All Disability Social Security Questions…Understanding The Answers
What are my options of the SSA determines that I am not disabled anymore and is cutting off my Social Security benefits?
All disability cases are subjected to regular reviews by the Social Security Administration. These review periods vary depending on the particular condition. If the member’s condition is expected to improve, he or she will be up for review in 6 to 30 months. If there is a chance that the condition will improve, a review will be done in 3 years. If the condition is deemed permanent, a review will be done in 5 to 7 years.
When the time for the review comes, the case will be forwarded to the Disability Determination Services department in order to determine the member’s continued eligibility for Social Security benefits. The member will go through an interview process and will be asked about his or her condition since being granted Social Security benefits. At this point, a medical examiner will determine whether or not the condition has improved. If the results show that the member can go back to work, the Social Security benefits will be discontinued.
If you disagree with the findings of this review process, an appeal may be filed with the office of the Social Security Administration. You may then be asked to attend a hearing, upon which time a reconsideration decision will be made. If the decision to discontinue your Social Security Benefits still stands, you may make an appeal in a federal district court or present your case before a judge of administrative law.
Will SSA pay me to care for my disabled spouse?
While the SSA does not pay caregivers of disabled spouses directly, they may be able to receive benefits of their own. These benefits are given monthly and can be equal to 50 percent of the disabled spouse’s benefits. Keep in mind that there is a limit to the total amount of social security benefits that can be given to a family based on your spouse’s Social Security account.
The VA found me disabled. Won’t SSA come to the same conclusion?
Unfortunately, the SSA system does not gauge varying levels of disability, unlike the VA system. This means that while the VA system can find an applicant only partially disabled and therefore be eligible for benefits the SSA may determine that no disability exists.