As discussed last week in this blog, it is natural for Georgia residents to experience many changes in their lives over the years. While the amount of a person’s Social Security disability benefits may change from year to year due to cost of living increases, there are other ways in which a person’s SSDI benefits may be impacted by changes in their lives.
In fact, there are a number of things that individuals are required to report to the Social Security Administration when changes have occurred that may impact their benefits. While this includes things like name changes, changes in marital status or changes in a person’s address, it goes far beyond this basic information to touch on other areas as well.
For example, if a person receives other kinds of disability benefits or workers’ compensation, they may be required to report this information to determine whether these other benefits impact the existing SSDI benefits. Similarly, if a person no longer has an inability to work, it may impact whether they are still considered disabled for purposes of receiving benefits.
Family changes can also impact benefits. For example, if a person cares for a child who receives benefits, and there is a change where the child leaves that care, the person should report that change. If it is a temporary separation, it may not affect benefits, but the benefits may stop if the person no longer has responsibility for the child.
Ultimately, whether a person’s disability benefits are impacted will depend on the facts and circumstances at issue. Individuals should understand not only what they are required to report in the way of changes, but also what recourse they have if their benefits are improperly cut off or reduced.
Source: Social Security Administration, “What you need to know when you get Social Security disability benefits,” accessed on Oct. 29, 2016