Individual Unemployability If You Can’t Work

<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en"><head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="True"> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="320"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">  <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagmanager.com">    <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/unemployability/">  <meta name="DC.Date" scheme="W3CDTF" content="2024-05-03">     <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/unemployability/">  <meta property="og:type" content="website">   <meta name="description" content="If you can’t work because of a disability related to your service in the military, you may qualify for Individual Unemployability. This means you may be able to get disability compensation or benefits at the same level as a Veteran who has a 100% disability rating. 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Keep reading to find out if you may be eligible."> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.va.gov/img/design/logo/va-og-image.png"> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Veterans Affairs"> <meta property="og:title" content="Individual Unemployability if you can’t work | Veterans Affairs"> <title>Individual Unemployability If You Can’t Work | Veterans Affairs</title> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Find out how to file for VA Individual Unemployability compensation if you’re an unemployed Veteran who can't work due to a service-connected disability. 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This simple hack // ensures that the height is not computed until the next run of the event // loop setTimeout(() => { navTriggerPlaceholder.style.height = getButtonHeight(true) + 'px' buttonBackground.style.height = getButtonHeight(false) + 'px' }, 0) } function setMenuTriggerPosition() { navTriggerPosition = navTriggerPlaceholder.offsetTop } function pinTrigger() { if (mobileMediaQuery.matches) { if (navTriggerPosition < window.pageYOffset) { navTrigger.classList.add('fixed-trigger') } else { navTrigger.classList.remove('fixed-trigger') } } } // As the document loads, make sure the height and trigger positions are // updated document.onreadystatechange = () => { setElementHeights() setMenuTriggerPosition() } window.addEventListener( 'resize', () => { // The height of the trigger can change at extreme browser widths setElementHeights() // The trigger can be pushed up/down as elements above it change height as // the browser width changes setMenuTriggerPosition() // We might need to pin/unpin the trigger if we transitions from/to mobile // browser widths pinTrigger() }, false ) window.addEventListener( 'scroll', () => { // We are resetting the trigger button's position on scroll just in case any // elements have been removed from above the menu trigger, such as a // dismissible alert. setMenuTriggerPosition() // Primarily scrolling will pin/unpin the trigger from the top of the // viewport pinTrigger() }, false ) </script> <article class="usa-content vads-u-padding-bottom--0"> <div data-widget-type="i18-select"></div> <h1>Individual Unemployability if you can’t work</h1> <div class="va-introtext"> <p>If you can’t work because of a disability related to your service in the military, you may qualify for Individual Unemployability. This means you may be able to get disability compensation or benefits at the same level as a Veteran who has a 100% disability rating. Keep reading to find out if you may be eligible.</p> </div> <div class="feature"> <div data-template="paragraphs/q_a" data-entity-id="6298" data-analytics-faq-section data-analytics-faq-text="Am I eligible for this benefit from VA?"> <div id="6298"> <div class="vads-u-display--flex"> <h2 id="am-i-eligible-for-this-benefit"> Am I eligible for this benefit from VA? </h2> </div> <div data-entity-id="6298"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="6299"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>You may be eligible for Individual Unemployability if you meet the requirements listed here.</p><p><strong>This must be true:</strong> </p><p>You can’t hold down a steady job that supports you financially (known as substantially gainful employment) because of your service-connected disability. Odd jobs (marginal employment) don’t count.</p><p><strong>And one of these must be true:</strong></p><ul><li>You have at least 1 service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, <strong>or </strong></li><li>You have 2 or more service-connected disabilities, with at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more</li></ul><p>In certain cases—for example, if you need to be in the hospital often—you may qualify at a lower disability rating.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script type="application/ld+json" nonce="gosibX7qQDXIXkVrPs2gSgoy2gV9rZHm"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "If I鈥檓 eligible for Individual Unemployability, will my disability rating change?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What鈥檚 an example of Individual Unemployability?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I get these benefits?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What evidence do I need to submit?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if I have questions about these benefits?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "" } } ] } </script> <div data-template="paragraphs/q_a_section" data-entity-id="6307"> <div data-template="paragraphs/q_a" data-entity-id="144883" data-analytics-faq-section data-analytics-faq-text="If I’m eligible for Individual Unemployability, will my disability rating change?"> <div id="144883"> <div class="vads-u-display--flex"> <h2 id="if-im-eligible-for-individual-"> If I’m eligible for Individual Unemployability, will my disability rating change? </h2> </div> <div data-entity-id="144883"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="144882"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>No. If you’re eligible for Individual Unemployability, the amount of your monthly compensation payment will change, but your disability rating will stay the same.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-template="paragraphs/q_a" data-entity-id="143481" data-analytics-faq-section data-analytics-faq-text="What’s an example of Individual Unemployability?"> <div id="143481"> <div class="vads-u-display--flex"> <h2 id="whats-an-example-of-individual"> What’s an example of Individual Unemployability? </h2> </div> <div data-entity-id="143481"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="143480"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>A Veteran has a service-connected heart condition and a 60% disability rating. She was still able to work until last year when she began to get chest pain when doing anything physical, like walking or lifting boxes. Her doctor told her to retire as soon as possible. She filed a claim for more disability compensation. We reviewed her work and education history and agreed that she was individually unemployable because of her service-connected disability. So we increased her disability compensation to the same rate as a 100% disabled Veteran.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-template="paragraphs/q_a" data-entity-id="6306" data-analytics-faq-section data-analytics-faq-text="How do I get these benefits?"> <div id="6306"> <div class="vads-u-display--flex"> <h2 id="how-do-i-get-these-benefits"> How do I get these benefits? </h2> </div> <div data-entity-id="6306"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="6308"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>You’ll need to submit both of the forms listed here. </p><ul><li>A Veteran’s Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940)<br><a href="/find-forms/about-form-21-8940" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e1d407d3-126a-4390-a397-8aeb6734fd98" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="About VA Form 21-8940">Get VA Form 21-8940 to download</a></li></ul><p><strong>and</strong></p><ul><li>A Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits (VA Form 21-4192)<br><a href="/find-forms/about-form-21-4192" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="0513cede-6008-47ea-8142-a6a3ef1a7998" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="About VA Form 21-4192">Get VA Form 21-4192 to download</a></li></ul><p><strong>Note:</strong> You must have a service-connected disability to get a clothing allowance. If you haven’t filed a claim for disability compensation yet, you’ll need to do that first. </p><p><a href="/disability/how-to-file-claim" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="414c54b9-cd5c-4d86-8203-fc2489e4be8a" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="How to file a VA disability claim">Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-template="paragraphs/q_a" data-entity-id="143483" data-analytics-faq-section data-analytics-faq-text="What evidence do I need to submit?"> <div id="143483"> <div class="vads-u-display--flex"> <h2 id="what-evidence-do-i-need-to-sub"> What evidence do I need to submit? </h2> </div> <div data-entity-id="143483"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="143482"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>You’ll have to provide evidence (supporting documents like a doctor’s report or medical test results) showing that your disability prevents you from holding down a steady job. </p><p>We’ll also review your work and education history.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-template="paragraphs/q_a" data-entity-id="143486" data-analytics-faq-section data-analytics-faq-text="What if I have questions about these benefits?"> <div id="143486"> <div class="vads-u-display--flex"> <h2 id="what-if-i-have-questions-about"> What if I have questions about these benefits? </h2> </div> <div data-entity-id="143486"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="143485"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>You can call us at <a href="tel:+18008271000" aria-label="8 0 0. 8 2 7. 1 0 0 0.">800-827-1000</a>. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <va-back-to-top></va-back-to-top>  <div class="last-updated usa-content vads-u-padding-x--1 desktop-lg:vads-u-padding-x--0"> <div class="mobile-lg:vads-u-display--flex above-footer-elements-container"> <div class="vads-u-flex--auto"> <span class="vads-u-text-align--justify"> <p>Last updated: <time datetime="2024-05-03">May 3, 2024</time></p> </span> </div> <div class="vads-u-flex--1 vads-u-text-align--right"> <span class="vads-u-text-align--right"> <button type="button" class="feedback-button usa-button" id="mdFormButton" aria-label="give feedback"> Feedback </button> </span> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div></main> </div> </div>  <script nonce="gosibX7qQDXIXkVrPs2gSgoy2gV9rZHm" type="text/javascript" defer src="https://www.datadoghq-browser-agent.com/datadog-rum-v5.js"></script> <script nonce="gosibX7qQDXIXkVrPs2gSgoy2gV9rZHm" type="text/javascript"> window.addEventListener('load', () => { // All of the page urls we want to monitor include www.va.gov (production only) if (window.DD_RUM && window.location?.hostname === 'www.va.gov') { /** * Unauthenticated Static pages may be crawled by bots, so we won't initialize * RUM sessions. 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Individual Unemployability If You Can’t Work | Veterans Affairs