Social Security is a vital financial lifeline for many Americans. The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages payments to retirees, surviving military veterans and their families, and individuals with disabilities that make it impossible for them to work. The SSA operates two main programs for those with disabilities: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSDI is linked to the beneficiary’s work history, while SSI does not require a work history and provides financial assistance to cover basic needs. However, SSDI beneficiaries should be aware of certain conditions that could reduce or suspend their benefits. The SSA has outlined two significant reasons a beneficiary might lose their monthly SSDI payments.
The first reason is returning to work and exceeding income limits.
Factors affecting SSDI payments
The SSA permits SSDI beneficiaries to attempt a return to work without immediately losing their benefits for up to nine months.
However, if a beneficiary’s monthly income exceeds $1,550 after this period, the SSA will suspend the SSDI payments. The second reason for the suspension of SSDI payments is incarceration. If an SSDI beneficiary is sentenced to prison for more than 30 days, their benefits will be suspended.
The SSA states that beneficiaries can reapply for payments once they are released. To avoid losing their SSDI benefits, beneficiaries are advised to inform the SSA of any changes in employment status or income, avoid exceeding the established income limit during a work trial period, and keep personal details up-to-date with the SSA. For the millions who rely on these payments, staying informed and adhering to SSA guidelines is crucial to ensuring continued support.
Image Credits: Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash
