What can stop your disability benefits?

Disability benefits can be taken away for reasons like medical improvement, returning to substantial work (earning too much), fraud, incarceration, not cooperating with the Social Security Administration (SSA), or certain life changes such as marriage (for DAC benefits) or institutionalization. The Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts reviews to ensure recipients still meet criteria, and benefits may stop if conditions improve or work earnings exceed set limits, known as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).


What can get you kicked off of disability?

Although payments are terminated for death and medical recovery, suspension of payments is common, particularly for financial reasons. Payments may be suspended because the recipient has excess earnings, excess unearned income, excess resources, or a change in living arrangements.

What will cause your Social Security disability benefits to stop?

Benefits will end if work and earnings are above the substantial level after the 36-month re-entitlement period. If we decide that your medical condition has improved and you no longer have a disability.


What can cause you to lose your disability check?

Based on the SSA guidelines, here are the most common factors that could lead to the termination of disability benefits.
  • Aging Out of Eligibility For SSDI/SSI. ...
  • Death. ...
  • Medical recovery. ...
  • Work recovery. ...
  • Termination of benefits for disabled widow(er)s and adult children. ...
  • Incarceration.


What disqualifies you from disability benefits?

You can be disqualified from disability (like Social Security) for not having enough medical proof, earning too much money ($1,620+/month in 2025 for SSDI), not following doctor's orders, your condition lasting less than a year, the disability being caused by drug/alcohol abuse, or failing to cooperate with the SSA (like attending exams). The core issue is if the condition prevents "Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)" for over a year, with strong, documented evidence.
 


3 Tips To Prevent Your Disability Benefits From Being Stopped



What gets you denied for disability?

You can be disqualified from disability (like Social Security) for not having enough medical proof, earning too much money ($1,620+/month in 2025 for SSDI), not following doctor's orders, your condition lasting less than a year, the disability being caused by drug/alcohol abuse, or failing to cooperate with the SSA (like attending exams). The core issue is if the condition prevents "Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)" for over a year, with strong, documented evidence.
 

What conditions qualify for adult disability payment?

To get Adult Disability Payment, you must have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, or be terminally ill.

What triggers a social security disability review?

SSA initiates a Continuing Disability Review under the following circumstances: Routine periodic reviews based on your MIE, MIP, or MINE category. Medical improvement documented in recent records. Returning to work or increased earnings, surpassing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits.


Why would my disability be suspended?

Periodically, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may review your case to determine whether your condition has improved to the point where you can return to work. If the SSA finds that your medical condition has improved significantly, your benefits may be suspended.

What affects my disability benefits?

The state considers your age, education, past work experience, and any skills you may have that could be used to adjust to other work. If you can't do other work, the state agency decides that you have a qualifying disability.

Why would disability be taken away?

Disability benefits can be taken away for reasons like medical improvement, returning to substantial work (earning too much), fraud, incarceration, not cooperating with the Social Security Administration (SSA), or certain life changes such as marriage (for DAC benefits) or institutionalization. The Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts reviews to ensure recipients still meet criteria, and benefits may stop if conditions improve or work earnings exceed set limits, known as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA).
 


How often is disability reviewed?

Social Security disability reviews (CDRs) happen on a schedule based on your medical condition's likelihood of improvement: every 6-18 months if improvement is expected (MIE), every 3 years if possible (MIP), and every 5-7 years if not expected (MINE). The Social Security Administration (SSA) also conducts reviews if you start working, report improvement, or if new treatments emerge, using forms like the SSA-455 (Disability Update Report). 

How can I avoid losing my disability benefits?

You can return to work for at least 9 months and still get your full Disability payment. We call this a “trial work period.” In 2025, any month you earn over $1,160 before taxes will count towards this trial. The months don't need to be consecutive, just within a rolling 5-year period.

What is the hardest disability to prove?

Here are the Top Disabilities That Are Difficult To Prove
  • Mental Health Conditions. Mental illness stands as one of the most prevalent causes of disability, yet its impact is often underestimated or misunderstood. ...
  • Chronic Pain Disorders. ...
  • Fibromyalgia. ...
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ...
  • Autoimmune Disorders.


What are three ways a person may become ineligible for disability benefits?

Social Security Disability: Eight Reasons You May Be Denied Benefits
  • You Earn Too Much Income. ...
  • Your Disability Won't Last Long Enough. ...
  • The SSA Cannot Find You. ...
  • You Refuse to Cooperate. ...
  • You Fail to Follow Prescribed Therapy. ...
  • Your Disability Is Based on Drug Addiction or Alcoholism. ...
  • You Have Been Convicted of a Crime.


How much money can you have in the bank if you're on disability?

The savings you can have on disability benefits depend on the program: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has no savings limit because it's work-based, but Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has strict limits, typically $2,000 in countable resources for individuals, though exceptions like ABLE accounts allow much more savings without losing benefits. 

Can a person lose their disability benefits?

Yes, a person can lose their disability benefits through Medical Improvement (your condition gets better), Working Too Much (earning substantial income), Failing Reviews (not cooperating with Continuing Disability Reviews), or Changes in Living/Income (especially for SSI), but you have the right to appeal these decisions. The Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts reviews to ensure you still meet disability criteria, and failing to update records or report changes can also trigger a review or termination. 


Can adult disability payment be stopped?

Payments of Adult Disability Payment should stop after an individual's entitlement to the benefit ends. Individuals have a right to request payments to stop.

How do I get my disability reinstated?

Within 5 years of your benefits ending

Call us and tell the representative you want to file for “expedited reinstatement” of your Disability benefit. You'll answer a series of questions but won't need to file a new application.

What are red flags on a disability update report?

Red flags on a disability update report (like the SSA-455 form) often signal potential improvements or inconsistencies, including reporting better health, a doctor saying you can work, earning over Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), inconsistent daily activities, frequent doctor changes, or failing to keep up with medical treatment/appointments. These signs trigger closer review because they suggest you might no longer meet disability criteria, so honesty and consistent medical documentation are crucial. 


What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security?

You can lose Social Security benefits by working while collecting early, leading to earnings limits; incarceration, which suspends payments; or through garnishment for federal debts like taxes, student loans, or child support, along with other factors like remarriage or changes in disability status. 

What triggers a disability investigation?

The SSA may investigate if there are suspicions of fraud, including: Providing false information on your application. Misrepresenting your disability or exaggerating symptoms. Failing to disclose information that may affect your eligibility.

What diagnosis will qualify you for disability?

Medical conditions that qualify for disability, primarily through the Social Security Administration (SSA), are those severe enough to prevent substantial work, covering 14 categories like musculoskeletal issues (arthritis, back problems), cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders (COPD), mental health (depression, PTSD), neurological conditions (MS, Parkinson's), cancer, diabetes, immune system disorders (lupus), kidney disease, and sensory impairments (vision/hearing loss), often detailed in the SSA's "Blue Book" listings, with some conditions qualifying automatically via the Compassionate Allowances program. Qualification depends not just on the diagnosis, but its severity and impact on daily functioning and work ability, assessed through detailed medical evidence.
 


What if my adult disability payment is denied?

You can request an appeal within 31 days of getting a re-determination decision or if they have not been able to make their re-determination decision in time. If you request an appeal more than 31 days after getting this letter, you should explain the reasons why you have not requested an appeal sooner.

What are the four types of disability?

The four main types of disabilities are generally categorized as Physical, Sensory, Developmental, and Mental/Behavioral (or Psychosocial). These categories cover a wide range of conditions, from mobility issues and vision/hearing loss (Sensory) to learning differences (Developmental) and mental health challenges (Behavioral/Emotional).