Question About Cutting Off My Check

A disability check could be ceased for any number of reasons. For instance, a person’s benefits might be cut off happen when he or she misses a follow up appointment with the doctor through Disability Determination Services.  It is very important to read your mail when you are receiving disability benefits.  If you miss one of these follow up doctor appointments, which could be scheduled at any time, your benefits could be cut off for that reason alone.

Sometimes your disabling condition can appear to have improved so your benefits are ceased.  For instance, if you were approved for benefits because of your herniated disc, and you have since had surgery to repair that, then be on the look out for a reevaluation letter.  Your doctor will need to confirm that you continue to suffer from disabling limitations from your condition.

Your benefits might be cut off if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income and your financial status changes.  This often happens when a recipient gets married and the new spouse has a good income or if you have inherited money.  Any change of financial status could affect your SSI benefits.

If you feel like your check was cut off due unfairly then you should fight the cessation.  You must appeal the cessation right away, within 10 days of receiving the cessation letter, in order to be able to continue to receive benefits while you appeal.  Again, it is so important to read your mail when you are receiving disability benefits.  To appeal your cessation you should complete a form SSA-789-U4, “Request for Reconsideration – Disability Cessation Right to Appear”.

You can opt to either continue to receive benefits during your appeal or not.  If you continue to receive benefits, but you eventually lose your appeal then you will be required to owe that money back.  For that reason some people chose not to continue to receive benefits during their appeal.  If that is the case then you should fill out a SSA-789-U4, and you have 60 days from the date of your cessation notice to submit that.

You have the right to request an in person appeal hearing.  You should bring medical evidence with you to confirm that you continue to suffer from disabling limitations of function due to your medical conditions.

We serve clients throughout the Carolinas from our offices in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Columbia.