For those who have suffered an injury or an illness that has resulted in a disability, it may be impossible to work. This can create all manner of financial hardships. To combat this, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides Social Security Disability benefits. In most cases, these are only available to those who have a disability that will last for at least 12 months.
The approval process can be complicated. Individuals need to fill out all of the proper paperwork, meet with medical professionals and provide medical evidence to show that they are disabled and that their condition is going to keep them out of the workforce. Say that you have gone through this process, though, and you have received an approval. You may assume that you don’t have to deal with the SSA any longer. But that may not be true. There are a few things you need to report to the SSA if they occur.
Your condition improves
First of all, your medical condition could get better. Perhaps your body is naturally healing, or maybe you’re working with medical professionals for rehabilitation and other treatment processes. If your condition improves so that you need to be reevaluated for your eligibility for benefits, you need to let the SSA know that things have changed.
You are able to work
Next, if you are suddenly able to start earning income, you need to let the SSA know that it may be possible for you to seek gainful employment once again. Perhaps there has been a change to your condition that may allow you to return to work, or maybe there have been changes in the industry that make work possible in a way that it wasn’t before.
You go back to work
Finally, you absolutely need to tell the SSA if you do return to work. This isn’t just a hypothetical situation where you may be able to, but you are actively employed. You cannot simply start collecting paychecks and disability benefits checks at the same time or you could run into legal and financial trouble.
As you can see, this can be a somewhat complicated situation. Always be sure that you understand your legal options and the steps that you’ll need to take as a benefits recipient. Seeking legal guidance is always an option.