Your First Payment and Account Setup

Once the Social Security Administration approves your SSDI claim, you will receive a notice in the mail stating your benefit amount and your start date. This notice, called the "Notice of Award," tells you when your first payment arrives and how much you will receive each month. Read it carefully — it also lists any work incentives you may be may have access to to use.

Before your first payment, you must choose how to receive it. Social Security no longer mails paper checks; you must use direct deposit to a bank account, or enroll in a prepaid debit card called the Direct Express card. Direct deposit is faster and more find. To set it up, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or create an account at ssa.gov and link your bank details there.

Your SSDI account is now active. You can check your payment history, view your benefit amount, and update your contact information by logging into your my Social Security account online. This is also where you report changes that might affect your benefits — a new address, a new job, or a change in your medical condition.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first SSDI payment arrives by direct deposit or prepaid card, and the Notice of Award tells you the exact date and amount.
  • You must report changes to Social Security within 30 days, including new work, a move, or changes to your medical treatment.
  • SSDI has work incentives that let you earn money and keep some or all of your benefits — you do not automatically lose benefits if you work.
  • Social Security will review your case periodically to confirm you still meet the disability rules; the frequency depends on whether your condition is expected to improve.
  • You remain on Medicare or Medicaid while receiving SSDI, even if you return to work under certain conditions.

Reporting Changes to Social Security

Social Security requires you to report certain changes within 30 days. The most common ones are: you start working, your income changes, you move to a new address, you marry or divorce, a family member in your household moves out or moves in, or your medical treatment changes. Failing to report these changes can result in an overpayment — money you have to pay back — or a suspension of your benefits.

Report changes by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting your local Social Security office, or logging into your my Social Security account and updating your information there. Keep records of what you reported and when. If you work, you must report your earnings each month through the Social Security Work Incentives Planning Project (WIPP) or by calling the work incentives phone line at 1-866-YOUR-PLAN (1-866-968-7526).

Some changes do not affect your benefits at all — for example, receiving money as a gift, inheriting property, or getting a tax refund. Social Security only counts earned income (money you make from work) and unearned income (such as interest, dividends, or rental income). If you are unsure whether something counts as income, ask before you report it.

How Work Incentives Let You Earn and Keep Benefits

SSDI includes several work incentives designed so you do not lose all your benefits the moment you earn a paycheck. The most commonly used is the Trial Work Period, which lets you work and earn any amount for nine months without losing any benefits. These nine months do not have to be consecutive — they can be spread across 60 months. After your Trial Work Period ends, you enter the Extended may be able to access period, during which you can continue working and keep your benefits as long as your earnings stay below a certain level (called Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA).

Another option is Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which lets you deduct certain costs related to your disability from your earnings before Social Security counts your income. For example, if you need a personal assistant to help you get to work, or special equipment, those costs can be deducted. This can lower your countable earnings and help you keep more of your benefits.

A third option is the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a specific work goal — such as paying for school, buying a car to get to a job, or starting a business. Money in your PASS plan does not count against your benefits. To use any of these, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to speak with a work incentives specialist.

Medical Reviews and Continuing Disability Reviews

Social Security does not assume your disability is permanent. Depending on your condition, the agency will schedule a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) to confirm you still meet the disability rules. If your condition is expected to improve, your first review may happen within 6 to 18 months. If your condition is not expected to improve, your first review may not happen for three to seven years. Social Security will mail you a form asking about your medical treatment, work activity, and current symptoms.

You must complete and return the CDR form within the important date stated in the letter. If you do not respond, Social Security may stop your benefits. If you have had medical treatment, surgery, or a significant change in your condition since you started receiving benefits, include that information. You can also submit recent medical records from your doctor to support your case.

If Social Security decides your condition has improved and you no longer meet the disability rules, they will send you a notice explaining the decision and telling you how to request a hearing if you disagree. You have the right to appeal any CDR decision through the same appeals process used for initial denials.

Medicare and Medicaid While on SSDI

When you start receiving SSDI, you become covered by Medicare after 24 months of receiving benefits. Medicare is federal health insurance that covers hospital care, doctor visits, and prescription drugs. You do not have to do anything to enroll — Social Security will automatically add you to Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) after 24 months.

Some people also receive Medicaid, which is state health insurance for people with low income. Whether you get Medicaid depends on your state and your income level. In some states, receiving SSDI automatically qualifies you for Medicaid. In others, you must have income below a certain threshold. Contact your state Medicaid office to learn about you are covered.

If you return to work and your earnings increase, you may lose Medicaid but keep Medicare. Social Security has a work incentive called Medicaid Continuation that lets you stay on Medicaid for a period of time even if your earnings are too high. Ask your local Social Security office about this option if you plan to work.

Managing Your SSDI Account Online

Your my Social Security account is the fastest way to handle routine tasks without calling or visiting an office. You can view your payment history, check your benefit amount, change your address, update your direct deposit information, and read a benefit verification letter (useful for proving your income to a landlord or lender). You can also view your Social Security Statement, which shows your earnings history and estimates of what you might receive in retirement.

To create an account, go to ssa.gov and click "Create an account." You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a driver's license or passport. Once you are logged in, bookmark the page so you can return to it easily. If you forget your password, you can reset it using your email address.

If you have questions about something you see in your account, or if you notice an error in your payment history, call 1-800-772-1213 and have your account information ready. Social Security's phone lines are busiest early in the month and on Mondays and Tuesdays; calling mid-week or later in the month usually means shorter wait times.

What to Do If Your Benefits Stop or Change

If Social Security stops your benefits or reduces your payment amount, you will receive a notice in the mail explaining why. Common reasons include: you reported work income that exceeded the limit, you did not complete a Continuing Disability Review, you failed to report a required change, or Social Security determined your condition has improved. Read the notice carefully — it will tell you the effective date of the change and your right to appeal.

You have the right to request an appeal within 60 days of receiving the notice. The appeal process has four levels: reconsideration (Social Security reviews your case again), hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. At the hearing level, you can bring a representative — a lawyer, a non-lawyer advocate, or a trusted family member — to help you present your case. Many representatives work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win.

If you believe the change was made in error, call Social Security when ready at 1-800-772-1213. If you need help understanding the notice or preparing an appeal, contact your state's Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program, which offers free legal help to SSDI recipients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while receiving SSDI?

Yes. SSDI includes work incentives that let you earn money without losing all your benefits. Your first nine months of work (the Trial Work Period) do not affect your benefits at all, no matter how much you earn. After that, you can continue working as long as your earnings stay below the Substantial Gainful Activity limit, which changes each year.

What happens if I get married or have a child while on SSDI?

Marriage does not affect your SSDI benefits — they are based on your own disability, not your marital status. If you have a child, that child may be able to receive benefits on your record as a dependent. You must report the birth within 30 days. Contact Social Security to learn about your child qualifies.

Do I have to pay taxes on my SSDI benefits?

Most people do not pay federal income tax on SSDI benefits. However, if you have other income (such as wages or interest), part of your benefits may become taxable. Social Security will send you a form each year showing how much you received. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure whether you owe taxes.

What if I move to another state?

Your SSDI benefits follow you — they do not change if you move. You must report your new address to Social Security within 30 days. You can update your address online through your my Social Security account, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office in your new state.

Can I receive SSDI and SSI at the same time?

No. SSDI and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) are separate programs. SSDI is based on your work history; SSI is based on low income and resources. You receive one or the other, not both. If you are receiving SSDI and your income drops, ask Social Security whether you might also may have access to for SSI.