Disability benefits are essential to daily life when you cannot earn a gainful living on your own. According to the Social Security Administration, benefits will continue as long as a person remains disabled and incapable of supporting themselves financially.
However, there are some circumstances that can cause benefits to stop. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind regarding benefit eligibility.
How often does the SSA review your case?
Continuing Disability Review (CDR) timelines vary according to the outlook of your health condition. When the SSA expects a disability to improve, they will typically review the case from 6 to 18 months after its initial decision. If improvement is possible, but not expected, the CDR will take place once every three years. In the event improvement is not expected, reviews occur every seven years.
What are some reasons that benefits might stop?
There are two reasons why the SSA may decide to end your benefits. If the CDR indicates an improvement in your medical condition, to the point where it claims that disability is no longer a factor, your benefits will probably end.
Your Trial Work Period (TWP) is another consideration. After the nine-month TWP, you will go through a re-entitlement period lasting 36 months. The SSA will review earnings over this period to determine whether they are substantial. For comparison, earnings equal to or above the 2023 average of $1,470 per month are substantial and would result in lost benefits during those months.
When should you contact the SSA?
In the event your circumstances change, you must also contact the SSA to inform them of the situation. In addition to changes to your health, you must also reach out if you go back to work, even on a part-time basis.