The payment from Social Security is a vital cheque for the people who receive it. In the United States, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency responsible for managing payments to citizens who have met the requirements for retirement, i.e. retirees. It also manages payments to surviving military veterans and their families, as well as to people who suffer from a disability that makes it impossible for them to work. For all of them, Social Security payments are vital for their livelihood.
In the case of people with a disability that makes it impossible for them to work, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has two programs, each with different requirements and a different profile of beneficiaries. In this sense, it distinguishes between:
- The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). In this case, it is linked to the beneficiary’s work history. SSDI pays benefits to both the person with the disability and, in some cases, to certain members of their family. In this sense, the requirements are:
- To have a disability.
- To have worked enough years to qualify and to have paid Social Security taxes during the years you worked.
- The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. In this case, it does not require you to have a work history. SSI provides money to cover basic needs such as food, clothing, and housing for people who are at least 65 years old or have a disability.
First reason why you can lose your Social Security payment if you are an SSDI beneficiary
The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages the monthly payments of more than 70 million beneficiaries throughout the United States, of which around 8.7 million receive this pension because they meet the requirements to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), that is, they have a disability, have worked enough years to qualify and have paid Social Security taxes during the years they worked.
However, it is not enough to meet the requirements at the time this benefit is applied for. In addition, the Social Security Administration has warned that there are two reasons why a beneficiary may lose this monthly payment. But what are the reasons that can make you lose the benefit?
Firstly, returning to work and exceeding a certain level of income. In this sense, the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows Social Security contributors to return to work for a maximum of nine months without losing their benefits. But there is something important to bear in mind, and that is that if, after those months, the worker’s income exceeds $1,550 per month, the SSA will suspend Social Security payments, on the grounds that the beneficiary is in substantially gainful employment and, consequently.
Second reason for losing this payment
The second reason why a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiary can lose Social Security payment is if they are sentenced to be in prison for more than 30 days. In this circumstance, the beneficiary’s only option is to reapply for payment once they are released.
But what can beneficiaries do to avoid finding themselves in the position of losing their payment? There are recommendations issued by the SSA that can be taken into account:
- Inform the SSA of any change in employment status or income.
- Do not exceed the established income limit during a work trial period.
- Always keep your personal details up to date with the SSA so that you are aware of what is happening.
