Receiving Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits allows for financial stability when a serious condition impacts a person’s ability to earn a living. Understanding how improved health could affect your SSD benefits is crucial, especially if you are relying on these benefits to cover essential living expenses.
Social Security Disability only intends to provide long-term assistance to individuals with disabilities. So, the benefits will not continue indefinitely. The Social Security Administration (SSA) regularly reviews cases to help ensure beneficiaries continue to meet eligibility criteria.
How the SSA monitors your disability status
The SSA conducts Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) to check if individuals still qualify for SSD benefits. The regularity of CDR reviews depends on the expected course of the beneficiary’s condition. For example, if SSA expects your condition to improve, your case may be checked every 6 to 18 months. However, if the SSA deems your condition unlikely to improve, you may only be reviewed every 5 to 7 years.
During a CDR, the SSA will seek updated medical records and possibly have you undergo additional exams. If the SSA determines your condition is good enough for you to return to work, they may terminate your SSD benefits.
However, they don’t base this decision on improvement alone; they must also determine that you can engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA), meaning work that provides more than a minimal income level.
If your condition improves and the SSA decides you no longer qualify for SSD benefits, you have options. You can appeal the decision if you believe your condition still stops you from working. This appeals process involves a review of your case by an administrative law judge, and you may present more evidence to support your claim.
Also, if you lose your benefits but later find that your condition worsens again, you can request reinstatement of your SSD benefits without going through the entire application process again. This is known as “expedited reinstatement.”
Even if your condition improves, if you can not perform substantial gainful activity, you may continue receiving SSD benefits. The SSA sets a monthly income limit for SGA, and if your earnings remain below this threshold, your benefits will likely continue. A skilled legal team can guide you on the options available to you, as well as your rights under the law.
