How Long Can You Be on Social Security Disability Benefits?

The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program offers Social Security disability benefits to people who qualify for federal disability assistance. People who receive SSDI benefits are also eligible to receive Supplement Security Income (SSI) if they are in poverty despite getting SSDI benefits.

People who are receiving SSDI and SSI funds have to document their need for incapacity assistance to continue receiving the funds. So, how long can you receive Social Security disability benefits for? The following points will let you know how long Social Security benefits last and why they can be denied:

When You Reach the Retirement Age

Once you reach the retirement age of 65, your Social Security disability benefits will stop. Instead, you will receive Social Security retirement benefits. The retirement benefits you receive remain the same each month.

When Your Condition Is No Longer a Disability

If your condition changes and is no longer considered a disability, your disability funds will stop. Your condition must be debilitating or severe enough to continue receiving disability benefits. If you have qualified for disability funds for a physical or mental illness but have completely recovered from that illness, your benefits will stop.

When You Can Earn a Substantial Income

If you surpass the limit of income that you can earn while receiving SSI or SSDI benefits, your disability funds will stop. SSI and SSDI benefits are given due to financial need. If you win a lottery, marry, or return to work on a part-time basis, you may not be eligible to receive SSI and SSDI benefits.

A Child Turns 18

Children can also receive SSI and SSDI funds if their parents have access to federal disability programs. The eligibility criteria for the sponsoring adult are that they must be a US citizen and are contributing to the Social Security program through automatic deductions from their paycheck every month. When the child turns 18 but still wants to receive these benefits, he/she must document that their incapacity is not allowing them to work.

How to Continue Receiving Social Security Benefits

If you are disabled until you reach your retirement age, you can receive Social Security disability benefits and then Social Security retirement payments. However, you need to take some measures to keep your SSD benefits in effect until you reach your retirement age.

First, you need to document your condition as a disability. For that, you need to visit your doctor so that he or she can accurately document how your disability prevents you from doing basic activities. This document is needed to review your disability.

You must also reply to your continuing disability review notices on time or your SSD benefits may stop. At times, you may need to meet a physician for a medical test.

You can continue receiving Social Security disability benefits until you are disabled or you reach the retirement age when your retirement benefits start.

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