it happened to somewhat, so I have pretty fair faith the story was true...I'd wanted to be volunteer online faculty, if I could, or to help at VA with clinical research, or teaching and/or research at a college near us through RSVP, even that's been like pulling teeth, honest, believe me, I get what you want to do, I certainly perceive why, however, honestly, the upshot I've gleamed has been that when one is VA100%, you're basically a potted plant to be fed and watered, I loathe needing to say that, truly, however, I've been told it many times, I assure you, you're basically a mushroom fertilizing in the dark, God knows I wish I could find a way to do ANYTHING even semis constructive intellectually, and God knows, I'm still trying, however, short of an act of God, a papal decree, manna from heaven, or the Red Sea parting or something, even the Social Security Ticket to Work thing, look that up, I've been told pretty much forget it...we'd need to wait till my SSDI would convert to regular SSA benefits, till then, honest, so far as I've been able to glean, no soap, I assure you...now, all that being said, I'm obv neither omnipotent nor omniscient, so, that being said, I could conceivably be wrong, I'm hardly the last word, I realize that, I !merely err on the side of grim caution, I'm afraid, so, if anyone here thinks my outlook too bleak, by all means, tell me, however, in all my searches, honest, that's what I've been told thus far, I assure you, I hope that at least !ales some sense, even though an admittedly bleak outlook...we have you friends, family, roof over head, food in stomachs, gas in the cars, bills paid...for now, barring a volunteering miracle through RSVP, and for that one has to be 55 or more, Americorps and VISTA are out, as rose are all paid gigs...honest, believe me, if there were a way, I'd have likely found it by now, of that I'm reasonably certain, though, as I'd also said, I could well still be wrong, one never knows for sue, you know?

Home

Response by SFC Toby Northen made Feb 6 at 2019 12:52 AM

SFC Toby Northen — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 00:52:56 -0500

PO2 Robert M. have you looked into Vocational Rehabilitation & Education (VR&E)? Look into it. Schedule and sit down with a VA (VR&E) counselor. They go over your goals and disabilities and assist you in determining the step-by-step to reach your goal.

Response by SGT John Watson made Feb 12 at 2019 9:20 PM

SGT John Watson — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 21:20:35 -0500

Casino

Response by Lt Col David Myers made Apr 28 at 2019 7:19 PM

Lt Col David Myers — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 19:19:12 -0400

Robert,
There are many franchise opportunities in a number of different career areas. I would highly recommend that you focus on those that truly interest you but are also in a sustainable market. Use your available resources to thoroughly research each opportunity you explore to include funding opportunities. Your local Small Business Administration and Chamber of Commerce should also be part of your business search.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Feb 2 at 2020 5:48 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 17:48:13 -0500

You could definitely become an Advocate for Disabled Veterans! Unsure of How to tackle this from Your perspective. I use my telephone & email to the Governor. I also call WH Hotline & OIG. I am not paid (in $ ) fir my advocacy. I am rewarded when Veterans receive proper & adequate benefits!
Message me if you would like phone numbers or particular types of contacts.
Awesome to know You want to do Something! I am also 100% Service-Connected. I did everything myself & it took 19 years to reach 100% rating. Now I am advocating for travel & lodging reimbursement for myself & other Veterans who utilize the Durham VAMC. Not an easy task even for former ArmyAG Corps female Soldier! I also was a private VA VR Counselor, so I figured how to ‘navigate’ several avenues to obtain assistance in My efforts. When all else fails, I resort to Legal avenues...I am in This Battle to Win!

Good Luck to You PO2 Robert Mickelson!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2020 8:25 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 20:25:23 -0500

Beware of most and vet all fully. As to the conflicts, I can't say. Have you looked at VA Vocational Rehab. You're eligible because you are over 30%, but may already have a degree. It's not confined to college though, so maybe you can merge that with your goal. Free ride, tuition, books, all supplies. VA.gov and hope it helps.

Response by SFC Robert Escher made Jul 6 at 2022 10:20 AM

SFC Robert Escher — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 10:20:41 -0400

If you are 100% NOT 100% TDIU you can work to your hearts content. If you are 100% TDIU you can only work up to the medium income level ( typically around $17,000.00) there are other provisions with the TDIU

Response by COL Eric Burns made Jul 24 at 2022 10:46 AM

COL Eric Burns — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 10:46:51 -0400

Have them change or check to see if your 100 percent with unemployability or employability ,you will lose some money and check with social security with both employability and social security you can work ,social security can help alleviate that financial burden with your disibility rating with discriptions of injuries if refuse ss benefits call a attorney