Understanding Supplemental Security Income Redeterminations -- 2024 Edition

REDETERMINATIONS


WHAT IS A REDETERMINATION?

We review your non-medical eligibility factors (i.e., income, resources, and living arrangements) to determine whether you are still eligible for and receiving the correct SSI payment.

If you are married or you are a disabled child under age 18 living with your parent(s), we also review the income, resources, and living arrangements of your spouse or parent(s).

NOTE We also do a disability redetermination using the adult disability rules when a child attains age 18. See our chapter on CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEWS.

WHEN DO WE CONDUCT A REDETERMINATION?

We redetermine eligibility and benefit amounts of most recipients once every 1 to 6 years.

When you report a change that affects eligibility or payment (for example, marriage), we may review your record for other factors of eligibility such as income, resources, and living arrangements.

HOW DO WE DO A REDETERMINATION?

There are three ways that we do a redetermination:

    small blue and black arrowtelephone;

    small blue and black arrowin person; or

    small blue and black arrow mail.

For telephone and in-person interviews, we send a letter telling you that we will call you on a certain date and time, or ask you to come into the local Social Security office for a redetermination.  Our staff will fill out the forms during the interview based on information you give them. If you have a representative payee, we will send the appointment letter to your representative payee.

If you are unable to keep the scheduled appointment, call us. We will make a new appointment that is more convenient for you.

If we do your redetermination by mail, we will send you a redetermination form for you to complete, sign, and return.

If you have a representative payee, he or she must complete and sign the redetermination form for you.

If you need help completing a redetermination form you receive in the mail, call us or visit your local Social Security office. Our staff will help you fill it out.

RESPONDING TO THE APPOINTMENT LETTER OR THE REQUEST TO COMPLETE FORMS

You have 30 days to:

    small blue and black arrowrespond to the appointment letter;

    small blue and black arrowcomplete and return the form; or

    small blue and black arrowtell us that you cannot keep the appointment or are having trouble filling out the form.

NOTEIt is to your advantage to respond to our requests as soon as possible.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THE APPOINTMENT LETTER OR COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM?

If you do not respond, you may:

    small blue and black arrowhave your payments stopped;

    small blue and black arrowbe overpaid; or

    small blue and black arrowbe underpaid.

If you lose SSI eligibility, you may lose Medicaid eligibility based on getting SSI.

DOCUMENTS YOU MAY NEED FOR REDETERMINATION

    small blue and black arrowpay stubs or income tax returns;

    small blue and black arrowproof of other income you receive (pensions, annuities, unemployment compensation, worker's compensation, etc.);

    small blue and black arrowsavings account, checking account, or other bank statements;

    small blue and black arrowlife insurance policies;

    small blue and black arrowburial contracts;

    small blue and black arrowProof of other resources (savings bonds, vehicles, property, trusts, etc.); and

    small blue and black arrowhousehold receipts and bills to show your monthly expenses (lease, utilities, etc.).

NOTEWe may not need all of these documents. If a document is necessary, we will tell you what you need and help you get it.
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