If you receive Supplemental Security Income, you'll periodically face something called a redetermination—a review where Social Security checks whether you still qualify for benefits. Getting that letter in the mail can feel stressful, but understanding what Social Security is looking for and how to prepare can make the process much smoother.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What a redetermination is and why it happens
- The difference between redeterminations and Continuing Disability Reviews
- What information Social Security will ask for
- How to prepare your documents and records
- What happens after the redetermination
- Common issues that come up—and how to handle them
What Is a Redetermination?
A redetermination is Social Security's way of verifying that you still meet the non-medical eligibility requirements for SSI. Unlike a Continuing Disability Review (CDR), which examines whether you're still medically disabled, a redetermination focuses on your financial situation—your income, resources, and living arrangements.
Social Security conducts redeterminations regularly because SSI eligibility depends on factors that can change over time. Your resources might increase if you receive an inheritance. Your income might change if you start working. Your living arrangement might shift if you move in with a partner. The redetermination process catches these changes to ensure benefits are going to people who still qualify.
Most SSI recipients face a redetermination every one to six years, though the frequency can vary based on the likelihood that your circumstances might change. You might also trigger a redetermination if you report a significant change, like a new job or a move.
Redetermination vs. Continuing Disability Review
Many people confuse redeterminations with Continuing Disability Reviews, but they're examining different things. A CDR looks at your medical condition to determine if you're still disabled according to Social Security's definition. It involves medical records, doctor's statements, and an evaluation of your functional limitations.
A redetermination, by contrast, isn't questioning whether you're disabled—it's confirming that your financial situation still qualifies you for SSI. You could be permanently disabled and still face redeterminations, because Social Security needs to verify you're still under the resource limit, your income hasn't pushed you over eligibility thresholds, and your living situation hasn't changed in ways that affect your benefit.
Understanding this distinction matters because it tells you what to focus on when preparing. For a redetermination, you're gathering financial documents, not medical records.
What Social Security Will Ask For
During a redetermination, Social Security typically asks about several categories of information. First, they'll want to know about your income—any money you've received from work, self-employment, pensions, annuities, or other sources. They'll ask about earnings in recent months and may request pay stubs or tax documents.
They'll also ask about your resources. This includes bank account balances, cash on hand, investments, life insurance policies with cash value, property you own, and vehicles. Remember that SSI has a $2,000 resource limit for individuals and $3,000 for couples, so they're checking whether you remain under these thresholds.
Your living arrangements matter too. Social Security needs to know where you live, who you live with, whether you pay rent or contribute to household expenses, and whether anyone provides you with free food or shelter. Living arrangements affect your benefit amount because receiving free room and board can reduce your SSI payment under the "in-kind support and maintenance" rules.
Finally, they'll ask about changes since your last review. Have you gotten married or divorced? Had any changes in household composition? Received any gifts or inheritances? Started or stopped working? Any of these can affect your eligibility or payment amount.
How to Prepare for Your Redetermination
When you receive a redetermination notice, start gathering documents right away. You'll typically have a deadline to respond or schedule an appointment, and being prepared makes the process much less stressful.
Collect your most recent bank statements for all accounts—checking, savings, and any other accounts in your name. If you have joint accounts with someone else, bring documentation of those too, along with an explanation of whose money is in the account. Social Security may count joint account balances as your resource unless you can prove the funds belong to someone else.
Gather any documentation of income you've received, including pay stubs if you've worked, records of any benefits from other programs, and documentation of any cash gifts or financial help from family or friends. If you've received an inheritance or settlement, bring those documents as well.
Prepare information about your living situation. Know your address, your landlord's name if you rent, how much you pay for rent and utilities, and who else lives in your household. If your housing costs have changed, be ready to explain why.
Finally, review your records for anything unusual that might raise questions. Large bank deposits, even if they were quickly spent, may need explanation. Periods where your resources briefly exceeded the limit could be an issue. Being ready to address these proactively is better than being caught off guard.
What Happens During and After the Review
Redeterminations can happen by mail, phone, or in-person interview, depending on your situation and Social Security's procedures. For straightforward cases, you might simply complete a form and mail it back with supporting documents. More complex situations may require a phone call or office visit.
If you meet with someone from Social Security, answer questions honestly and completely. Bring all your documents organized and be prepared to explain anything that looks unusual in your records. If you don't know the answer to a question, say so—don't guess.
After the review, Social Security will send you a notice explaining the results. There are several possible outcomes. They may determine nothing has changed and your benefits continue as before. They may adjust your benefit amount if your income or living situation has changed. In some cases, they may determine you're over the resource limit or otherwise ineligible and move to suspend or terminate benefits.
If your benefits are reduced or terminated and you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal. The appeal must be filed within 60 days of receiving the notice. In many cases, you can also request that your benefits continue during the appeal process, though if you lose the appeal, you may have to repay those benefits.
Common Issues and How to Handle Them
Several issues frequently come up during redeterminations. One is exceeding the resource limit, even briefly. If your bank account went over $2,000 at any point, Social Security may determine you were ineligible during that period. If this happens, be ready to explain the circumstances—sometimes brief spikes due to timing of bill payments or deposits can be explained successfully.
Unreported income is another common problem. If you did odd jobs for cash, received money from family, or had any other income you didn't report, the redetermination may uncover it. It's better to proactively disclose unreported income and explain the oversight than to have Social Security discover it and treat it as intentional concealment.
Living arrangement discrepancies can also cause issues. If Social Security believes you're receiving free room and board that you didn't report, they may reduce your benefit retroactively. Be accurate about who pays for what in your household.
If your redetermination uncovers problems, don't panic. Social Security has processes for addressing overpayments, including requesting a waiver if repayment would cause hardship. The key is to respond promptly, provide requested information, and seek help from a benefits counselor or advocate if you're facing a complex situation.
Staying on top of your SSI requirements shouldn't feel overwhelming. Purple helps SSI recipients track their resources and manage their finances with accounts designed specifically for people navigating benefit rules.