Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly payments to people who cannot work because of a disability. However, some conditions that meet SSDI’s definition of disability can get better over time. If you are receiving SSDI, you may wonder what to do if you are no longer disabled. How will you handle SSDI and recovery from your disabling condition?
What happens to your benefits if you can return to work? And how will you know if you have recovered enough?
Understanding SSDI and Recovery
Social Security will review your case periodically if you are receiving SSDI benefits. Normally, they conduct reviews:
- Six to 18 months after your benefits start if they expect you to improve.
- No sooner than three years if recovery is possible.
- No sooner than seven years if improvement is not expected.
After a review, Social Security may feel you have recovered enough to return to work. If you are no longer disabled, your benefits typically will end.
You might be able to appeal if you feel Social Security should not have reduced or terminated your benefits. However, Social Security offers a program to help people ease back into work if possible.
The Ticket to Work Program
SSDI beneficiaries who feel they might be ready to start working again should check out the Ticket to Work Program. This service is also available to people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Just a few of the services offered include:
- Career counseling
- Vocational rehab
- Training for a different type of work
- Job placement
- Other types of free employment services
Social Security offers additional incentives. For example, most people continue to receive at least part of their SSDI benefits until they can fully support themselves. If you receive Medicare or Medicaid, benefits typically continue for a time.
You can test your abilities during a Trial Work Period that lasts at least nine months. In fact, you can use nine trial work months during a 60-month period. This trial period helps people who start back to work but have to quit again because of their disability.
Another benefit is an extended period of eligibility that starts after your trial work period ends. This means that you might be eligible to receive benefits for another 36 months for any months in which you don’t earn a substantial amount. In 2020, Social Security considers $1,260 to be substantial earnings. ($2,110 if you are blind).
Finally, you might be eligible for expedited reinstatement of benefits. In other words, you can ask for your benefits to start up if your disability again prevents you from working.
It’s Not Easy to Understand How SSDI and Recovery from Your Condition Will Affect You.
You need someone on your side. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ experience with clients like you. For a free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
