When Disability Insurance Terminates

• Social Security disability benefits -- unlike state disability or worker's compensation benefits -- do not have a maximum number of months payable. Benefits continue as long as the disabled individual meets the definition of disability. Disability must be total -- the program does not pay benefits based on a percentage of disability. If, however, changes occur such as medical improvement or a return to work, benefit eligibility can end.
  
  

Cessation Due to Medical Recovery

• Social Security conducts disability reviews at regular intervals to evaluate if the medical condition continues to meet the definition of disability. If the eligible recipient's condition has improved to the point the individual is capable of working substantially, benefits cease. The recipient still receives a benefit check for the month in which the disability ceased plus two additional months. Medicare coverage also ceases.
  
  

Cessation Due to Work Activity

• Social Security disability beneficiaries may work up to nine months without losing benefits in order to test their ability to work again. To count as a test month, gross earnings must be at least $720 in 2010 and 2011. The months can occur consecutively or sporadically provided all are within the same 60-month period. After completing the ninth month of work, benefits stop after an additional two-month grace period if the beneficiary continues working at a substantial level -- monthly earnings of at least $1,000 during 2010 and 2011. In the 36 months after the ninth test or trial work month, recipients receive an extended period of eligibility during which benefits resume for any month the recipient's earnings fall below the substantial level. At the end of the extended period of eligibility, benefits terminate effective the first month the recipient works at the substantial level. Recipients receive a benefit for the month of termination plus two more grace months.
  
  

Disabled Widow and Disabled Adult Child

• The rules regarding termination of benefits due to substantial work activity or medical recovery also apply to disabled widows, widowers and adults receiving disabled adult child benefits on the Social Security record of a parent. In addition, the benefits of disabled adult children terminate if they marry, unless the marriage is to a Social Security beneficiary -- with the exception of marriage to a recipient of Social Security minor child or student's benefits on the record of a retired, disabled or deceased worker. Marriage does not terminate disabled widow or widower's benefits if the marriage occurs after age 50 and after the date disabled.