Should veterans and retirees be "Triple Dipping?"

You could get 70% disability for five years and then find out you have to pay back all your drill pay because they call it double dipping. I recieve disability because of the run in with the cops and the almost loss of my family. Now that it is becoming more stable I have to pay back 5 years of drill pay because I can't claim drill pay with disability. I didn't ask for disability compensation I asked for help with my life after two stressful deployments. Now I pay back the money I earned doing drills and dealing with snot nosed privates with no respect anymore. 18 years and out sounds really good. Sad

If you are service connected the VA picks up the spouse's medical just like the vets. You get a ID card and go on base for shopping so I don't get the SSI. But I am talking -100 per cent. My Dad was from WW2. I think George W signed it into law around 2001, not at all sure. Same time TFL came into being. The VA usually doesn't tell people this information. It like most all things military, you find it out by yourself. Unless you are doing something wrong.

SSI is a benefit for the blind, disabled or over 65 who meet the poverty requirements. I believe you mean disability benefit (SSDI) which we (those who work) pay into. The poverty limit is very low, so very few vets will quallify for ssi.

If you have a hard time functioning because of your service, you deserve anything you qualify for as promised to you as an American Veteran. I think the small percentage shows a lot of our warriors who got shot, blasted, crashed, burned, run over and otherwise gave their best years to their country. They deserve to be taken care of, and I think we need to do a much better job. These men and women deserve our support. All gave some, but some gave all, you know? There is fraud out there, but triple dipping through qualification does not appear to be it.

You'd have to be pretty torn up medically to qualify. I'd rather have my health than money. I'm sure the recipients would too. Look how healthy of mind and body one is when they join up. Then look at what military life did to those bodies and their mind. You are exiting, older, less healthy, lost ground to civilians because of the time you spent in service....so if u qualify enjoy it!

They should change the requirements.

Finally one right up my ally and i don't have to worry about not making it sound like it is all about me. Because it isn't just about me. I was happy to ETS in 2003, tried to ETS, was told I could not just ETS because of my disability. 2 1/2 years later in 2005. I get out on a medical 30% from Army. 12 months later (2006) i get my Va 40%. So I don't qualify to get Army retirement since my VA is more, I apply for SSDI in 2007 and am denied because I can work. in 2012 after constant refiling I get 80 % and IU (Individual unemployablilty) from the VA. In 2014 I again file for SSDI and am told by social security that While I may be disabled by VA standards, I am not disabled by Sociel Security standards. However with IU, I am not allowed to work or i will forfeit more than half of my pay because I will be working. Besides I get IU because I am unable to keep a job due to my disabilities for more than 12 months consecutive. forward to 2016 after two denials and getting a lawyer I finally have a shot at SSDI. I will find out in June 2016. For the Record I am Service connected for Right eye blindness, by lateral panyuveituse, right hand, left elbow, both knees, both ankles, my back, right shoulder, both feet. But the State hinks I can work. I got no problem getting what I earned and deserve after being deployed overseas 3 times, serving in Desert storm, Korea, and Kuwait before and after 9/11. And more power to any of my brothers and sisters in Arms for getting anything they can get. Also what is neglected and not mentioned is you get Military Retirement, then you get VA it is all the same, If your VA is 1200 and you opt to get military retirement at say 600. You wil get 600 from Military retirement (taxable) and 600 from VA disability non taxable. Unless you do the smart thing and plan for the long term, knowing you will get more from the VA and waive all rights to Military retirement as I did.

Aa

I served 20 years and I'm 90% disabled. I haven't applied for ssi because I don't need it. But I wanted to to say, having disability has nothing to do with retirement.

I don't know how you could qualify for SSI if you are drawing retirenent. Retired pay should put you over the income level to qualify. SSI is for low income ppl.