According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits will continue as long as you are disabled. However, the law requires that your case be periodically viewed to see if you are still disabled. How often your case is reviewed depends on whether your condition is expected to improve.
The frequency of reviews depends on the nature and severity of your medical condition and whether it is expected to improve.
A) If improvement is expected, your first review generally will be six to 18 months after the date you became disabled.
B) If improvement is possible, but cannot be predicted, your case will be reviewed about once every three years.
C) If improvement is not expected, your case will be reviewed once every seven years.
Two major elements can cause Social Security to decide that you are no longer disabled and to stop your benefits. Disability benefits will stop if you work at a level considered to be “substantial.”
In 2013, average earnings of $1,040 or more per month ($1,740 or more per month if you are blind) are usually considered substantial. Your disability benefits also will stop if Social Security decides that your medical condition has improved to the point that you are no longer disabled (see above).
If and when Social Security decides to conduct a full medical review, SSA will send you a letter asking for you to come to into the Social Security office. At the review, Social Security will ask how your medical condition affects you and whether it has improved. Social Security will need a list of doctors’ names, addresses and phone numbers and to bring patient record numbers for any hospitals and other medical sources that have treated at. In addition, if you have worked since being awarded disability Social Security will also need information regarding the dates, what kind of work you performed and sometimes paystubs. Social Security will then send your claim to the Disability Determination Services (DDS). An experienced disability examiner will request medical records from your doctors and from other places you go for treatment. The examiner and a medical consultant will then review all the information received for your case and then make a decision.
According to SSA, generally, benefits would be stopped only if the evidence shows that your medical condition has improved and that you can work on a regular basis. As long as your condition has not improved and you are not able to work, your benefits will continue.
