Don’t Be Caught Off Guard: 7 Reasons Your Disability Benefits Could End

1. Aging Out of Eligibility For SSDI/SSI

   
   

   Once a person reaches full retirement age, Social Security disability benefits are automatically converted to retirement benefits. This transition is a common reason why disability benefits may be discontinued. Although the amount of money you receive typically remains the same, the nature of the benefits changes. There’s no need to reapply for benefits; they simply switch from disability to retirement once you reach full retirement age, which is usually between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year.

   
   

2. Death of the beneficiary

   
   

   Once a person passes away, their Social Security disability benefits are terminated. For families who rely on benefits due to a loved one’s disability, it is essential to notify the SSA of the death promptly, as this ensures that benefits are not mistakenly paid out after the individual has passed.

   
   

3. Medical recovery

   
   

   Disability benefits are provided based on an individual’s inability to work due to a medical condition. If a person’s condition improves to the point where they can engage in substantial work again, their Social Security disability benefits can be terminated. The SSA regularly reviews cases to ensure that the individual continues to meet the medical requirements for disability benefits.  This is commonly referred to as a continuing disability review (CDR).  All disability cases are reviewed every three to seven years.  If you are found to no longer meet the criteria, benefits may be stopped.

   
   

4. Failure to cooperate

   
   

   When SSA decides to do a continuing disability review or other review of the claim, and the individual does not cooperate, even if they never received the forms, their benefits will be stopped.  Often, people move and do not update their address with Social Security. Failure to cooperate may result in the termination of benefits due to undeliverable mail. The same goes for any other review of the file, including the annual SSI review or failure to submit pay stubs to SSA.   It is important to keep your contact information updated at the Social Security Administration.  

   
   

5. Work recovery

   
   

   If a person on Social Security disability benefits can return to work and earn an income above a certain threshold, their benefits may be terminated. The SSA monitors the work activity of beneficiaries and will stop payments if the individual is deemed able to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). For SSDI recipients, this generally means earning more than a set monthly amount, which changes annually. While the SSA allows individuals to attempt a return to work through work incentive programs, ongoing employment may eventually lead to the termination of benefits.  SSI recipients do have a deduction in their benefits even if they are making under SGA.  All SSI recipients must turn in their pay each month, and the adjustments are made for the following month.  For anyone who exceeds the threshold for recipients, their benefits will eventually be stopped, and an overpayment may occur.  

   
   

6. Termination of benefits for disabled widow(er)s and adult children

   
   

    For individuals who receive benefits as disabled widow(er)s (DWB) or disabled adult children (DAC), there are additional factors that could result in a termination of benefits. One of the primary reasons for benefit cessation in these cases is marriage.DWB benefits are based on the earnings record of the deceased spouse.  If a disabled widow(er) remarries, they may lose their eligibility for DWB benefits depending on the age of the widow(er) when they remarry.  DAC benefits are based on the earnings record of the disabled child’s parents.  If the disabled chil

   d marries, they would become ineligible for DAC benefits as the marriage would sever their claim to benefits from the record of their parent.  In addition, if an individual receiving DAC can sustain substantial work activity, it would similarly sever their claim to benefits based on a parent’s earnings record in most situations.  A child who is receiving DAC benefits, who marries and then divorces, is not eligible for DAC again.

   
   

7. Incarceration

   
   

   Disability benefits will be suspended for individuals serving more than 30 days in prison or a penal institution after being convicted of a crime. Benefits will be reinstated the month following their release.  It is up to the individual to make sure that SSA is provided with proof of release from incarceration.  If incarceration is for more than one year, the individual will need to reapply for benefits.