Now that you are receiving Social Security Disability benefits, you may be asking yourself, “how long can you receive Disability benefits?”
Here’s the answer. You will continue to receive disability benefits as long as you remain disabled. Once you reach retirement age, your benefits will convert to retirement benefits, which are payable until death.
There are no set dates that Social Security Disability benefits will stop once you start receiving them. However, certain factors could lead to the end of these benefits.
- Type of disability benefits you receive
- Medical improvements
- Your earnings
- Your age
- Incarceration
If you believe the Social Security Administration is unfairly ending your benefits, you can reach out to us. Our Social Security experts can assist you.
What Could Affect My Ability to Continue Receiving Benefits?
Once you have been approved for Social Security benefits, your case will be categorized into one of three categories:
- Medical Improvement Expected (MIE)
- Medical Improvement Possible (MIP)
- Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE)
Medical Improvement Expected (MIE)
If your case is labeled as MIE, that means that the Social Security Administration expects that your condition will improve. You will be given a continuing eligibility review in approximately 6-18 months.
If during that review, it is determined that your condition has improved and you are able to return to work, your benefits will be discontinued. If your condition has not improved at the time of your review, your Social Security Disability payments will continue and you will receive another review in another 6-18 months.
Medical Improvement Possible (MIP)
If your case is labeled as MIP, that means the SSA believes that it is possible that your condition will improve but is not likely. In this case, you will be given a continuing eligibility review in approximately 2-5 years.
If, at the time of this review, your condition has improved and you are able to return to work, your benefits will stop. If you are unable to return to work and your condition has not improved, then you will continue to receive Social Security Disability payments and will be up for review again in another 2-5 years.
Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE)
If your case is labeled as MINE, that means that the SSA does not think your condition will ever improve. You will still undergo continuing eligibility reviews, but those reviews will be conducted approximately every 5-7 years.
As long as your condition does not improve, you will continue to receive Social Security Disability benefits until you reach retirement age, at which point your disability benefits will convert over to Social Security Retirement benefits.
What To Do About Your Social Security Disability Status
If you have additional questions about how long you can receive disability benefits, contact us to speak with our Social Security experts today. We can assist you with continuing to receive Social Security benefits.
Also, consider referring family, friends, neighbors, or former co-workers that may also need assistance with disability benefits.