Southfield MI Social Security attorneys
Call today for a free consultation
(248) 281-4247

no upfront fee

Issues that might arise after a
Favorable SSI Decision is granted in Michigan

get what you deserve now

Social Security Disability Benefits Lawyer

experienced southfield, michigan disability and social security attorney

If your claim is SSI only, you must undergo a “PERC”, pre-effectuation review conference. This is handled by the original office that took your initial application. CAUTION is called for and it is essential you confer with your attorney before you have this interview.

What is discussed are your current living arrangements, any change in marital status, any sudden and unexpected income acquired during the entire time period your claim was pending, and any work activity you may have engaged in during the many months it took to finally be approved. Test your ability to return to work without jeopardizing your benefits. Care and guidance is absolutely essential.

What Will Cause Social Security Disability Benefits to Stop?

Significant improvement in your physical and mental condition can lead to a stoppage of your Social Security Disability benefits. These reviews are called CDRs (continuing disability reviews). In most cases, those who are awarded Social Security disability will go on to receive their benefits for years if there is no improvement in their health.

If you are going to apply for Social Security disability, or are presently receiving Social Security benefits, it’s important to be aware of what could make your disability benefits come to an end. What can cause your benefits to end differs between the two disability programs that are administered by the Social Security Administration.

Social Security Disability Insurance can only be paid if an individual has worked a sufficient amount of time and has had the appropriate social security taxes paid into the system by his employer, or has paid the contributions him or herself if self-employed. When someone hasn’t worked long enough, or worked recent enough, to have enough “work credits” they will not be eligible for SSD no matter what their disability is.

On the other hand Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is based on a need. It is not essential to have paid Social Security taxes, or to have worked at all, to be qualified for SSI. There are some strict limits regarding the amount of income earned or assets owned in order to meet the NON- medical requirements for SSI benefits.

Medical Improvement Can Stop SSD and SSI

If the medical condition that qualifies you as disabled improves, then the SSA could determine that you are no longer disabled thus causing your benefit payments to stop. This applies to both SSD and SSI claims. This process is called a CDR. Continuing Disability Review. The SSA will periodically review the cases of all beneficiaries. This generally takes place anywhere from 3 to 7 years, or sooner, if the judge deciding the case recommends an earlier review at the time he grants benefits. These disability reviews are based on a medical improvement standard.   Has your condition improved to such a degree that you are now able to engage in sustained work activity.

What Can Cause SSD Benefits to Stop?

The most ordinary reason for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits to be stopped is when you return to work. In most cases it is possible to work and continue to receive SSD payments for a specific period of time this is called a Trial Work Period. There are some specific rules that you must adhered to in order to take advantage of a TWP.

Return to Work

If you decide to return to work while receiving SSD benefits, the SSA will then determine if you are engaging in substantial gainful activity or SGA. The largest factor for deciding if work qualifies as SGA is the total amount a person is paid. In 2017, you are generally considered to be engaging in SGA if you earn more than $1,170 or $1,950 if you are blind. This is not a clear issue. It is definitely possible for the SSA to conclude that your new job duties amount to SGA even if you are earning less than the required amount.

This exception to the rule is referred to as a trial work period or TWP. If you decide to return to work while still receiving benefits and you earn more than $840 per month, then the SSA will deem this as the start of a trial work period. If you maintain employment for 9 months (do not have to be consecutive months) while averaging over the SGA level, your benefits will be paid for another 3 months (a total of 1 year of benefits) and then end.

Reaching Full Retirement Age

Beneficiaries, who reach full retirement age while receiving disability, will then see their benefits convert to Retirement Social Security with no reduction in the monthly amount.

Being Incarcerated or Institutionalized

If you are incarcerated after being convicted of a felony crime, your disability benefits will stop for the total period of time you are in prison. Most times a felony conviction will then also lead to a cessation of benefit.

Going Above Income or Asset Limits

If you are receiving SSI and your income or assets increase above the limit for SSI eligibility, your benefits will generally stop the month following the month you exceed these limits. Increase in household income above the limits allowed, such as working part time, receiving an inheritance, marriage, living with a significant other who works, can and will affect your continuing eligibility.

Increased income

If you start receiving income from a new source, like pension or alimony payments then that might put you over the income maximum and your benefits could stop. The SSA considers both earned and unearned income. 1 car, regardless of value, and the value of the home you own and live in are not counted.

Receiving free food & shelter

Food and shelter provided by another can cause a reduction in your monthly SSI benefit. Currently, for 2017, the maximum SSI benefit is $735. Food and shelter for example, provided by a parent or other relative, will cause a 1/3 reduction in the monthly SSI payment.

Spousal income

A portion of a spouse’s income is counted as income when determining your SSI eligibility. This could mean that if you are granted SSI benefits while single, you could see those benefits stop or substantially reduced if you get married to a spouse who is earning enough of an income.  Even non marriage relationships will be deemed as a spousal relationship if living in the same household.

Changes in your Living Situation

If you either enter or leave from an institution like a nursing home or halfway house, your SSI eligibility can be affected. Leaving the United States for 30 days or more, will cause your SSI benefits to stop.

Due to all these various and complex provisions, questions concerning changes in SSI eligibility are often best left to an experienced lawyer here at The Social Security Counseling Center. Contact us for a today free case evaluation at: (248) 281-4247

What our clients say about us

We appreciate the opportunity to help you get the benefits you deserve

Mr Weisberg is the most professional and experienced lawyer I have ever had the privilege of meeting. His attention to detail and preparation ended in a fully favorable decision for me. I would recommend him to anyone seeking help with social security disability. he truly is the best there is.Thank you Sir!

Paul Simonson

I am so very pleased with my experience here. Mr. Weisberg was patience and always pleasant. I hardly ever spoke with his staff as I completed all paperwork in a timely fashion. I would definitely give this law center 5 stars. Mr. Weisberg I really appreciate your hard work on my behalf

Stacey C.

Amazing experience! They make you feel like family! They’re very professional, their response time was absolutely phenomenal, and everything was taken care of in a timely matter! There was not one question I had that didn’t get answered! I cannot thank them enough!

Farah Khalil

The attorney (Cliff Weisberg) guidance and handling of my son's disability claim was professional and timely. Cliff guided us through the process from start to finish. His experience and expertise resulted in a positive outcome. I highly recommend using this service.

Rick Carr

My experience with the law firm of Clifford Weisberg was wrought with questions & uncertainties from the onset. But thankfully the staff & Mr. Weisberg were seasoned professionals in providing quality service in a very timely & efficient manner. They were readily available to answer all my questions & to provide assistance at every turn of the process. And for that, I am eternally grateful. They made me feel as if me & my situation truly mattered. I will recommend this firm to family and friends who need legal assistance any day. Thank you all very much.

Aurel Gibson

Cliff Weisberg & the whole team, is the winner of the 'gold star' in my opinion. I had no luck with the disability process on my own. Having talked to Cliff, it was like baking a cake. I followed the steps, my disability was granted. I appreciate their office, more than words can say. Make the call to Cliff.

Shelle Heether