Veterans with a 60% VA disability rating can legally work without losing their benefits. The monthly compensation for 60% disabled veterans in 2024 is $1,361.88 for single individuals, with increases for dependents. Employment doesn’t affect VA pay unless you’re also receiving SSDI or TDIU, which have income limits. Many veterans successfully run side hustles or full-time businesses while keeping their benefits. Always track income and stay compliant with SSA and VA guidelines.
What Does a 60% VA Disability Rating Mean, Anyway?
Before we talk about jobs, money, or benefits, you need to understand what a 60% rating really means.
- It means the VA decided your service-connected conditions make you 60% disabled, based on medical evidence and how much it impacts daily tasks and work.
- Your monthly compensation is around $1,361.88 if you’re single with no dependents. Add a spouse or kids, and that check gets a bump.
- You still qualify for certain health care benefits, travel allowances, education support, and you can work if you choose to.
Let’s pound this in right now — a 60% disability rating from the VA does NOT mean you are unemployable. It just means your condition affects your ability to function at 60% — not 100% disabled or totally unemployable.
Can You Work With a 60% VA Rating? Absolutely. And Here’s How.
There’s no rule that says you have to sit at home and watch your life pass you by. If you’ve got fight left in you and want to work, go for it.
VA disability payments at 60% don’t stop if you pick up a job. You earned those benefits. But it gets tricky if you’ve also applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
Quick Look: Who You Gotta Watch Out For
| Benefit | Can You Work? | What’s the Limit? |
|---|---|---|
| VA Disability (60%) | Yes | No earning limit |
| SSDI | Yes (with restrictions) | $1,550/month (2024 SGA) |
| TDIU | Mostly No | Only marginal employment allowed |
So if you’re only getting 60% VA disability, you’re in the clear to work a job, launch your own business, flip houses, whatever. Just keep showing up for your VA appointments and let your doctors know what’s going on.
What If You’re Also on SSDI?
That’s where it gets a little sticky. Not impossible, but you have to be smart about it.
- SSDI allows you to work up to $1,550/month (in 2024) without losing benefits. This is known as SGA – Substantial Gainful Activity. Go above that, and the Social Security clock starts ticking.
- You get a 9-month trial period where you can test working (no income limits here). After that, SSA keeps a close eye for 36 months.
- The SS system looks at your ability to work — not your VA rating.
If you’ve got both VA disability and SSDI, then yes — you can work, but the $1,550/month number is your line.
If you’re killing it flipping stuff on Facebook Marketplace, bartending weekends, or freelancing — track your income. That number matters.
Don’t blow this up by being sloppy with the income reports. SSA doesn’t play around.
Is There a Type of Work That’s “Safer” Than Others?
Not everything has to be full-time or intense. I’ve seen guys work at Home Depot 15 hours/week. Others do handyman stuff for neighbors. Some love Uber. One guy I know started a BBQ pop-up out of his garage on Saturdays. He keeps it part-time and tracks his stuff. He’s happy. Still gets his VA money.
You don’t have to go corporate suit-and-tie. Just stay within the rules. Especially if SSDI is in play.
What If I Want to Go BIG Again — Full-Time Work, Starting a Business, Six Figures?
Let’s talk real. You have a 60% VA disability rating. That sets your monthly comp, but it doesn’t lock you in the house.
If you’ve got dreams, goals, business savvy, or just plain motivation — chase it down. You can grow without giving up what you’ve earned.
VA won’t claw back those funds just because you level up. You only take a hard look at benefits if you’re going up for reevaluation or trying to get Individual Unemployability (TDIU). More on that in a sec.
Let your doctors know what you’re planning. Keep the symptoms legit. Tell the truth. But don’t let fear of losing your benefits stop you from building again.
And if you’re out here trying to fire up real estate deals, invest in cash flow, or build something long-term — there are tools that help. Check out ReAlpha’s blog for real advice on passive income and real estate when you’ve got a disability income stream.
FAQs
Can I work while receiving 60% VA disability?
Yes. 100%. As long as you’re not also on TDIU, you can work full-time, part-time, or run your business. There are ZERO income limits tied strictly to your VA disability payment.
Does working affect my 60% VA disability payments?
Nope. The VA doesn’t reduce your compensation just because you work… UNLESS you go for TDIU, then work impacts that big time.
What’s the monthly compensation for a 60% disabled veteran in 2024?
Right now, it’s $1,361.88 monthly for a single vet with no dependents. Got a spouse or kids? The payments go up from there.
How does SSDI treat someone with a 60% VA disability?
SSDI is a totally separate system. It cares about your ability to work, not your VA percentage. You can work while on SSDI, but you’ve got to stay under the SGA limit – $1,550 per month in 2024.
Can I start a side hustle or business with VA disability?
You bet. Many vets do. Whether it’s real estate, e-commerce, or handyman work — it’s all fair game. Just keep track of income if you’re also on SSDI.
Does my disability rating change if I start working?
It doesn’t change automatically. But if the VA sends you a reevaluation notice, your employment status might trigger questions. Always stay honest and grounded in the facts of your disability.
Bottom line:
Can you work with a 60% VA disability rating? Yeah, you absolutely can — and a whole lot of veterans are doing just that.