Understand Why Your Disability Benefits Were Stopped

Before taking any action, it’s essential to understand why your disability benefits were terminated or suspended. Common reasons for termination include:

• Returning to work: If you started working and your income exceeded the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, the SSA may have stopped your benefits.
• Medical improvement: If the SSA determines that your medical condition has improved, they may stop your benefits.
• Failure to comply with SSA requests: Missing appointments or failing to provide requested information can lead to suspension or termination.
• Exceeding asset limits (SSI): If your SSI benefits were stopped due to exceeding asset limits, it may be possible to have your case reviewed if your financial situation has changed.

Review the Notice of Termination  or Notice of Suspension  that you received from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This document should explain why your benefits were stopped.

Contact the SSA for More Information

Once you know the reason for your termination or suspension, it’s a good idea to contact the SSA directly to discuss your situation. You can:

• Call the SSA: The SSA can provide you with more details about your case. You can reach them at 1-800-772-1213.
• Request a copy of the decision: If you’re unclear about why your benefits were stopped, you can request a copy of the official decision for clarification.

Request a Reconsideration or Appeal

If you disagree with the SSA’s decision to stop your benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. Depending on the reason for the termination, you can choose the appropriate form of appeal:

• Reconsideration: If the SSA denied your claim or terminated your benefits due to an error, you can request a reconsideration, where they will review the decision.
• Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If reconsideration doesn’t result in a favorable decision, you can request a hearing before an ALJ where you can present new evidence and testify.
• Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies your appeal, you can request a review from the SSA Appeals Council.
• Federal Court: As a final step, you can file a lawsuit in federal court to challenge the SSA’s decision.

Provide Updated Medical Evidence

If your disability is ongoing, or if there have been changes to your condition since the SSA’s last evaluation, you will need to provide updated medical evidence to support your case. This can include:

• Recent medical records: Show how your condition has remained severe or worsened since the last decision.
• Doctor’s opinion: A detailed statement from your treating physician about your ability to work and the severity of your condition.
• Specialist’s reports: If applicable, include evaluations from specialists who can provide insight into your condition and its impact on your ability to function.

Reapply for Disability Benefits

If your benefits were terminated and the appeal process isn’t successful or you’ve recently experienced a medical condition change, you may want to reapply for disability benefits. Here’s how to reapply:

• File a new application: If you’ve experienced a significant medical change or your condition has worsened, you can submit a new disability application with the SSA.
• Provide new medical evidence: When reapplying, ensure that you submit all updated medical records and documentation to strengthen your claim.

Understand the Medical Improvement Review Standard (MIRS)

If the SSA stopped your disability benefits because they believe you’ve medically improved, they may have applied the Medical Improvement Review Standard (MIRS). If this is the case, you may be able to get back on disability by showing that your condition hasn’t improved or has worsened since the SSA’s last decision.

• Presenting medical evidence: Show updated medical records proving that your condition continues to prevent you from working.
• Long-term disability conditions: Some conditions, such as severe mental health issues or chronic illnesses, may not improve, and you can argue that you should continue receiving benefits.

Work with a Disability Attorney

If your benefits were terminated or suspended, a disability attorney can help you navigate the process of reinstating them. An attorney can:

• Help you file appeals: If your case is denied, a disability lawyer can represent you at a hearing or Appeals Council review.
• Assist in reapplying for benefits: If you need to reapply, an attorney can ensure that your application is accurate and complete, which can increase your chances of success.
• Gather necessary evidence: Lawyers can help you gather the medical documentation and other evidence needed to prove your eligibility.