Social Security suddenly terminated my SSDI after working - how long for appeal and provisional benefits?
I've been getting SSDI payments for almost 12 years and last month (November) they completely cut me off because I apparently exceeded my work hours/income threshold. I wasn't even given a warning! I immediately submitted all the paperwork for an appeal and requested reinstatement of my benefits. I also applied for the provisional payments while they review my case since I really can't make it without that income. Does anyone know how long this process usually takes? I'm starting to panic because I have bills due and no idea when or if I'll see another payment. Has anyone gone through the reinstatement process recently?
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Diego Castillo
been there. the ssa is a MESS with this stuff. took me 5 months to get provisional pay. good luck
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Ruby Knight
•5 MONTHS?? I can't wait that long! Did you have to keep calling them or did they eventually just start paying you again?
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Logan Stewart
The Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) process typically takes 3-5 months for a decision, but provisional payments should begin much sooner - usually within 1-2 months of your request if you meet the criteria. Provisional payments can last up to 6 months while they review your case. Make sure you've completed Form SSA-371 (Request for Expedited Reinstatement) and that you've clearly documented why you believe your medical condition still meets disability criteria. Did they send you a notice explaining why they determined you exceeded SGA (Substantial Gainful Activity)? The 2025 SGA amount is $1,550/month for non-blind individuals.
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Ruby Knight
•Thank you! Yes, I got a letter saying I went over SGA for 3 consecutive months. I thought I was still under the limit but I worked some overtime shifts I didn't plan for. I did fill out the SSA-371 and my doctor wrote a letter saying my condition hasn't improved. Do I need to keep calling them to check on the provisional payments or will they just start automatically?
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Mikayla Brown
My cousin had the same thing happen and she got provisional benefits in like 3 weeks but then had to wait 4 months for the full decision. Every case different tho
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Sean Matthews
Did you report your earnings every month? I'm on SSDI too and I'm terrified of this happening to me. I work part-time and always stay under the SGA but I'm constantly worried they'll cut me off without warning too.
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Ruby Knight
•I reported quarterly like my caseworker told me to. But I had a few months where I picked up extra shifts (my condition was more manageable then). I honestly thought I was still under the limit but apparently not. The worst part is they didn't even warn me!
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Ali Anderson
You need to keep pushing SSA for those provisional payments. They won't automatically start in many cases even though they're supposed to. Here's what I recommend: 1. Call the SSA every 7-10 days to check on status 2. Keep documentation of every contact (date, time, who you spoke with) 3. Contact your Congressional representative's office if it goes beyond 30 days 4. Make sure your medical evidence clearly shows you still meet disability criteria The Expedited Reinstatement decision itself can take 3-6 months, but provisional payments should begin much sooner. You get 6 months of provisional benefits while they decide your case. Also, are you aware of the Trial Work Period (TWP) and Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)? If you've been on SSDI for 12 years, you should have been informed of these work incentives that might have prevented termination.
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Ruby Knight
•Thank you for the detailed advice. I think I used up my TWP years ago when I first tried going back to work, but then had to reduce hours. I'll definitely keep calling and documenting everything. The local office hasn't been very helpful whenever I call.
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Zadie Patel
The problem with calling SSA is that you'll spend HOURS just trying to get through to someone!!! I had to get reinstated last year and spent literally 6-7 hours on hold multiple times only to get disconnected. SO FRUSTRATING!!!! I started using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. Saved me so much time and stress! They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU
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Ruby Knight
•This is so helpful, thank you! I've been hanging on the phone for hours too and it's exhausting. I'll definitely check out that service. Did you eventually get your benefits reinstated?
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Zadie Patel
•Yes! It took about 4 months total for the final decision, but I started getting provisional payments about 6 weeks after applying. The key was being able to actually TALK to someone who could check on my case. Once I could get through regularly, things moved along much faster.
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A Man D Mortal
just wondering but did u try the reconsideration thing too or just the expedited reinstament? when they cut me off i did both cuz i wasnt sure which was right. ended up getting back pay too for the months they missed
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Logan Stewart
•This is an important point. Reconsideration and Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) are two different processes. Reconsideration is an appeal of the termination decision, while EXR is for when you've been terminated but your medical condition still meets disability criteria. You can do both simultaneously, but they have different forms and timelines.
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Diego Castillo
anybody else notice how they NEVER warn you before cutting benefits?? happened to me too. no letter nothing just stopped. makes me so mad
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Sean Matthews
•This is my biggest fear!! They're supposed to send notices before terminating but so many people say they just suddenly stop the payments. The whole system is so stressful for people who are already dealing with disabilities!
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Ali Anderson
To better understand your timeline, did you receive a notice about exceeding SGA before the payments stopped, or did you only find out when the payment didn't arrive? Also, did you submit your appeal within 10 days of receiving the notice? That can affect whether you receive continuation of benefits during the appeal versus having to wait for provisional payments.
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Ruby Knight
•I got the notice about a week after the payment was supposed to hit my account. So I was already panicking wondering where my money was before I even knew why it stopped. I submitted everything within 5 days of getting the notice but they still haven't started the provisional payments. It's been about 3 weeks now since I submitted everything.
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Ali Anderson
•OK that helps clarify. Since you didn't appeal within 10 days of the initial determination (which would have been impossible since you got the notice late), you'll need to rely on the provisional payment process rather than continuation of benefits during appeal. At 3 weeks, I would definitely recommend calling SSA at least twice weekly and specifically ask about the status of your provisional payments. Ask to speak with a supervisor if the representative can't give you specific information. Document each call with date, time, and who you spoke with.
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Ruby Knight
Update: I finally got through to someone at SSA after being on hold for 2 hours. They said my provisional payments should start within the next 2-3 weeks and that my case has been assigned to an examiner for review. Feeling a bit relieved but still worried about making it until then. Thanks everyone for the advice and support!
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Mikayla Brown
•Thats good news! Hope it comes through fast for you
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