Social Security sent me a work review letter - Do I need to respond or risk losing benefits?

These work review letters are standard procedure for the SSA to periodically verify your situation hasn't changed. You absolutely should respond to it - ignoring it could lead to payment interruptions. Even though your volunteer work was unpaid, it's good they're checking because any work activity (paid or unpaid) can potentially affect SSDI eligibility depending on skill level and hours. Complete all the forms they sent with accurate details about your volunteer work, emphasizing it was unpaid and limited. If possible, include documentation from the school confirming the hours and nature of what you did. The fact you only did 10 hours total is well below SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity) levels, so you should be fine.

Omg I got the exact same letter last year and PANICKED!!! I was literally like shaking when I opened it. But turned out it was just a routine check. They do this randomly to make sure nobody's secretly working while collecting. Just fill out the forms honestly and you'll be fine.

DONT IGNORE IT!!!!! My cousin ignored one of these and they SUSPENDED his benefits for 3 months until he finally responded with the info they wanted!!! The SSA doesn't play around with these things. They can and will cut you off if you don't respond. And getting benefits reinstated is 100X harder than just filling out their stupid form.

These work review letters from the Wilkes-Barre Data Operations Center are part of SSA's Continuing Disability Review (CDR) process. For SSDI recipients, these reviews happen periodically - typically every 3 years for conditions that might improve, or every 7 years for permanent conditions. Regarding your volunteer work: While true that volunteer work doesn't generate income, SSA does consider your ability to perform tasks as potentially relevant to your disability status. However, 10 hours of volunteer work over a month is unlikely to trigger benefit termination. On the form, there should be a section for "remarks" or "additional information" where you can explain the volunteer situation. If there isn't one, include a separate sheet with your SSN at the top explaining: - The volunteer nature of the activity - The limited hours (10 total) - Any accommodations you required to perform this work - Whether the activity caused pain or difficulties related to your disability Complete honesty is crucial here. The form is legally binding, and providing false information could create serious problems later.

I've had to deal with those annoying SSA work reviews too. Been trying to reach someone at Social Security to understand if my situation would trigger a review, and kept getting disconnected after waiting for hours. Then I found this service called Claimyr that basically gets you through to a live SSA agent without the endless hold times. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - totally changed my experience dealing with Social Security phone lines. Once I actually spoke with an agent, they explained exactly what I needed to submit and why, which made everything way less stressful.

ok so im gonna disagree with everyone here a little bit. these letters ARE routine but they ALSO use them to try and catch people and cut benefits. my brother got one last year and he was doing some cash handyman work on the side that he never reported. they somehow found out and reduced his payment by like $450/month!!! they said he exceeded the SGA limit or something. so be SUPER careful what you put on that form.

I had to deal with something similar a few months back. The key is responding quickly and thoroughly. Here's what worked for me: 1. Make copies of EVERYTHING before sending it in 2. Send your response via certified mail so you have proof they received it 3. Call the number on the letter to confirm they received your response (this is where I got stuck in endless phone trees) 4. If you have a MySSA online account, check it regularly for updates For your volunteer work, definitely disclose it but make it very clear it was unpaid and minimal hours. The threshold that matters is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), and occasional volunteer work is almost never considered SGA unless it's essentially full-time volunteering.

Just wondering - does the letter say anything about a deadline to respond? Some of these have like a 10-day window and others give you 30 days. Don't miss whatever deadline they gave you!

One more thing that's important - if your medical condition has changed at all since your last review, be prepared for them to possibly request medical records too. These work reviews sometimes trigger medical reviews, especially if it's been close to that 3-year mark since your initial approval or last review. Make sure your doctors are up to date with documenting your ongoing conditions.

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice! I've filled out the form, explained my volunteer work in the remarks section, and I'm mailing it certified tomorrow morning. I'll update this thread after I hear back from SSA. Fingers crossed this is just routine and my benefits continue without any issues.

Just wanted to add that I went through this exact same process last year and it really is just routine in most cases. The fact that you're being proactive and honest about the volunteer work is exactly the right approach. One tip - when you mail it certified, keep that receipt! I had to reference my tracking number when I called to confirm they received my paperwork. Also, don't be surprised if it takes 4-6 weeks to hear back from them - the processing time can feel like forever when you're anxious about it, but that's totally normal. Your situation with minimal unpaid volunteer work shouldn't cause any issues with your benefits.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and want to reassure you that it's very likely just routine. The SSA does these work reviews periodically, and they're not necessarily targeting you specifically. Your volunteer work situation is actually pretty common - many SSDI recipients do occasional volunteer work, and as long as it's truly unpaid and limited (which yours clearly is), it shouldn't affect your benefits at all. The key things I learned: 1) Always respond within their deadline (sounds like you're on top of this), 2) Be completely honest about everything, and 3) Keep detailed records of your response. Since you're mailing it certified tomorrow, you're doing everything right. The anxiety around these letters is totally normal - I barely slept for days after getting mine - but in the vast majority of cases, especially for situations like yours, they just review your info and continue your benefits unchanged.

I just want to echo what others have said about not ignoring this letter - it's absolutely critical that you respond within their deadline. I work as a benefits counselor and see people deal with these work review letters regularly. The good news is that your situation with unpaid volunteer work at your child's school is very straightforward and shouldn't cause any problems with your benefits. The SSA distinguishes between work that demonstrates earning capacity versus activities that don't rise to the level of substantial gainful activity. Ten hours of unpaid school volunteering over a month clearly falls into the latter category. When you fill out the form, be sure to emphasize that it was unpaid, limited in scope, and related to your child's education. Also mention if you needed any accommodations or if the activity caused you any pain or fatigue related to your disability - this helps demonstrate that your underlying condition hasn't improved. You're doing everything right by responding promptly and being transparent about the volunteer work.

I'm so glad you're getting this sorted out and responding promptly! Just wanted to add one more reassurance - I've been on SSDI for 5 years now and have received two of these work review letters. Both times I was terrified they were going to find some reason to cut my benefits, but both times it was truly just routine verification. The first time I was doing some unpaid tutoring for my neighbor's kids (maybe 3-4 hours a week), and the second time I had helped my church organize their food pantry for a few weekends. In both cases, I disclosed everything honestly just like you're doing, and my benefits continued without any changes. The waiting period after you send in your response is nerve-wracking, but try not to let it consume you. The SSA processes thousands of these reviews every month, and the vast majority result in continued benefits for people who are honest and whose situations haven't significantly changed. You're handling this exactly right!

I'm really glad to see this community coming together to help you through this stressful situation! As someone who's been through a similar work review, I want to emphasize that the transparency and promptness you're showing is exactly what the SSA wants to see. Your 10 hours of unpaid volunteer work at your child's school is a perfect example of the kind of activity that demonstrates civic engagement without crossing any SGA thresholds. One small addition to the great advice already given - when you describe the volunteer work in the remarks section, you might want to mention that it was directly related to your role as a parent rather than seeking employment or demonstrating work capacity. This helps frame it as a family responsibility rather than a return to the workforce. The fact that you needed accommodations and experienced fatigue/pain during those 10 hours actually supports your continued eligibility. Best of luck with your response, and please do update us when you hear back!

Just want to add my voice to everyone else saying DON'T PANIC! I know it's easier said than done, but I've been on SSDI for 4 years and got one of these letters about 18 months ago. Like you, I was doing some very minimal volunteer work - helping with my local food bank maybe twice a month for a couple hours each time. I was absolutely terrified when I got that letter from Wilkes-Barre, but it really was just routine. The key things that helped me: 1) I responded within their deadline (sounds like you're already on top of this), 2) I was completely honest about the volunteer work, and 3) I included details about how my disability still affected me during those volunteer hours. In my case, I had to sit down frequently and couldn't lift heavy items due to my back issues. About 6 weeks later, I got a simple letter saying my benefits would continue unchanged. Your situation with 10 hours of unpaid school volunteering is even more clearly non-problematic than mine was. You're doing everything right by being proactive and honest!

I just wanted to share my experience as someone who's been through multiple work reviews over the years. I've been on SSDI for about 7 years now, and I've received these work review letters three different times - and each time I was absolutely convinced they were going to find some reason to cut my benefits! But looking back, they really were just routine checks. The most important thing I learned is that the SSA actually WANTS people on disability to stay engaged in their communities when possible. Occasional volunteer work like what you did at your child's school is actually viewed positively - it shows you're trying to contribute within your limitations, not that you're ready to return to full-time employment. For your response, definitely mention not just that it was unpaid and limited hours, but also any ways your disability impacted your ability to do even that small amount of volunteering. Did you need extra rest afterward? Have to modify how you helped? These details actually support your continued eligibility rather than harm it. The waiting period is honestly the worst part of this whole process, but try to remember that the vast majority of these reviews result in continued benefits for people who are honest about their situations. You're handling this exactly right, and your benefits should continue without any issues!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share that I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago! Got that same letter from Wilkes-Barre after doing some unpaid volunteer work at my local library (helping with their literacy program for maybe 15 hours total over two months). I was absolutely terrified and convinced they were going to take away my benefits. Reading through all these responses really brings back memories of how panicked I was. But everyone here is giving you exactly the right advice - respond promptly, be completely honest, and don't ignore it under any circumstances. I made sure to explain in detail that my volunteer work was unpaid, limited in scope, and that I still needed accommodations due to my disability (had to take frequent breaks due to chronic fatigue). About 5 weeks after I sent in my response, I got a letter confirming my benefits would continue unchanged. The whole experience taught me that these reviews really are routine for most people, even though they feel absolutely terrifying when you first get them. Your situation with 10 hours of school volunteering is even more straightforward than mine was. The fact that you're being proactive and responding within their 15-day deadline puts you in great shape. Hang in there - this community support is amazing and you're definitely handling everything the right way!

As someone who's been on SSDI for about 2 years, I just wanted to add my support and say you're absolutely doing the right thing by responding quickly and honestly. I haven't received one of these work review letters yet, but reading through everyone's experiences here is really educational and reassuring for when my time comes. Your situation with 10 hours of unpaid school volunteering seems so clearly within normal bounds - it's exactly the kind of community involvement that shows you're trying to stay engaged within your limitations. The fact that you experienced fatigue and needed breaks during even that minimal activity actually demonstrates that your disability is still significantly impacting you. I love how this community comes together to support each other through these stressful situations. Before reading this thread, I probably would have panicked just like you did if I received one of these letters. But now I understand they really are routine, and the key is just being honest and responsive. You've got this! Please keep us updated on how it goes - your experience will probably help the next person who gets one of these scary letters.

I'm so glad to see how this community rallied around you during such a stressful time! As someone who's been on SSDI for about 6 years and has dealt with two of these work review letters, I can confirm everything everyone else has said - they really are routine, and your approach of being honest and responsive is perfect. One thing I wanted to add that might help future readers: keep a simple log of any volunteer activities you do, including dates, hours, and any accommodations you needed. I started doing this after my first review, and it made responding to my second letter much easier since I had all the details readily available. It also helps demonstrate the limited nature of volunteer work when you can show specific dates and hours rather than estimating. Your 10 hours of unpaid school volunteering spread over a month is such a clear example of appropriate community engagement that doesn't rise to SGA levels. The fact that you needed breaks due to fatigue and pain actually reinforces your continued eligibility rather than threatening it. Looking forward to your update when you hear back from SSA - I'm confident it will be positive news that helps reassure others in similar situations!

I'm really impressed by how supportive this community has been! As someone who's relatively new to SSDI (about 8 months now), reading through all these shared experiences has been incredibly educational. It's clear that work review letters are much more routine than they initially appear, and the consistent advice about responding honestly and promptly seems to be the key. Your situation with 10 hours of unpaid school volunteering really does seem straightforward - it's exactly the kind of limited community engagement that shouldn't raise any red flags. The fact that you experienced limitations and needed accommodations during even that small amount of activity actually supports your case rather than hurts it. I haven't received one of these letters yet, but when I do (and it sounds like it's a matter of when, not if), I'll definitely remember this thread and all the practical advice shared here. Things like keeping detailed records, responding via certified mail, and being specific about how your disability affects even volunteer activities are all tips I'll keep in mind. Thanks for sharing your experience and for everyone who took the time to offer their advice and reassurance. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes dealing with the stress of disability navigation so much more manageable!

As someone who's been through the SSDI work review process myself, I wanted to add that your proactive approach is exactly right. I received a similar letter about 2 years ago and initially panicked just like you did. The most important thing I learned is that these reviews are actually a normal part of SSA's quality assurance process - they're not necessarily targeting you because they suspect anything wrong. Your 10 hours of unpaid volunteer work at your child's school is well within acceptable limits and actually demonstrates responsible community engagement within your disability constraints. When I filled out my form, I made sure to include details about how my condition still limited me during volunteer activities - things like needing frequent breaks, being unable to lift heavy items, or experiencing increased pain/fatigue afterward. One tip that really helped me: in addition to the certified mail (which you're already planning), I also scanned and saved digital copies of everything before sending it. This way I had immediate access to what I submitted when I called to follow up later. The whole process took about 6 weeks for me, but my benefits continued without any changes. You're handling this exactly right by being honest and meeting their deadline. This community's support is invaluable during these stressful times!