The Social Security Administration (SSA) periodically reviews an applicant’s income, resources, and living arrangements to ensure he or she continues to meet the non-medical requirements related to eligibility for benefits and to ensure that he or she is receiving the correct payment amount. This periodic review is referred to as a redetermination. If a recipient is married or a disabled child under age 18 living with his or her parent(s), the SSA also reviews the income, resources, and living arrangements of a recipient’s spouse or parent(s). See our blog about deemed or imputed income.

Eligibility and benefit amounts of most recipients are redetermined every one to six years. If a beneficiary reports a change that affects eligibility or payment, such as marriage, the SSA may also review income, resources, and living arrangements at this time.

A redetermination is conducted by the SSA in three ways:

  • by telephone interview;
  • in person; or
  • by mail.

For telephone and in-person interviews, a recipient typically receives a letter informing him or her that the SSA will call on a certain date and time, or a request to appear at the local Social Security office for a redetermination. The SSA staff will collect information and complete any applicable forms during the interview. If a recipient has a representative payee, the SSA will send the appointment letter to the representative payee.

If a redetermination is conducted by mail, the SSA sends a redetermination form for the beneficiary to complete, sign and return. If the beneficiary has a representative payee, he or she must complete and sign the redetermination form on the recipient’s behalf.

Once the  SSA sends such a letter, the beneficiary has 30 days to:

  • respond to the appointment letter;
  • complete and return the form; or
  • inform the SSA that the appointment may not be kept or report that he or she is experiencing problems completing the form.

If a beneficiary fails to respond, he or she may:

  • have payments discontinued;
  • have benefits overpaid or underpaid.

If SSI eligibility is lost, a beneficiary may also lose Medicaid eligibility based on getting SSI benefits.

A beneficiary may need certain documents for a redetermination although the SSA may not need all of the documents below. If a document is necessary, the SSA will inform a beneficiary and may even assist in obtaining it.These documents include:

  • bank statements for any savings or checking accounts;
  • pay stubs;
  • income tax returns;
  • proof of other income whether earned or unearned;
  • life insurance policies;
  • burial contracts; and
  • receipts and bills indicating monthly expenses.

An experienced disability attorney can help claimants properly file their claim for benefits. Contact the Sullivan Law Office today by calling 888-587-0228 or visiting us online! We offer free consultations, so you have absolutely nothing to lose! We look forward to hearing from you.Redeterminations Of Social Security Eligibility