When Georgia residents are asked what is most important to them, personal health and well-being often rates near the top of the list. Individuals may take their good health for granted, which only becomes apparent after a person suffers an illness or injury. In these trying times, the individual’s ability to work or engage in daily activities may be severely impaired.
Fortunately, help may be available in the form of Social Security disability benefits. Disability benefits can provide a much-needed financial lifeline when a person is unable to earn an income.
As discussed last week, there are certain events that can disqualify a person who is receiving disability benefits from continuing to receive those benefits. For instance, a person’s earning of a certain level of income may disqualify the recipient from further benefits.Work issues are not the only thing that can terminate benefits. Under the federal regulations, an individual’s disability benefits may stop if his or her medical condition improves enough where a disability is no longer present. The person’s eligibility for benefits in the first instance depends upon establishing a qualifying disability. Accordingly, if that disability no longer exists, the basis for receiving benefits also ceases.
Ultimately, individuals with illnesses or injuries want to regain their health if possible. However, they should be aware of how their benefits will be impacted. Individuals should also protect their rights when they are still disabled but they are at risk of losing their benefits because of the agency’s interpretation of the regulations. Similar to how there can be disputes in the initial eligibility determination, there can also be disputes if a person’s health has improved as to whether benefits are still available.
Source: Social Security Administration, “Disability planner: What can cause benefits to stop?,” accessed on Oct. 17, 2015
