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An SSDI termination letter saying your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits will end can feel alarming. If you just got an SSDI benefits terminated notice, your next step depends on why the Social Security Administration (SSA) says your benefits will stop.
This article explains what to do when you get the notice, your options, and deadlines.
When you get an SSDI termination notice, you want to act fast so you don’t miss important deadlines. Here’s what to do right away:
A notice saying your disability benefits will end may use the words “terminated,” “cessation,” or “suspended.” These terms describe different reasons benefits will stop. You need to understand the reason before acting.
Let’s look at the terms the SSA uses and what they mean. These labels matter because they affect your next steps and how fast you must act.
Use the notice language to understand your situation. If it describes more than one issue, contact the SSA to confirm the reason your benefits will end.
Typically, a disability cessation notice mentions a continuing disability review (CDR), medical improvement, or says you are no longer disabled (or all three). If your disability cessation notice discusses a medical review, read the sections on appealing and continued benefits.
Some notices say benefits will end because of work, earnings, or SSDI earnings limits. Gather your work documents and double check the hours and income for the months the SSA says you earned or worked too much.
If the notice says your benefits will end because of a reason that’s not medical or work-based, note the reason.
You may be able to fix the problem by sending a missed form or rescheduling an exam. If the notice says “non-cooperation,” but you don’t know what was missed, contact the SSA and find out.
You may have more than one option depending on your case. Your best choice depends on the reason benefits are ending.
You may start an SSDI appeal by filing a Request for Reconsideration – Disability Cessation Right to Appear form. You have 65 days to file the appeal based on the day you got your notice, so mark your appeal deadline right away. 60 days plus five days allowed for mail. Check for your deadline.
In a medical cessation situation, you can request benefit continuation so payments continue while you appeal. If you want to do this, you have 10 days from the notice date to ask for continued benefits and submit the appeal request.
You can only ask for benefit continuation when the reason payments will end is medically-related.
You could request expedited reinstatement (EXR) if your benefits ended (or will end) because you were able to work a significant amount but now you can’t because of your health condition.
EXR is an option if you had to stop working again because of the same or a closely-related condition. EXR is an option if it’s been more than three years but less than five years since benefits ended. The SSA may pay temporary benefits for up to six months while it reviews your case again.
While EXR is meant to be quicker than initial approval, it can still take months. Filing at your local SSA office may help speed the process. Use Form SSA-371. If the SSA denies EXR, the denial can be appealed.
Learn more about earnings limits while you receive SSDI.
When a new health condition prevents you from working or the SSA says a new claim is required, you must file a new application.
If you need help applying again, Advocate’s disability specialists can help.
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Get EvaluationDeadlines apply for all of your options except starting over. Read your notice and mark the day it was sent. You have 65 days from the notice date to appeal. File as early as you can. The SSA may accept a late appeal with good cause, but that’s not guaranteed.
If you want continued benefits, your appeal deadline is shorter: you need to file within 10 days of the notice date.
Send evidence that shows why the SSA should reconsider the decision if you have it. Match evidence to the reason the notice says benefits will end.
If you don’t have the evidence, send your providers’ contact information and indicate which records to request. Keep copies of everything you submit, how you submitted, and the date. Get a confirmation number/page or a mail receipt.
After you file a continuing disability review appeal, reviewers at your state Disability Determination Services office look at your file and evidence. They will request the evidence if needed. They may ask you for more information or schedule an exam. Respond quickly and attend the exam. Call to reschedule if you can’t make it.
After you file, check your mail and/or online Social Security account often so you don’t miss requests. When you get a proof of delivery for mail or fax, save it in your disability folder.
Continued benefits can protect your income during a medical cessation appeal, but there’s a tradeoff. If your appeal is unsuccessful, you will have to repay the benefits for the months you weren’t eligible.
If you don’t ask for continued benefits and your appeal is successful, you will be owed backpay for the months you were eligible but didn’t get paid.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and for younger people with disabilities. Medicaid is a joint federal and state health coverage program for people with limited income and resources.
You get Medicare 24 months after SSDI entitlement starts or earlier in cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and end stage renal disease. If you’re worried about Medicare after SSDI stops, Medicare continues for 93 months. When you turn 65, you get Medicare as part of retirement benefits.
It’s normal to feel confused about your choices and frantic about deadlines when you get a notice that SSDI benefits will end. Talk to the SSA about the reason you got the notice and the options that fit your situation.
Have your SSDI termination letter or notice if you call or go to a local office for help. It also helps to gather your recent medical records, your work and earnings details if work is involved, and any proof you have that the decision was in error.
Advocate doesn’t provide legal or medical advice but we know what’s needed for a strong disability claim.
If you have not been approved for SSDI yet or were denied, Advocate’s disability specialists can help.
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Get EvaluationNo. Terminated means the benefits you get now will end. You may challenge that decision, file for EXR, or file a new claim depending on your situation.
An appeal challenges an SSA decision. EXR is a restart request for benefits that ended due to work when you had to stop working again because of the same or a related condition.
Possibly. You can only request continued benefits in a medical cessation within 10 days of the notice’s date.
The SSA may accept a late filing if you have good cause like you were in the hospital. File as soon as you can and include a short explanation.
No. If you’re worried about Medicare after SSDI stops, your coverage continues for 93 months after SSDI benefits stop.
Yes. You can appeal a denial of an EXR request online, over the phone, or in person.
It depends on why your benefits ended or are ending. The SSA can tell you if you can appeal or ask for EXR, or if you need to file a new application.
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