Step 1: Understand Medical Improvement Reviews

The SSA conducts periodic reviews to assess changes in your disability status:

• Medical Improvement Review Standard (MIRS) is applied to see if your condition has improved.
• If medical evidence suggests your ability to work has improved, your benefits might be reevaluated.
• Any improvement must be related to your ability to do substantial gainful activity (SGA).

Step 2: Monitoring Work Activity and Earnings

Your earnings can affect SSDI eligibility:

• If you earn above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, SSA may consider you no longer disabled.
• Trial Work Periods (TWP) allow you to test your ability to work without losing benefits immediately.
• After TWP, sustained work activity can lead to termination of SSDI benefits.

Step 3: Reporting Health and Income Changes

You must keep SSA updated about your status:

• Inform SSA promptly about any improvements in your health or changes in employment.
• Failing to report these changes can lead to overpayments and legal consequences.

Step 4: Potential for Continuing Benefits

Not all health improvements automatically end benefits:

• Residual impairments might still qualify you for SSDI despite some improvement.
• SSA evaluates your functional capacity to determine if you can return to work.

Key Considerations

Remember these important points about losing benefits due to health improvement:

• Benefit termination is based on objective medical evidence.
• You have the right to appeal if SSDI benefits are stopped.
• Work incentives exist to help recipients transition back to employment.