The Social Security disability professionals at Disability Associates, LLC discuss how changes in your income, health and other issues can result in a termination of your Social Security disability benefits.

If you are applying for Social Security disability or are receiving Social Security benefits, it is important to understand the factors that could ultimately cause them to stop.

Returning to work

If you return to work while receiving SSDI benefits, the SSA will determine if you are engaging in “substantial gainful activity,” or SGA. In 2016, an individual is generally considered to be engaging in SGA if he or she earns more than $1,130, or $1,820 for those who are blind. However, it is possible for the SSA to determine that your job duties constitute SGA even if you are earning less than that amount.

Medical improvements

If the medical or psychiatric conditions that caused a disability improve, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may discontinue your benefit payments. The SSA reviews all beneficiaries’ cases to determine if they are still disabled, typically in 3 or 7-year increments.

Reaching retirement age

Social Security disability beneficiaries who reach full retirement age will no longer receive disability benefits, as you are not permitted to receive both Social Security disability benefits and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time.

Spousal income

Someone who is granted SSI benefits while unmarried could lose their benefits if he or she gets married to a spouse who is earning a stable income. Additionally, this could affect those who are approved for SSI while their spouse is not working, or earning little, if that spouse’s income increases.

In-kind income

The SSA considers non-cash food and shelter that is provided by someone else as income (often referred to as in-kind income). If you begin receiving housing or food for free, the SSA counts a portion of its value as income. In some cases, this may reduce your Social Security payments.

Incarceration or institutionalization

If you are confined to a prison or penal institution after being convicted of a crime, your disability benefits will stop for the period of time you are incarcerated for.

Turning 18-years-old

Children receiving SSI will have their condition reevaluated according to the adult SSI standards when they turn 18. Depending on the SSA’s finding, this could cause their benefits to be terminated.

There are a variety of reasons why an individual may stop receiving disability benefits. Being aware of such allows individuals the opportunity to avoid having their benefits terminated unknowingly. For more information about reasons for termination of Social Security disability benefits, contact the experienced Social Security disability professionals at Disability Associates, LLC today.