How Veterans Can Get VA Unemployment Benefits if They Can’t Work

• Author: Miguel Waters
• Posted: 2025-11-11

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be difficult for many U.S. veterans, especially if they have injuries or health issues related to their service. These issues can sometimes make it hard or even impossible for veterans to keep a steady job.

To help veterans in this situation, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a program called Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

This program provides monthly payments to veterans who can’t work because of physical or mental problems linked to their military service. Even if their official disability rating is not 100%, this program pays them as if it were.
 

Who Can Get These Benefits?

The VA says that if you can’t work because of a service-related disability, you may be eligible for Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

To qualify, veterans must:
 

• Be unable to get or keep a job that pays more than a small income because of their service-connected disability. (Small, part-time, or temporary jobs usually don’t count as substantial employment.)
• Meet one of these disability requirements:
• Have one service-connected disability rated at 60% or higher, or
• Have two or more service-connected disabilities, with at least one rated at 40% or higher, and a total rating of 70% or more.

In special cases, veterans who don’t meet these percentages might still qualify if their disability seriously affects their ability to work. The VA calls this “extra-schedular consideration.”
 

How to Apply

Veterans who want to apply should fill out the required forms and include documents such as medical records, doctor’s statements, and their work history. Applications can be submitted online at va.gov, by mail, or with the help of a Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

After applying, the VA will review the claim to see how much the veteran’s disabilities affect their ability to work. If approved, the veteran will receive payments at the 100% disability rate, even if their official rating is less.

However, the VA might sometimes ask for updates to make sure the veteran still qualifies.

It’s important to know that getting TDIU does not change your official disability rating; it just increases your monthly payments. Veterans should continue their medical care and keep records to prove that their condition still limits their ability to work.
 

Why This Matters

This program is especially important for veterans dealing with serious injuries, long-term illnesses, or mental health challenges like PTSD. TDIU helps give veterans financial stability and honors their service and sacrifices.

For more details or help, veterans can call the VA at 800-827-1000 or visit va.gov.

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