How Long Can I Keep My Disability Benefits?
If you are receiving Social Security disability benefits, could SSA discontinue your monthly checks? They could, but it would have to be because they have determined that your medical condition has improved and you are able to go back to work.
Your impairment and your ability to work are the two major criteria for eligibility of disability benefits. So, once you are approved, SSA will need to periodically check to see if anything has changed.
You will have to undergo two continuing disability reviews (CDRs); one on your disability, and one on your work status. How often these CDRs occur depends on your situation:
- Six to 18 months after your disability benefits began if your disability is likely to improve
- Every three years if your disability is expected to improve over time
- Once every five to seven years if you are unlikely to improve
You don’t have to do anything about scheduling a CDR. SSA will know when to contact you. Since the CDRs heavily rely on medical evidence, it would be wise for you to keep detailed, ongoing medical records.
If SSA decides that your disability has improved enough for you to go back to work, they will discontinue benefits three months after making the decision that you are no longer disabled. You can always appeal their decision if you disagree.
The one thing you must do is inform SSA if your condition improves, or if you have gone back to work. The work CDR reviews your earnings and, if you earn more than the current Substantial Gainful Allowance, you benefits will stop.
But, you never have to worry about losing benefits if your disability continues to prevent you from working. Your disability benefits are yours for as long as you need them.
I am on ssi and have been for 20 years I worked under the ticked to work program and earned work credits and now I approved for ssd. The onset day is 2008. will I lose all back pay or do i have to payback ssi all that they paid me over the years? im so confused
Hi Cathy,
Unless there were other stipulations surrounding your receving SSDI benefits, you should not have to pay anything back in. Your SSDI will just start now, going foward.
I have fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, arthritis, bursitis and scoliosis. I have been out of work since 2010. I have not applied for disability. My question is, can I get help financially through social services to help pay my bills while I wait for disability to start?
I was unable to get help from ssi until I was approved for disability. Following the approval I received all the back pay from the start date of my disability. After 24 months of being on disabilty i was able to receive medicare. hope this helps.
I am on ssd receiving about $1100 a mnth. My income before ssd allowed me to pay my mortgage. Now with a mortgage payment of $720, I can barely pay my utilities. Is there any help with mortgage payments?
Scott,
You may need to call Social Security and ask if there are any other programs out there they might be able to assist you with. I wish you the best of luck.
hi, i have fibromyalgia and arthritis at top of my spine, i am on a low rate cares dla, should i not be intitled to a higher rate as i no of 2 weman who have the same as me and they receive a higher rate, i now also have to change my diet due to gall bladder problems and waiting surgery to have it removed
how long do i have to spend down workers comp before recieving SSDI
Vickey,
This depends on the state you live in (some states workers compensation does not affect SSDI) and how much the payment is. I recommend contacting your local SSA office for more information. Good luck.
Ive been receiving ssdi for five years my condition has improved a little. They say I’m no longer Disabled. i filed a appeal. Now I’m waiting on a decision. I still receive Benefits What i don’t understand is why they cut my kids Benefits ?
Norris,
Please call SSA for further information. However, if someone is determined to no longer be disabled under SSA rules, benefits can stop completely.
I am deaf on SSD for over 13+ years. I used up my 9 months TWP I think years ago for my full-time job in 1997 which they stopped my benefits. I reapplied/or was reissued a year later in 1999 or 2000. Now in 2012 I started making income in October of 2012 doing surveys for cash. Because I don’t get w-2 I was thinking I didn’t have to report it. My dumb mistake. I now realize I should have. I made under $700 for 8 months. Oct 2012 – May 2013. I quit doing that this month. My issue is what is my earnings classified as? I don’t own a business nor do I run one. Doing taxes for 2012 my tax professional said to put down ‘other income’. I made $530 in 2012 doing surveys. Now I’m worried when I go report it, what are they going to do to me for not reporting it right away? Will I lose my benefits? I am able to show them how much I made under SGA but not the hours although I can try to come up with them myself best as I can. Any advice would be appreciated.
Kris,
I am not sure what may occur about not reporting it, but because it was under SGA I do not believe there will be an issue.