Could you lose SSD benefits?

If you’re permanently disabled in North Carolina, you might be able to receive Social Security Disability benefits for the rest of your life. However, the state might cut off your benefits if your situation changes. Periodically, the state will review your situation to see if you’re still eligible for benefits.

What Could Cause The State To End Your Benefits?

The state might end your Social Security Disability benefits, or SSD, if you get a job and start earning at least $1,310 a month. If you can earn this much money from your job, the state will assume that you don’t need to continue collecting SSD. However, you can earn up to $2,190 a month and still collect SSD if you’re legally blind.

You could also lose your benefits if the state concludes that you’re no longer disabled and can go back to work at any time. For example, you might have stopped working for several months due to a back injury. If surgery seems to have solved the problem, the state might decide that you’re healthy enough to re-enter the workforce.

If you’re dealing with a minor disability, the state will review your case between 6 and 18 months after you start collecting SSD. For a moderate disability, your case review will come after three years. If recovery is unlikely, the state will review your case after seven years. A disability attorney may offer more information about this process.

Do You Qualify For SSD?

Before the state gives you SSD, you’ll have to prove that you have a qualifying injury or disability. An attorney may tell you if you’re eligible for SSD. If you’re not, an attorney might suggest other alternatives. If you are, your attorney may help you apply for SSD so that you can start collecting benefits as soon as possible.