The short answer is yes, you can run out of disability benefits if you receive payments for a certain period of time. Disability benefits are available through programs like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These programs have rules about how long you can receive payments.
SSDI Benefits
With SSDI, there are no lifetime limits on the total amount of benefits you can receive. However, most people do not receive SSDI benefits indefinitely.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews your medical condition from time to time to verify you remain disabled under their criteria. Your benefits can be terminated if SSA determines your condition has improved to the point you’re no longer considered disabled.
Specifically, your SSDI benefits end if:
- You reach full retirement age and transition to Social Security retirement benefits
- SSA determines you can engage in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) – earning more than $1,350 per month in 2022
- You earn more than the SGA limit after a 9-month trial work period
- Your condition improves so you’re no longer disabled under SSA criteria
Absent those situations occurring, you can continue receiving SSDI indefinitely as long as you remain disabled and unable to engage in SGA.
SSDI Benefit Extensions
There are a couple special situations where your SSDI benefits may be extended beyond the normal time limits:
- Trial work period: SSDI recipients can test their ability to return to work during a trial work period. You can earn more than the SGA limit for up to 9 months without having your benefits terminated.
- Extended period of eligibility: After the trial work period ends, you have 36 months during which you can earn more than the SGA limit without having your benefits terminated right away. During this extended period, SSA will review your work activity on a monthly basis to determine if you remain eligible for benefits.
SSI Benefits
With Supplemental Security Income (SSI), there are no direct limits on how long you can receive payments. However, your benefits can be terminated if your income and resources rise above the eligibility limits.
Specifically, your SSI benefits end if:
- Your countable income exceeds the SSI income limits
- Your countable resources, such as bank accounts, rise above the $2,000 asset limit for individuals or $3,000 limit for couples
- You move outside of the United States
- You are incarcerated or confined to an institution for more than a month
- SSA determines you no longer meet the disability requirements
Absent those situations, you can continue receiving SSI for as long as you remain disabled, have limited income and assets, and meet all other eligibility rules.
SSI Benefit Reductions
Even if your SSI does not fully terminate, your monthly benefit amount can go down if your other income sources increase. That’s because SSI is intended to supplement other income up to a minimum level.
For example, your SSI benefits would decrease if:
- You start receiving workers’ compensation or Social Security benefits
- Your spouse or parents have increased income if they are part of your SSI household
- You have other sources of income like pensions or rental income
SSI benefits can fluctuate monthly depending on how much other income you receive. But as long as you remain under the income, resource, and other eligibility limits, your benefits will not terminate completely.
Conclusion
In summary, SSDI and SSI benefits can end if you no longer meet the disability, income, or other eligibility requirements of those programs. Occasional medical reviews help ensure only those who remain truly disabled continue receiving benefits.
While there are time limits under SSDI based on retirement age and work activity, SSI benefits can continue indefinitely in many cases. Understanding the rules around terminating disability benefits can help you plan for potential changes in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can SSDI benefits be taken away?
Yes, SSDI benefits can be terminated if the Social Security Administration finds you no longer meet the disability requirements during a medical review. Your benefits will also end if you earn more than the substantial gainful activity limit after your trial work period. SSDI benefits convert to retirement benefits once you reach full retirement age.
Do SSDI benefits ever run out?
SSDI benefits do not have a lifetime limit, so they do not directly “run out” like a 401k or insurance. However, most recipients do not receive SSDI indefinitely. Benefits typically end when a person reaches retirement age, is determined to be no longer disabled, or earn too much money to qualify. Only a small percentage of recipients remain on SSDI until death.
Can I lose my disability if I get married?
Generally getting married does not directly cause you to lose disability benefits. Your marital status is not a factor in qualifying for SSDI. For SSI, getting married can sometimes reduce benefits if your new spouse has substantial income, but it typically does not terminate benefits altogether.
What happens if you go over the SSI limit?
If your income or resources rise above the limits, your SSI benefits will be reduced or suspended until the next month when you are under the limits again. If you remain over the SSI limits for 12 consecutive months, your SSI eligibility will terminate completely.
Can you reapply for disability after being denied?
Yes, you can reapply after an initial denial if your condition has deteriorated or you have new medical evidence to submit. However, you generally cannot reapply within 12 months of the previous denial unless you can prove your condition has significantly worsened.
Key Facts and Statistics
- Over 10 million Americans receive SSDI benefits currently
- More than 7 million receive SSI disability benefits
- The average SSDI benefit amount in 2021 was $1,358 per month
- The maximum federal SSI payment in 2022 is $841 per month for individuals or $1,261 for couples
- Around 7.5% of SSDI recipients have their benefits terminated each year after medical reviews
- Less than 1% of SSDI recipients remain on benefits from age 22 until death
The SSDI Review Process
The Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts periodic reviews to ensure SSDI recipients continue to meet the disability requirements. Here is an overview of the review process:
| Review Type | Frequency | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Medical review | Every 3 years for less severe disabilities; up to 7 years for permanent disabilities | Verify the recipient’s disability still prevents substantial work |
| Work review | Anytime SSA learns the recipient is working | Check if earnings exceed the substantial gainful activity limit |
| Diary review | 6-18 months after starting benefits | Early confirmation of diagnosis and expected recovery timeline |
These reviews help ensure only eligible recipients continue receiving benefits. Those determined to be no longer disabled have benefits terminated.
Return to Work While on Disability
It is possible to test your ability to return to work while still receiving SSDI benefits. This allows you to try working without the risk of immediately losing benefits if it does not go well. There are two main ways to return to work on disability:
Trial Work Period
- SSDI recipients can test work for 9 months and continue receiving full benefits no matter how much they earn
- The 9 months do not need to be consecutive – they accumulate over a 5 year period
- After the Trial Work Period, recipients enter an Extended Period of Eligibility with 36 more months to test work without an immediate termination of benefits
Ticket to Work Program
- Provides SSDI recipients with vocational rehabilitation, training, job placement, and other support services
- Goal is to help people find sustainable employment and reduce dependence on disability benefits
- Special rules allow recipients to keep Medicare coverage for several years after leaving SSDI due to employment
These programs make it possible for some disability recipients to achieve partial or full independence from benefits through employment.
Application Tips to Maximize Approval
Getting approved for SSDI or SSI on the first application can be difficult. Many applications are denied initially and need to go through appeals. Here are some tips to help maximize your chances of approval:
- Get detailed functional assessments from all your doctors explaining your limitations
- Submit thorough medical records documenting your conditions, treatments, symptoms, and onset timing
- Keep a detailed journal of how your conditions prevent work activity and typical daily living
- Get representation from an experienced disability lawyer or advocate if possible
- Highlight conditions that match the SSA’s blue book listing of impairments
- Maintain compliance with prescribed treatments
- Appeal as many times as possible if initially denied – approval rates rise at later appeal stages
Having strong medical evidence and legal help can be key to navigating the complex application process successfully.