Some people may think of Social Security Disability as a permanent disability program, but that is not the case. People, who the agency has found disabled, are not entitled to benefits permanently and those who do receive benefits should be aware that down the road Social Security is likely to issue a redetermination of a case. Social Security does this by looking at updated medical information, which is called a Continuing Disability Review (CDR), but when it comes to the technical aspects of Social Security benefits the agency performs redeterminations to make sure a beneficiary’s living situation, income and resources have not changed significantly, which could create eligibility issues for the beneficiary. This may seem like another way Social Security can take away benefits, and it is, but the agency also has to follow the rules set forth by law and a redetermination can be helpful to a claimant so they don’t face massive overpayment penalties due to income and resources. Below is some valuable information from Social Security about redeterminations.
HOW DO WE DO A REDETERMINATION?
There are three ways that we do a redetermination:
• by telephone
• in person; or
• by mail.
For telephone and in-person interviews, we send a letter telling you that we will call you on a certain date and time, or ask you to come into the local Social Security office for a redetermination. Our staff will fill out the forms during the interview based on information you give them. If you have a representative payee, we will send the appointment letter to your representative payee.
If you are unable to keep the scheduled appointment, call us. We will make a new appointment that is more convenient for you.
If we do your redetermination by mail, we will send you a redetermination form for you to complete, sign and return.
If you have a representative payee, he or she must complete and sign the redetermination form for you.
If you need help completing a redetermination form you receive in the mail, call us or visit your local Social Security office. Our staff will help you fill it out.
RESPONDING TO THE APPOINTMENT LETTER OR THE REQUEST TO COMPLETE FORMS
You have 30 days to:
• respond to the appointment letter;
• complete and return the form; or
• tell us that you cannot keep the appointment or are having trouble filling out the form.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THE APPOINTMENT LETTER OR COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM?
If you do not respond, you may:
• have your payments stopped;
• be overpaid; or
• be underpaid.
If you lose SSI eligibility, you may lose Medicaid eligibility based on getting SSI benefits.
DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED FOR REDETERMINATION
• savings account, checking account, or other bank statements;
• pay stubs or income tax returns;
• proof of other income you receive (pensions, annuities, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation, etc.);
• life insurance policies;
• burial contracts; and
• household receipts and bills to show your monthly expenses (lease, utilities, etc.).
