When Social Security ends or reduces your SSI or SSDI for non-disability reasons

Social Security must tell you in writing before it reduces or stops (terminates) your benefits.

You can fight their decision to reduce or terminate your benefits by asking for (requesting) reconsideration. See "Can I appeal the termination?" below.

• You can keep getting benefits, and in the same amount, from Social Security after the termination date in the notice if you request reconsideration within ten days of the date on the notice.

It must say:

• Why Social Security is reducing or terminating your benefits.
• When they will do so.  
• What to do if you do not agree. 

Yes, by asking for reconsideration.

You fill out a Request for Reconsideration form from your Social Security Office, get one online, or file an appeal on the Social Security Administration's website.

• You must make this request within 60 days of the date on the notice or have a good reason to make a late request. To keep getting the same benefits while Social Security decides the appeal, you must request reconsideration within ten days of the date on the notice.

Yes.

The request for reconsideration form has three appeal options:

1. Case Review: a Social Security representative reviews all evidence in your file and any other evidence you give them.
2. Informal Conference: you can review your file, give Social Security more evidence, and give testimony in a casual meeting.
3. Formal Conference: a formal chance to present your case before a Social Security representative.

You can review your file and give Social Security more evidence. Do this as soon as you can.

Contact your local Social Security office to set up a time to look at your file.  Visit their website to find the contact info for your local office. 

Then, decide what information might help Social Security change its decision. Give them that information. You may have a relative, friend, or lawyer help you review your file, get more evidence, and/or represent you at your reconsideration conference.

You can ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).  You must do so within sixty days of the date you got the denial notice from Social Security. 

You can file your hearing request at your local Social Security office or fill it out and send it by certified mail it to your local Social Security office. 

The form number is HA-501. You can download it or file an appeal online.

The hearing will happen many months after you ask for it.  The ALJ will let you know when the hearing date is at least 75 days beforehand. 

If you have more evidence, you should give it to the ALJ or let the ALJ know about your evidence generally at least five business days before your hearing.

If you do not do this in time, generally you must have a good reason for your lateness, such as:

• A physical, mental, or educational limitation
• Circumstances beyond your control

Yes. Generally, you must let the ALJ know at least ten business days before the hearing that you want the ALJ to make (issue) a subpoena.

A subpoena is a written order requiring a witness to come to a hearing to give testimony. The subpoena will have the information about the hearing date, time and place so your witness will know when and where to go.

If the witness needs to take off from work to come to your hearing, they can show the subpoena to their employer.

You can have someone like a lawyer or an experienced paralegal represent you. You can also represent yourself. Generally, represented people do better.

If you want a lawyer with experience in Social Security claims, contact your local bar association or the National Organization for Social Security Claimant Representatives for a referral.

If you represent yourself at your hearing, you must get a copy of your hearing file. The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) will send you a letter when your file is ready for your review.

Call the 1-800 number listed at the top of the letter to schedule an appointment to copy the file at the hearing office.  

As your hearing date gets closer, make a list of what you want to tell the judge and what you want your witnesses to tell the judge.  

The ALJ will mail you a written decision within a few months. If the decision is not good for you, it will tell you how to appeal it to the Appeals Council.