The Social Security Administration (SSA) may have done a fair job in calculating your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits with your initial application. But as time goes on, this amount may not accurately coincide with the amount you realistically need, for better or worse. This is when you may need to go through the formal process of requesting a modification to your benefits amount. So please follow along to find out how to effectively modify your SSDI benefits and how a proficient New Jersey SSDI attorney at The Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur can help you figure out when this is necessary.
Why would I need to modify my SSDI benefits?
Importantly, the SSA is charged with reviewing your disability and verifying that you are still eligible for SSDI benefits from time to time. The frequency of these Continuing Disability Reviews may depend on the type of disability you have and its likeliness to improve over time (i.e., expected, possible, or not expected).
But before the SSA goes on to conduct a Continuing Disability Review, you should take it upon yourself to notify them of any improvement in your disability. Or, you should report whether you have returned to work after your nine-month trial work period or if you have otherwise become self-employed since then. This is because if you do not disclose these changes promptly, the SSA may rule that you have been collecting too much and your SSDI benefits amount should have been modified a long time ago. With this, they may impose sanctions, apply penalties, or ultimately stop your disability benefits altogether.
On the other hand, though, your disability may have taken a turn for the worse. Or, you may have experienced an increase in your basic living expenses, which may or may not be connected to your declining health condition. In cases like these, you may need the SSA to modify your SSDI benefits to a larger amount. In a similar vein, your disability may have gone away years ago, but it may have resurfaced recently. With this, you may need to request that the SSA grant an expedited reinstatement of your SSDI benefits.
How can I effectively modify my SSDI benefits?
In the case that your disability has since improved, you may effectively modify your SSDI benefits by logging into your personal Social Security account and selecting the Complete Your Continuing Disability Review tool. But if this is a matter of wanting to receive a greater SSDI benefits amount, you may call the SSA or visit your local SSA office in person. Here, a representative may guide you in how and when you should report changes to get a modification granted.
Contact a talented New Jersey SSDI attorney to gain the emotional and legal support you require during this pivotal time. Our team at the Law Offices of Sheryl Gandel Mazur looks forward to helping you.
