If you receive SSI, you'll periodically get a letter from Social Security about a "redetermination." This is different from a medical review—it's a financial review to make sure you still qualify for SSI. Here's what you need to know.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What a redetermination is
- Redetermination vs. continuing disability review
- What SSA reviews during redetermination
- How to prepare
- What happens after
1. What Is an SSI Redetermination?
A redetermination is a review of your non-medical eligibility factors:
- Your income
- Your resources (assets)
- Your living situation
- Your marital status
- Other benefits you receive
It is NOT:
- A review of your medical condition
- A disability determination
- A decision about whether you're still disabled
Why they happen:
- SSI eligibility depends on financial factors
- These can change over time
- SSA needs to verify you still qualify
- Required by law at least once per year
How often:
- Usually once a year
- May be more frequent if your situation changes often
- May be less frequent for stable situations
- SSA decides the schedule
2. Redetermination vs. CDR
People often confuse these two reviews:
| Redetermination | Continuing Disability Review (CDR) | |-----------------|-----------------------------------| | Reviews finances | Reviews medical condition | | Happens yearly | Happens every 1-7 years | | For SSI only | For SSI and SSDI | | Non-medical factors | Medical factors | | Usually by mail/phone | May require medical exams |
You might have both:
- Redetermination (financial) happens regularly
- CDR (medical) happens less often
- They're separate processes
- Different letters and forms
3. What SSA Reviews
Income:
- Wages from work
- Self-employment income
- Other Social Security benefits
- Pensions
- Support from others
- Any other income
Resources:
- Bank accounts (all of them)
- Cash on hand
- Investments
- Property (other than your home)
- Vehicles (other than one)
- Life insurance
- Anything of value
Living situation:
- Where you live
- Who you live with
- Who pays for housing/food
- Any in-kind support you receive
Other factors:
- Marital status
- Citizenship/immigration status
- Whether you're in the US
- Other benefits received
4. The Redetermination Process
Step 1: You receive a letter
- Notice that redetermination is happening
- May include a form to complete
- Deadline to respond
- Contact information
Step 2: Provide information
- Complete any forms
- Gather documentation
- Respond by deadline
- Contact SSA if you need help
Step 3: SSA may contact you
- Phone interview
- Request for more documents
- In-person interview (sometimes)
- Questions about your answers
Step 4: SSA makes a decision
- Reviews all information
- Determines continued eligibility
- Calculates correct benefit amount
- Sends you a notice
Step 5: You receive results
- Letter explaining the outcome
- Any changes to your benefits
- Appeal rights if you disagree
- When changes take effect
5. How to Prepare
Before you receive the letter:
Keep records of:
- All bank statements
- Pay stubs if working
- Bills you pay
- Changes in living situation
- Other income received
Stay organized:
- Keep benefit letters
- Save important documents
- Track changes throughout the year
- Note dates of any changes
When you get the letter:
Read carefully:
- What information they're requesting
- Deadline to respond
- How to submit information
- Who to contact with questions
Gather documents:
- Bank statements (all accounts)
- Pay stubs or income records
- Rent receipts or lease
- Utility bills
- Any other requested items
Complete forms accurately:
- Answer every question
- Don't guess—verify information
- List all accounts and resources
- Report all income sources
Submit on time:
- Note the deadline
- Submit early if possible
- Keep copies of everything
- Get proof of submission
6. Common Redetermination Issues
Resources over the limit:
- If you've gone over $2,000 (or $3,000 for couples)
- Even briefly on the 1st of any month
- Can result in overpayment
- May lose benefits for those months
Unreported income:
- Wages you didn't report
- Gifts you received
- Support from family
- Can cause overpayments
Living situation changes:
- Moved in with someone
- Someone moved in with you
- Household expenses changed
- Affects benefit calculation
Not responding:
- Missing the deadline
- Incomplete responses
- Can result in benefit suspension
- Harder to fix later
7. What to Do If There's a Problem
If you disagree with the decision:
- You have the right to appeal
- Request reconsideration within 60 days
- Provide additional evidence
- Consider getting help (legal aid, advocate)
If you have an overpayment:
- You'll receive a notice
- Can request waiver if not your fault
- Can request lower repayment amount
- Don't ignore it—respond
If benefits are reduced or stopped:
- Understand why (the letter should explain)
- Provide any missing information
- Appeal if you think it's wrong
- Act quickly to minimize gap
8. Tips for a Smooth Redetermination
Year-round practices:
- Report changes within 10 days
- Keep bank balance under limit
- Save all financial documents
- Track income monthly
When it's time:
- Respond promptly
- Be thorough and accurate
- Ask for help if needed
- Keep copies of everything
Communication:
- Answer SSA's calls
- Return messages promptly
- Ask questions if confused
- Document all contacts
Get help if needed:
- Legal aid organizations
- Disability rights advocates
- Social workers
- Benefits counselors
9. Redetermination Results
Possible outcomes:
No change:
- You still qualify
- Same benefit amount
- Continue receiving SSI
- Good news!
Benefit increase:
- Your situation improved (for SSI purposes)
- Lower income or resources
- Living situation change that helps
- Higher monthly payment
Benefit decrease:
- Higher income
- In-kind support received
- Living situation change
- Lower monthly payment
Benefits stopped:
- Over resource limit
- Income too high
- Other eligibility issue
- Can appeal or reapply
How Purple Helps
Purple makes redeterminations easier:
- See your balance clearly before the 1st
- Track all your account activity
- Easy access to statements
- No hidden fees reducing your balance
- Helps you stay under SSI limits
- Simple transaction history for documentation
With Purple, you can stay organized and prepared for your SSI redetermination.