Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly payments and medical coverage to people who are unable to work. Although obtaining approval is complex—70% of applications are rejected in the first evaluation—maintaining the benefit requires meeting key requirements. The Social Security Administration (SSA) can suspend payments if critical changes in the beneficiary’s situation are not updated, and you should know about them in case you are required to do so, and you are not doing so on time.
Those who receive SSDI face an additional challenge: avoiding having their deposits suspended because, due to their conditions, they cannot work, so their economic income at home may depend on insurance money. Beyond the financial loss, being removed from the program means restarting an extensive bureaucratic process.
These are the top five reasons why the SSA could stop benefits and measures to prevent it, according to official protocols and social rights experts.
Updating personal data: priority to continue receiving SSDI
The SSA handles millions of cases, so any mismatches in personal information can result in automatic suspensions. Changes in address, telephone number, marital status or last name must be notified immediately. “Life is busy, but reporting these changes is the responsibility of the beneficiary,” the rules state. Simple omissions, such as not updating an address, result in delays or loss of profit.
Communication with SSA can be done online, by phone, or at local offices. Although the process seems cumbersome, it is considered vital to ensure continuity of service. Beneficiaries interviewed in specialized forums agree: “A late notification can cost months of procedures to restore payments.”
Do you have income? Some of them could make you lose SSDI
Additional income, whether from work, investments, or a spouse’s salary increases, must be reported. The SSA cross-checks data with the IRS and employers, so hiding earnings carries risks. In 2025, theSubstantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,620 per month, and $2,700 for people who are legally blind. Exceeding these amounts puts eligibility at risk.
Working overtime, even without exceeding the SGA, must also be reported. “SSDI is designed for those who cannot maintain regular employment. Any change in work capacity must be evaluated,” federal regulations explain. The SSA conducts periodic reviews, but self-declaration speeds up adjustments and avoids penalties.
If you change bank accounts, you must do this with the SSA
Modifying bank accounts without informing the SSA is a common mistake. Deposits sent to closed accounts bounce, triggering preventative suspensions. “SSA does not investigate the reason; it only stops payments until the beneficiary updates the data,” officials warn. This applies both to openings in new entities and to changes within the same bank.
The solution is simple: notify the new account through the my Social Security platform, calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting an office. Users recommend doing it “at least two weeks before the next deposit” to avoid setbacks.
If you need help from another person, you must submit a form
Beneficiaries who require assistance managing their funds must designate a representative. If this changes—due to death, disability, or conflicts of interest—the SSA must be informed immediately. The new person in charge, whether a family member, friend or institution, must comply with ethical and legal requirements to avoid mismanagement.
The designation is updated by submitting the SSA-11 form and identification documents. “Delay in this process can freeze payments until the suitability of the representative is verified,” warn lawyers specialized in social rights.
SSA offers three ways to update data: online through my Social Security, by phone, or in person. The digital option is the fastest, but requires creating an account with identity verification. Those who prefer telephone assistance should prepare for long and uninspiring waits, especially during peak times.
