Whether you are receiving benefits for retirement, disability or as a survivor of a deceased family member, Social Security is a necessity for millions of Americans. However, there are situations in which you can lose those much-needed benefits. For example, not paying student loans can put your benefits at risk. No matter how long ago you completed college, Social Security agencies can cut off your benefits if you haven’t resolved your student loan debts.
However, according to experts, there are two major reasons you could lose your disability benefits. The most common reason is an improvement in your medical condition. If you had undergone major surgery, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. However, in many cases, people recover from their medical condition and are able to find work.
Your local Social Security agencies may ask for your medical records to see if your health condition has improved. If no medical records are sent, the department may eventually cut off your benefits. Many patients may then stop receiving treatments for their serious medical condition. But, in some cases, doctors may ask their patients to discontinue treatment if there is nothing that can be done to improve their situation. Losing disability benefits in these cases can become really disheartening.
Earning more than $1,090 a month could be another reason for losing your Social Security disability benefits. However, an individual does have a nine month trial period to see if you can go back to work again. If you are able to work for more than nine months without any difficulty, your local Social Security agency will inform that you are not considered disabled. Besides your monthly income, other income helps Social Security determine if you should continue to receive disability benefits. These may include pension payments, alimony, free housing, or even wages earned by your spouse.
It is important for those who receive Social Security benefits to know what may or may not stop their monthly benefits. Improvement in your disability or having another source of income does not always mean that you will not receive benefits anymore. If you believe that the Social Security agency is unfairly threatening your benefits, it may be wise to seek legal advice.
Source: DailyFinance.com, “How You Can Lose Your Social Security Benefits,” Hal. M. Bundrick, June 17, 2015