There are five major benefit programs that provide financial support to veterans with disabilities: The Department of Defense (DoD) Disability Retirement program; the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Disability Compensation and Veterans Pension programs; and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. These programs vary widely in terms of purpose, eligibility criteria, beneficiary characteristics, amount of benefits, interactions with other programs, and the effect of employment on continued eligibility and cash benefit amount. The differences are complex and difficult to understand, often making it extremely difficult for veterans with disabilities to make fully informed financial and employment choices.

In addition to the cash benefit programs, veterans may be accessing healthcare through one or more federal government programs including TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, and/or the VA Healthcare System. Each of the programs has its own eligibility requirements (including income and resource limits in some cases) and each has its own set of rules governing participating providers, covered services, limits of coverage, and out-of-pocket costs. For individuals who receive health care coverage from multiple programs, enrollment requirements and payment for services may involve complex program interactions and require veterans to make decisions about their healthcare choices.