Benefits can be ceased because of work activity without medical recovery or because of medical recovery without work activity. The poster actually did both - went to work and decided he didn't need medical care for his disabling condition. What we don't know is if the original poster is choosing to work and earn under $1000 when he could work more. He said he took the job to supplement the Social Security.

BabyBoomer: I have been on SSDI for about 8 years now and have yet to have a review. I am 58 years old next month. I go to an ARNP at least once every 6 weeks for my medication reviews. I have been working for the past three years. Do you think that I may have a problem in the coming months with a review. I make around 850.00 per month. Thanks for any thoughts that you may have.

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Is the SSA aware that you have been working part time for the last three years ?

From http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.html#4

What you must report to us

It is important to notify us promptly—either in person, by phone or by mail—whenever a change occurs that could affect your benefits. The changes you need to report to us are described below.

If you work while receiving disability payments

You should tell us if you take a job or become self-employed, no matter how little you earn. If you are still disabled, you will be eligible for a trial work period, and you can continue receiving benefits for up to nine months

Also: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10095.html


Social Security work incentives at a glance
Trial work period—The trial work period allows you to test your ability to work for at least nine months. During your trial work period, you will receive your full Social Security benefits regardless of how much you are earning as long as you report your work activity and you continue to have a disabling impairment. In 2011, a trial work month is any month in which your total earnings are over $720, or if you are self-employed, you earn more than $720 (after expenses) or spend more than 80 hours in your own business. The trial work period continues until you have worked nine months within a 60-month period.

Extended period of eligibility—After your trial work period, you have 36 months during which you can work and still receive benefits for any month your earnings are not “substantial.” In 2011, earnings over $1,000 ($1,640 if you are blind) are considered substantial. No new application or disability decision is needed for you to receive a Social Security disability benefit during this period.

Geesh, you have a job and stopped or no longer need meds? Then you wonder why you were "cut off"? I was in a car accident in 2007, I tried to work until my first "surgery" (arthroscopic) in December. I couldn't - my employer also couldn't work within the very strict and limited restrictions. I then had five more surgeries on my right leg (failed) and two SCS implant surgeries (Sept and Dec of 2010) that also has not helped, and now the RSD has spread to my arms, back, shoulders, etc. I am in constant pain, even with the meds and the stim. I've been doing the blocks to try and help stop things. I can't drive, I can't fully process things, what used to take a short time to complete takes forever to process. I applied for SSI, saw their shrink (he stated I could only do a sedentary job with NO STRESS and this was before this stupid SCS implant that KILLS me to sit, stand, lay, walk, etc) and got denied. I also had an IME for my auto insurance, and the IME said that I was very limited and had several restrictions, and was not able to work. This was at the same time as SSI's denial, so fortunately my PIP benefits were helping at that time. My husband has not worked due to my condition. He was working, but had to take time off for all my surgeries. I was non-weight bearing for foot surgery (6 months) and knee surgeries (6 months).

The IME the insurance company hired (hoping to get me off all benefits and say I was able to work) even told the insurance company that I required assistance with my day to day things, that I needed assistance with my personal hygiene, etc.

Am I angry at the SSI department? Yes. Did I hire an attorney? Yes. Is he shocked that I was denied? Absolutely, but happy because this is how he makes money and he feels it is a solid claim. I have seen my doctors regarding this injury constant since 2007. Sometimes as often as once a week. How did you get approved for so long? Why are you complaining about being "cut off"? I have worked since I was 16 years old. My husband has worked since he was 16. We have paid into FICA, FUTA, Medicare for most of our lives. No wonder there is no money left to help those who need it. The ones who don't are the ones who get approved quicker, longer and work (either on the books or off) and then complain when they lose their "free money".

Sorry if I come off as being a *****, but this is crazy. For every legitimate claim, it seems there is 5 that are not. So many of us are physically, mentally and financially hurting, wanting to work, missing the interactions with people other then our "friends" that are in the same painful boat we are. I miss the challenges that work brought about - even the crap and the drama. What I wouldn't give to be 100% again (or even 70%). Then someone has to complain...

Very sorry to hear you lost your SS benefits but I agree with the folks who replied before me. You have to see a doc, take your meds and if I remember correctly, the return to work program states that if you can hold down a job for nine months or more than your benefits will likely be terminated unless you can somehow prove that you are still deserving of these benefits. You can challenge the decision they made to stop your disability checks but unfortunately you don't have a leg to stand on. (No pun intended).

BabyBoomer: From April 2003 thru Dec 2007 they said that I had completed my trial work period. Then they go on to say that although you are now working , we find that the work you have been doing does not show that you can do substanstial work. I took this to mean that I could now make up to $1,000 per month without any ramifications. If now after I have worked for 3 years and made the $850-$900 per month then I am in serious trouble. II have informed Social Security that I was working and where I was working, Easter Seals. I would still have justification from the Doctor's that I could not do the job that I had done in the past, nor could I work 40 hours per week. I had made $26.00 per hour and now I make $10.50 by working in a rehabilitation center for alcohol and drugs. Worst case I may hire you to represent me, but believe me I am very nervous and concerned that I made a grave error. Thanks

Sorry but I'm not a lawyer plus I'm on SSDI and can't work. If you informed Social Security and they know about your situation-I wouldn't worry about it. Plus, If I were you,I would stop working just too be on the safe side. SSDI benefits are too important to lose and would be hard to get back especially if your SS insurance runs out.

Thanks BabyBoomer

Babyboomer: Thanks for your info and I know I should stop working but it is hard to make ends meet. Thanks God my insurance is provided by the VA. This is some info that I found from SSDI........It shows that I can still work after the 9 months and 36 month intervals as long as I don't make more than $1,000.00

Work Incentives Network

Earned Income and SSDI/Medicare Automatic Work Incentives—2009
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
TRIAL WORK PERIOD (TWP) EXTENDED PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY
(EPE)
9 TWP within 60 months 3 years (36 months)


(1) Keep SSDI check no matter how high wages go, for 9 months. (1) A 3 year safety net; starts the month after 9th TWP month, ends 36 months later. (1) After EPE ends, if countable wages are below SGA, SSDI continues.
(2) Use a TWP month each time gross wages go above $700 (2) During this period, keep SSDI check each month countable gross wages are below SGA ($980/month, $1640/month if blind).

$Gross Wages
(-) $IRWE
(-) $Subsidy
(=) $Countable Gross Wages
(2) Expedited Reinstatement: The first month countable wages go above SGA your SSDI benefit will end.
***If within 5 years from that point countable wages drop below SGA, and disability prevents SGA level work, you can request expedited reapplication and get 6 months of provisional benefits while SSA makes a decision on your reapplication.
(3) When all 9 used within 5 years, TWP ends. (3) Report income changes to SSA to restart SSDI check if stopped due to earnings. (3) If eligibility reinstated, after receiving 24 months of benefits you get a new TWP, EPE, ExR and Extended Medicare Period
Grace period: The first month your countable wages go above SGA after your TWP ends, you get to keep the SSDI check that month, plus the following two months no matter how high your wages go.

Extended Medicare: If cash benefits cease due to work and earnings continue to be above SGA, Medicare can continue for at least 93 months after TWP ends. This document was published by the Oregon Competitive Employment Project, which is part of the Oregon State Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The project is funded through a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CFDA #93.768).

You are SOL!