Can You Lose Disability Benefits In Oklahoma?

Tulsa Disability Attorneys Fight For SSDI And SSI Disability Benefits

Can you lose disability benefits in Oklahoma? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Multiple circumstances could lead to the termination of your Oklahoma Social Security Disability insurance (SSDI) and supplemental security income (SSI) disability benefits. These benefits depend on your medical condition, ability to work and/or income. Therefore, any changes in your circumstances may result in the loss of Social Security benefits.

Fortunately, you can meet with the Tulsa disability attorneys of Troutman & Troutman, P.C. should you ever face the possibility of losing your Oklahoma SSDI or SSI benefits. We exclusively focus on representing disability claims before the Social Security Administration (SSA). The husband-wife team at our disability law firm is dedicated to keeping your Oklahoma Social Security benefits active.

How Can You Lose SSDI or SSI Disability Benefits in Oklahoma?

Depending on your age and degree of disability, every three to seven years the SSA will perform a continuing disability review (CDR). The CDR will determine disability improvements and re-evaluate your capacity to work. This process can also involve evaluating not only your health but changes in financial circumstances. If you have new income sources, new resources, or your living arrangements have changed, the SSA will consider if you still meet the agency’s requirements. This process is called redetermination.

If the results of the CDR or redetermination indicate that your disability status has improved enough for you to re-enter the Oklahoma workforce, then your SSDI and/or SSI disability benefits may end. However, if you feel your Oklahoma SSDI or SSI benefits were unjustly ended due to “medical improvement,” then reach out to our Social Security attorneys. We can submit a Social Security Disability appeal or request for reconsideration to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Can You Lose Oklahoma SSDI Disability Benefits If You Go Back to Work?

Eligibility for Oklahoma SSDI benefits is based on an inability to work as a result of a disability. However, some people who have been determined to be disabled continue to work in part-time jobs to make ends meet. If your work activity is considered by the Social Security Administration to be “substantial gainful activity” (SGA), then your benefits will be terminated. Currently, earnings of more than $1,180 per month (for non-blind claimants) or $1,970 (for blind claimants) are considered to be SGA.

Some people try to avoid having their benefits terminated by working for “cash” without reporting the income to the Social Security Administration. Doing so is illegal and can result in very serious civil and criminal penalties. Do not do that. If you are working part-time or full-time, you must report the income to the Social Security Administration.

New measures from the SSA may also allow you to return to work without endangering your benefits. In the past, if a person on SSDI tried to rejoin the workforce, then their benefits would have immediately ended. This keeps many from transitioning, because they fear what will happen if they cannot work as they thought they could. If reentry into the workforce did not work out, then the former claimant would have to reapply for SSDI all over again. With current waitlists, that could leave them without income for months.

However, under new rules, these same beneficiaries may qualify for a trial work period. So, if your attempt to return to work does not pan out, then you can claim your benefits without reapplying. The SSA offers this program and others to help those who want to return to work without risking their disability benefits.

Please reach out to our Social Security attorneys if you fear losing your benefits before you can return to work successfully.

Will I Lose Oklahoma SSDI Benefits Once I Reach Retirement Age?

Once you are of retirement age, you will receive benefits from the Social Security Retirement Benefits program. Your SSDI disability benefits will end and retirement benefits begin, as you cannot receive both types of benefits at the same time. It is usually not a significant change in income between these types of benefits.

How Can You Lose Disability Benefits in Oklahoma?

If your income has increased, you could be expecting a decrease in Oklahoma SSI disability payments. If your combined earned and unearned income surpasses the SSI income limits, you may risk losing your Oklahoma SSI disability benefits altogether.

In a process called redetermination, the Social Security Administration reviews your income, resources and living arrangements. The following sources of “unearned” income could factor into determining your continued disability benefit eligibility:

• Child support, alimony
• Free food and rent, household support
• Parental support
• Unemployment benefits

Additionally, a change in your living situation could cause the SSA to reassess the SSI disability benefits you receive. Moving into a halfway house or assisted living facility are examples of this.

Can I Collect SSI Disability Benefits After I Turn 18?

If you received Oklahoma SSI disability benefits as a child, you will have your eligibility reassessed in the month before you turn 18. Our Tulsa disability lawyers can guide you through the process of a Social Security SSI or SSDI benefits reassessment.

Worried You May Lose Disability Benefits in Oklahoma? Call Us Today

Our experienced disability attorneys focus solely on disability law. We can help defend against the disruption of disability benefits. If you need to appeal the SSA’s decision to terminate your Oklahoma Social Security Disability benefits, then call our disability law firm today.

Reach out to our Social Security attorneys in Tulsa by calling (918) 265-1404. You can then set up a free disability law evaluation with us. We can discuss how you can avoid losing your Oklahoma SSDI or SSI disability benefits.