If you're currently receiving Social Security disability benefits, those benefits will continue as long as you're disabled. However, your case will be reviewed periodically. The frequency of the reviews depends on if, and when, you're expected to recover. If you're expected to improve, your case will normally be reviewed within six to 18 months, then again in no sooner than three years. If medical improvement is not expected, your case may be reviewed in no sooner than seven years. There are two things that can cause you to no longer be considered disabled and your benefits to be discontinued. If you work at a level that's 'substantial'-- that is, if you make 500 dollars a month or more-- or if you're no longer disabled, your benefits will stop. You must promptly report any improvement in your condition, your return to work, and certain other events. There's a trial work period that allows you to earn as much as you can during nine months over a five-year period without affecting your benefits. After your trial work period ends, your earnings are evaluated, and if they don't average more than 500 dollars a month, benefits will generally continue for a three-month grace period before they stop. For 36 months after a successful trial work period, if you're still disabled, you'll be eligible to receive benefits without a new application for any month your earnings drop below 500 dollars. Your Medicare coverage will continue for 39 months beyond the trial work period. If your Medicare coverage stops because of your work, you may purchase it for a monthly premium. If you're receiving SSI (S-S-I) benefits-- Supplemental Security Income-- different rules apply. For more information about getting your eligibility extended, contact your local Social Security office, or you can call the toll-free number, 800-772-1213, 24 hours a day. You can speak to a representative from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on business days.
