Disability Benefits | Your Continuing Eligibility

Your Continuing Eligibility

In most cases, you will continue to receive benefits as long as you are disabled. However, there are certain circumstances that may change your continuing eligibility for disability benefits. For example, your health may improve to the point where you are no longer disabled or you go back to work.

The law requires that we review your case from time to time to verify that you are still disabled. We tell you if it is time to review your medical condition and we will keep you informed about your benefit status. Generally, if your health hasn’t improved, or if your disability still keeps you from working, you’ll continue to receive your benefits.

You are responsible for letting us know whenever a change occurs that could affect your benefits, for example, if your health improves or you go back to work or become self-employed. For more information on what you must report to us, refer to What You Need to Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits.

Reviewing Your Disability

In general, your benefits will continue as long as you are disabled. Any person who receives disability benefits must have their medical conditions reviewed. How often we review your medical condition depends on whether your condition is likely to improve. We call this review a continuing disability review (CDR).

If medical improvement is:

  • Expected, your medical condition will normally be reviewed within six to 18 months after your benefits start.
  • Possible, your medical condition will normally be reviewed about every three years.
  • Not expected, your medical condition will normally be reviewed no sooner than seven years.

Your initial award notice will tell you when you can expect your first medical review.

What Can Cause Benefits to Stop?

Two things can cause us to decide that you are no longer disabled and to stop your benefits:

  • if you work at a level we consider "substantial."

    In 2021, average earnings of $1,310 or more per month ($2,190 or more per month if you are blind) are usually considered substantial. The amount of earnings that we consider substantial changes each year.

  • if we decide that your medical condition has improved to the point that you are no longer disabled.

Remember, you are responsible for promptly reporting any improvement in your condition, or if you return to work. The booklet we send you when your application is approved explains what you need to report to us. For more information on what else may cause your benefits to stop, refer to How We Decide if You Still Have a Qualifying Disability.

If You Go Back To Work

If you're like most people, you would rather work than try to live on disability benefits.

There are special rules that help you keep your cash benefits and Medicare while you test your ability to work. We call these rules "work incentives." For more information about Social Security work incentives, read Working While Disabled: How We Can Help.

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