If you receive SSI, you'll eventually get a notice that it's time for a redetermination. This can trigger anxiety—will they take away your benefits? The good news is that a redetermination isn't a medical review of your disability. It's a financial check-in to make sure you still meet SSI's income and resource requirements. Understanding what to expect and how to prepare can make the process much less stressful.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What an SSI redetermination is (and isn't)
- How often redeterminations happen
- What information you'll need to provide
- How to prepare for your redetermination
- What happens after the review
- Common mistakes to avoid
What Is an SSI Redetermination?
A redetermination is Social Security's periodic review of your non-medical eligibility for SSI. They're checking whether you still meet the program's financial requirements—specifically, whether your income and resources are still within the allowed limits.
This is different from a Continuing Disability Review (CDR), which examines whether you still meet the medical definition of disability. Redeterminations focus purely on the financial side: how much money you have, what income you receive, your living situation, and other factors that affect your SSI eligibility and payment amount.
During a redetermination, Social Security will verify your income (from work, other benefits, or any other source), your resources (bank accounts, property, investments), your living arrangements (where you live, who you live with, whether you pay your share of expenses), your marital status, and any other changes that might affect your benefits.
The goal is to ensure you're receiving the correct SSI amount—not too much, not too little—based on your current circumstances.
How Often Do Redeterminations Happen?
Social Security conducts redeterminations on a schedule, but the frequency varies. Most SSI recipients have a redetermination at least once every few years. Some factors that affect timing include how stable your situation appears (if you have consistent circumstances, reviews may be less frequent), whether you've reported changes recently, whether previous reviews found issues, and your state and local office workload.
You'll receive a notice by mail when it's time for your redetermination, along with instructions on how to complete it. Some redeterminations are done by mail, others by phone, and some require an in-person interview at your local Social Security office.
The notice will tell you what format your redetermination will take and what information you need to gather.
What Information You'll Need to Provide
Social Security will ask for documentation of your financial situation. Having these items ready will make the process smoother:
Bank statements for all accounts (checking, savings, any other accounts) covering recent months. Social Security may ask for several months of statements.
Income documentation including pay stubs if you work, benefit award letters if you receive other benefits, documentation of any other income (gifts, contributions from others, rental income).
Living arrangement information such as your lease or rental agreement, documentation of household expenses (rent, utilities, food), information about who lives with you and whether they contribute to expenses.
Resource documentation including vehicle registration/title if you own a car, documentation of any property you own, statements for any investments, retirement accounts, or other financial accounts.
Proof of any exclusions like ABLE account statements, documentation of burial funds, proof that resources are excluded for other reasons.
If you're unsure whether something is relevant, it's better to have it available than not. Social Security will tell you specifically what they need based on your situation.
How to Prepare for Your Redetermination
Respond promptly. When you receive the redetermination notice, don't ignore it or put it off. Failing to respond can result in suspension of your benefits. Note any deadlines and mark them on your calendar.
Gather your documents early. Don't wait until the last minute to collect bank statements and other paperwork. Give yourself time to request documents you don't have on hand.
Review your own records. Before the redetermination, think through any changes in your situation since the last review. Have you moved? Changed jobs? Opened new accounts? Had any changes in household members? It's better to identify these yourself than to be surprised when Social Security asks.
Make sure your resources are in order. If your bank balance has crept up close to or above $2,000, address that before the redetermination. You don't want to be over the resource limit when Social Security checks.
Be honest and complete. Redeterminations catch many people who haven't reported changes they were supposed to report. If you realize you forgot to report something, it's better to be upfront about it now than to have Social Security discover it and treat it as unreported.
Ask for help if needed. If you have trouble understanding the forms or gathering documents, ask a trusted family member, social worker, or benefits counselor for assistance. Social Security offices can also answer questions, though wait times can be long.
What Happens After the Review
After Social Security reviews your information, you'll receive a notice explaining the outcome. There are several possible results.
No change: Your circumstances still qualify you for the same SSI amount you've been receiving. No action needed.
Benefit amount changes: Your SSI payment increases or decreases based on changes in your income, resources, or living situation. The notice will explain the new amount and when it takes effect.
Overpayment determination: Social Security may find that you've been receiving more benefits than you were entitled to, perhaps due to unreported income or resources. You'll receive an overpayment notice explaining how much you owe and your options (appeal, request a waiver, set up a repayment plan).
Benefits suspended or terminated: In some cases, Social Security may find you're no longer eligible for SSI—for example, if your resources are too high or your income exceeds the limit. The notice will explain why and your right to appeal.
If you disagree with any determination, you have the right to appeal within 60 days of receiving the notice. If you think there's been an error, don't just accept it—request a reconsideration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not responding to the notice. This is the biggest mistake. If you ignore a redetermination request, Social Security will suspend your benefits.
Forgetting about accounts. Some people forget to mention a savings account they rarely use, or a joint account with a family member. Social Security can find these through data matching with financial institutions. Report all accounts.
Not reporting changes throughout the year. Redeterminations often uncover changes that should have been reported when they happened. Ongoing reporting isn't just a rule—it prevents big overpayments and surprises at redetermination time.
Being over the resource limit. If your bank account is over $2,000 on the day Social Security checks, you're over the limit. Monitor your balance and spend down if needed before the first of the month and before your redetermination.
Providing incomplete information. If Social Security asks for three months of bank statements and you only provide two, they'll come back asking for more—delaying the process. Provide everything requested the first time.
Panicking. A redetermination notice is not an accusation or a sign you're about to lose benefits. It's a routine review. If your situation hasn't changed dramatically and you've been reporting properly, you'll likely sail through.
Staying compliant with SSI rules is much easier when you can see your finances clearly. Purple's checking account is built for SSI recipients, helping you track your resources and income so redeterminations are just a formality—not a source of stress.