How Long Will SSD Benefits Last if You Are Approved?

Once you are approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you will begin receiving monthly payments. However, these benefits do not last forever under most circumstances. The duration depends on the following factors:

• Medical Improvement: SSD benefits are intended for individuals whose conditions are expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. If your condition improves and you are able to return to work, your benefits may stop. The SSA periodically reviews cases to determine if there has been any medical improvement that would allow you to return to work.
• Your Work Ability: If you are able to return to work and earn more than a specific threshold of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), your benefits will end. For 2025, the SGA monthly earnings limit for non-blind individuals is $1,470, and for blind individuals, it is $2,460.

Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) conducts Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) periodically to determine if you still meet the eligibility criteria for SSDI benefits. These reviews can happen every 3 to 7 years, depending on the severity of your condition.

• What Happens During a CDR?: The SSA will evaluate your medical records, consult with your healthcare providers, and determine if your condition has improved. If the SSA decides that you have recovered or that you are capable of working, they may stop your benefits.
• What If Your Condition Hasn’t Improved?: If the SSA determines that your condition has not improved and that you are still unable to work, your SSDI benefits will continue.

SSD Benefits and Retirement

When you reach the age of full retirement age, your SSDI benefits will automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits. Your monthly payment amount will generally stay the same, but your benefits will no longer be considered disability benefits.

• Full Retirement Age: Your full retirement age depends on the year you were born. For example, if you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. Once you reach this age, your SSDI benefits transition into retirement benefits without any interruption in payments.
• What Does This Mean?: Even if your disability has not improved, once you reach retirement age, your benefits will no longer be classified as disability benefits, but they will continue to be paid as retirement benefits.

Can SSDI Benefits End if You Return to Work?

Yes, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can stop if you return to work and earn more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. However, the SSA offers a Trial Work Period (TWP) to give you time to test your ability to work without losing your benefits immediately.

• Trial Work Period: The TWP allows you to work for nine months within a 60-month period without your benefits being affected. During these months, you can earn more than the SGA limit, and you will still receive your SSDI benefits. After the Trial Work Period ends, if you continue working and earn more than the SGA limit, your benefits will stop.
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): After the TWP, you may enter the Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE), which lasts for 36 months. During this time, if you earn below the SGA threshold, you can still receive benefits. If you earn above the SGA limit, your benefits will stop.

What Happens if Your Benefits Are Stopped?

If your Social Security Disability benefits are stopped due to medical improvement, returning to work, or reaching full retirement age, you may be eligible to apply for other forms of Social Security benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), if you meet the eligibility requirements.

• Appeal a Stoppage: If you believe that your SSD benefits were wrongly stopped, you can appeal the decision. You have the right to request a reconsideration or a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to challenge the SSA’s decision.

Can I Get SSD Benefits for Life?

While Social Security Disability benefits are generally not intended to last a lifetime, there are exceptions:

• Life-long Conditions: If you have a condition that is expected to last forever, such as cancer or a severe injury, and you are unable to work, your benefits can continue indefinitely, as long as you continue to meet the SSA’s definition of disability.
• Permanent Disability: If your disability is considered permanent and you do not expect any improvement, your benefits can continue, but you may still have to undergo periodic Continuing Disability Reviews.