 SSDRC What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI? If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits? How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition? What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare? How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid? Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability? What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression? Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability Status Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts |
What determines how long I can keep my Disability Benefits under SSD or SSI?How to prove you are disabled and win disability benefits Social Security disability benefits do not time out or have a set termination date. You can keep your Social Security disability benefits until you turn full retirement age. At full retirement age your disability benefits automatically convert to full retirement benefits. This will change nothing for you as far as receiving a monthly benefit. It does however relieve you of periodic disability reviews and there is no limit to the amount of work you can do. However, there are no guarantees as to how long you can keep your disability benefits either. There are conditions or situations that could terminate your disability benefits. I can think of two common reasons for termination of disability benefits. They are medical improvement and work activity. All Social Security disability claims are periodically reviewed for medical improvement. Social Security disability claims are set for review every three years at the time they are approved. Some disability claims receive diary review dates of less or more than three years if the disability decision maker feels that the person is more likely to improve sooner or there is very little or no chance for medical improvement. If the decision maker sets a seven year diary for review it is considered a permanent disability. During these continuing disability reviews, your medical records are examined to determine if your doctors or records indicate your disabling condition has improved. If the records show your condition or conditions have improved, your disability benefits may be medically terminated. Social Security does allow you to appeal the disability medical termination, however your benefits will remain terminated if you do not win your appeal. This does not mean that you would not be allowed to file for disability again and if you are approved you may be able to resume disability benefits. As I mentioned above, the other situation that might cause you to be unable to keep your disability benefits is work activity. If you have returned to work you should contact your local Social Security office for information. Work activity can cause your disability benefits to be suspended or terminated. Social Security performs work continuing disability reviews as well as medical reviews. If Social Security becomes aware of earnings being reported to your record, your disability claim will be reviewed for work activity. Your work may not cause any change in your eligibility for disability or it could result in a termination or suspension of your disability benefits. Suspensions or terminations could not only cause you not to be able to keep your disability benefits but to be overpaid as well. Social Security considers it your responsibility to know how work can affect your disability entitlement; consequently you may have to repay any overpayment of benefits caused by your failure to report your work activity timely. It is just good policy to speak with Social Security when you are considering a return to work so that you can make an informed decision about returning to work. You are able to work some while on disability but it can be confusing so find out the information you need. 
Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page Topics and Questions SSD and SSI are Federal Programs The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here: Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials |