What life changes could affect my Social Security disability benefits?

The Social Security Disability program is designed to help those who are most in need of aid. For this reason, those who have found additional support for their injuries or loss of income may no longer qualify for Social Security benefits.

Here are just a few life changes that can affect your Florida Social Security disability benefits:

• Returning to work. If you take a job, including self-employment, while receiving disability benefits, your Social Security payments may be adjusted. You could qualify for a trial work period, where you work in conjunction with paid benefits, but this will only continue for nine months. However, you may be able to claim work expenses for your injury, such as a wheelchair, special computer equipment, or medication.
• Accepting other government benefits. Your payments may be reduced if you are being paid through another program, such as workers’ compensation, pensions form workplaces not covered by Social Security, or similar aid provided by the state.
• Becoming unable to manage your benefits. If you have a condition that hinders your ability to manage your income, such as addiction, advanced age, or mental disability, Social Security may send benefits to a caregiver on your behalf, provided the money will be used for your care.
• Getting married, divorced, or changing your name. If your financial status changes when your marital status does, your Social Security benefit payments could be affected. Additionally, checks issued under a changed name may present a problem at your bank, so it is vital that you notify the Social Security office with changes in your personal information following your marriage or divorce.
• Arrest, conviction, or violation of parole. By law, you cannot receive disability payments for any month where there is an outstanding felony warrant for your arrest. If you are convicted of a crime, no benefits will be paid in the months in which you were incarcerated. However, some eligible family members may continue to receive disability benefits.

If your Social Security benefits were unreasonably suspended, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves unexpectedly cut off from their benefits by a letter from the Social Security Administration-on top of several unopened bills.

Get help from the Palm Beach Social Security disability lawyers that know how to read the fine print on government policies. Call Fetterman & Associates today at (866) 865-1244 to fight for your family’s right to disability compensation.