The U.S. Social Security Administration has a strict definition of “disability,” and this is one of several reasons you may find it difficult to receive approval for Social Security Disability Insurance after applying. If you are successful in obtaining benefits, whether through your initial application or an appeal, you must know that this does not mean you are going to receive them for the foreseeable future.
Instead, there are a handful of life circumstances that may impact your SSDI benefits eligibility. What situations may hinder your ability to receive these benefits once approved for them?
Getting better
To make sure that those receiving benefits still need them, the SSA conducts periodic Continuing Disability Reviews to assess your condition. How often you must undergo these reviews depends on whether the administration believed your condition may get better when they approved you for benefits in the first place. If your condition does improve, you stand to lose access to SSDI benefits.
Returning to work
Because SSDI benefits help those who are unable to work get by, generating your own income may also jeopardize your benefits eligibility. If you want to test the waters of returning to work to see if it is feasible given your condition, you may be able to do so while simultaneously receiving benefits. However, time limits govern how long you may do so.
Aging out of the system
Reaching retirement also affects SSDI benefit eligibility. Once you hit a certain age, you should start getting retirement, rather than SSDI, income. The money you receive each month should not change much, though, so it is unlikely that you need to create a whole new budget when this occurs.
