Can I lose SSDI?

Asked by: Craig Kuvalis  |  Last update: October 22, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (37 votes)

Social Security rarely terminates disability benefits due to medical improvement, but you can lose your SSDI or SSI benefits because of other factors, like income. Although it's rare, there are circumstances under which the Social Security Administration (SSA) can end your disability benefits.

What can cause you to lose your SSDI?

Common Reasons People Lose SSDI
  • Your condition improves to the point where it doesn't interfere with your ability to work. SSDI benefits are based on your ability to work. ...
  • You return to work for any reason. ...
  • You reach retirement age. ...
  • You are incarcerated or convicted of a felony.

Can my SSDI benefits be taken away?

Recipients of SSDI and SSI can have their disability benefits taken away for many reasons. The most common reasons relate to an increase in income or payment-in-kind. Individuals can also have their benefits terminated if they are suspected of fraud or convicted of a serious crime.

How long does SSDI last?

To put it in the simplest terms, Social Security Disability benefits can remain in effect for as long as you are disabled or until you reach the age of 65. Once you reach the age of 65, Social Security Disability benefits stop and retirement benefits kick in.

Why would Social Security disability benefits be suspended?

If you realize that you've been overpaid or that you're at risk of being overpaid by Social Security due to your substantial work activity and wages, you may be able to request that your SSDI payments be suspended.

What Can Make You Lose Disability Benefits?

25 related questions found

How often does SSDI get reviewed?

If improvement is possible, but can't be predicted, we'll review your case about every three years. If improvement is not expected, we'll review your case every seven years. Your initial award notice will tell you when you can expect your first medical review.

At what age does SSDI stop doing reviews?

If your disability continues, you are not substantially employed, you are not incarcerated, and you prepare for and cooperate with the SSA's continuing disability reviews, your social disability benefits should continue until you are aged 65 when they will convert to retirement benefits.

Does SSDI check your bank account?

We'll need information about your income, your resources, your living arrangements, and your bank accounts. Keep the savings or checking account statements you get from your bank. You may need them when we review your case.

How much money can a person on SSDI have in the bank?

The SSDI program does not limit the amount of cash, assets, or resources an applicant owns. An SSDI applicant can own two houses, five cars, and have $1,000,000 in the bank. And the SSDI program doesn't have a limit to the amount of unearned income someone can bring in; for instance, dividends from investments.

How much savings can you have on SSDI?

There are limits on how much you can earn from work while collecting SSDI payments but no restrictions on assets. You can have a savings account with as much money in it as you choose to save. That is not the case if you receive SSI, which provides cash assistance to older, disabled and blind people in financial need.

How much money can you have in the bank with Social Security disability?

To get SSI, your countable resources must not be worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. We call this the resource limit. Countable resources are the things you own that count toward the resource limit.

What happens to my SSDI when I turn 62?

If you turn 62 in 2022, you're eligible for only 70 percent of that full retirement benefit, so your SSDI benefit will probably be higher. When you reach FRA, the disability benefit automatically converts to a retirement benefit, and you'll get the same monthly amount you've been getting.

What triggers a continuing disability review?

WHAT IS A CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEW? Social Security periodically reviews your medical impairment(s) to determine if you continue to have a disabling condition. If we determine that you are no longer disabled or blind, your benefits will stop. We call this review a continuing disability review (CDR).

How does Social Security investigate?

CDI Investigation

CDI investigations typically begin with a report of suspected fraud from SSA, State DDS, law enforcement, or the public. The CDI unit investigates statements and activities of claimants, medical providers, and other third parties, and obtains evidence to resolve questions of potential fraud.

Who makes the final decision on Social Security disability?

While the DDS office reviews applications and makes recommendations to the SSA, it is the SSA which makes the final decision to accept or reject claims for disability benefits.

Does everyone on SSDI get reviewed?

Social Security periodically reviews the condition of all Social Security disability recipients to confirm they still fit the definition of disabled – that is, that they are still unable to work. These reviews are called continuing disability reviews.

Is SSDI taxable?

As of 2020, SSDI payments are considered taxable for individuals who have over $25,000 in yearly income or married couples with over $32,000 in yearly income. (Your income is one-half of your SSDI benefit plus the full amount of any other sources of household income.)

How do people survive on disability income?

If you've been having trouble making your Social Security Disability payments cover your monthly living expenses, try some of the following tips and suggestions.
  1. Apply for Additional Assistance. ...
  2. Start Clipping Coupons. ...
  3. Look Into Energy Assistance. ...
  4. Additional Income Sources. ...
  5. Look for Income-Based Housing.

What are the rules for working while on SSDI?

Can You Work While on SSDI? Generally, SSDI recipients can't do what's considered "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) and continue to receive disability benefits. In a nutshell, doing SGA means you're working and making more than $1,350 per month in 2022 (or $2,260 if you're blind).

What happens to SSDI when you reach retirement age?

If you're receiving Social Security disability benefits,

your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same.

Will my SSDI change when I turn 65?

If you are collecting Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits, you may wonder what happens when you reach full retirement age (FRA). The good news is, your benefits will automatically convert and for most people, your benefits remain the same.

Can you collect SSDI and Social Security at the same time?

Example of concurrent benefits with Employment Supports. Many individuals are eligible for benefits under both the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs at the same time. We use the term “concurrent” when individuals are eligible for benefits under both programs.

How often does Social Security check your bank account?

As we explain in this blog post, SSI can check your bank accounts anywhere from every one year to six years, or when you experience certain life-changing experiences. The 2022 maximum amount of available financial resources for SSI eligibility remains at $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.

Does a person on disability have to file taxes?

But the good news is that you will never have to pay tax on all of your disability benefits. In fact, no matter how much you make, you will never have to pay taxes on more than 85 percent of your Social Security Disability income.

Can I own a business on SSDI?

There are income caps for people on SSDI and SSI benefits, but that should not prevent you from starting your own business. The amount of income considered "substantial gainful activity" changes every year. In 2021, that means you cannot earn more than $1,310 per month ($2,190 per month for the blind).