You can refuse SSDI at any time, and the process depends on whether you're turning it down before it starts or stopping it after you've been receiving it

If you've been approved for Social Security Disability Insurance but decide you don't want the benefits, you have the right to refuse them. The way you do this differs depending on your situation: you might refuse before your first payment arrives, stop receiving benefits while keeping your work record intact, or formally withdraw your process. Social Security calls these different actions by different names, and which one you use matters because it affects your future options.

The most important thing to know is that refusing SSDI is not the same as having it taken away. You are making a choice, and Social Security will document it that way. This distinction matters if you later need to reapply.

Key Takeaways

  • You can refuse SSDI before your first payment or stop it after you've started receiving it, and both actions are reversible within certain time limits.
  • Withdrawing your process within 60 days of approval is the fastest way to refuse SSDI, but it erases your approval and you'd have to reapply from scratch if you change your mind.
  • Suspending your benefits (called a "voluntary suspension") keeps your approval on record and lets you restart without a new process, but you lose Medicare or Medicaid coverage while suspended.
  • If you refuse SSDI because you're working and earning too much, you may still owe back taxes on benefits you already received.
  • Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to start the refusal process; do not ignore notices or straightforward stop cashing checks.

Refusing SSDI before your first payment arrives

If you've been approved but haven't received your first check yet, you can refuse the benefits by submitting a written request to your local Social Security office. You can do this in person, by mail, or by phone. When you contact them, tell them you want to withdraw your process for benefits.

This action is called withdrawing your process, and you have 60 days from the date Social Security approved you to do it. After 60 days, you can no longer withdraw; you would have to use a different process (see below). When you withdraw, your approval is cancelled completely, and your process is treated as if it never went through. If you later change your mind and want SSDI again, you would have to file a new process and go through the entire approval process again.

You will need to provide your Social Security number and sign a form called SSA-521 (Request for Withdrawal of process). Social Security can mail this to you, or you can ask for it when you call or visit the office. There is no fee to withdraw.

Suspending your benefits if you're already receiving them

If you've already started receiving SSDI payments and want to stop, you have two main options. The first is called a voluntary suspension, and it is different from withdrawal because it keeps your approval active.

When you voluntarily suspend your benefits, you tell Social Security to stop sending you payments, but your case stays open and your approval stays on record. This matters because if you change your mind later, you can restart your benefits without filing a new process or going through the approval process again. You can restart at any time, though your benefits may be reduced if you've been suspended for a long time.

To request a voluntary suspension, contact your local Social Security office by phone at 1-800-772-1213, in person, or by mail. Tell them you want to voluntarily suspend your SSDI benefits. Social Security will send you a form to sign, and the suspension takes effect the month after you request it. You will stop receiving payments starting with the following month's check.

One important consequence: when you suspend SSDI, you also lose Medicare coverage (if you have it through SSDI) or Medicaid coverage (depending on your state and situation). Before you suspend, make sure you understand what health coverage you'll have instead. Some people keep Medicaid even after suspending SSDI, but this varies by state.

Stopping SSDI permanently and giving up your approval

If you want to stop SSDI and do not plan to restart it, you can ask Social Security to terminate your benefits. This is different from suspension because termination ends your case entirely. Your approval is cancelled, and if you later want SSDI again, you would have to reapply.

To request termination, contact your local Social Security office and tell them you want to terminate your SSDI benefits. You will need to sign a form, and the termination takes effect the month after you request it. Like suspension, you will lose Medicare or Medicaid coverage when your benefits end.

Termination is rarely the best choice if you think you might need SSDI again in the future, because it forces you to start over with a new process. Voluntary suspension is usually better because it keeps your door open.

What happens to your work record and future benefits

Refusing SSDI does not erase your work record or your Social Security account. Your earnings history stays on file, and the months you received SSDI (if any) are recorded. This matters because if you later become disabled again and reapply, Social Security will look at your entire work history to decide if you're still insured for disability benefits.

If you suspended your benefits, restarting is usually straightforward: you call Social Security and ask to restart, and payments resume the following month. If you withdrew your process or terminated your benefits, you would have to file a new process and go through the approval process again, which can take three to six months or longer.

If you refused SSDI because you returned to work and were earning too much money, be aware that you may still owe taxes on the SSDI benefits you received before you stopped. Social Security will send you a Form SSA-1099 at tax time showing how much you received that year. Talk to a tax professional about whether you owe federal income tax on those benefits.

Refusing SSDI because you're working or your situation changed

Many people refuse SSDI because they've returned to work and no longer need the benefits, or because their medical condition improved. If this is your situation, you have options depending on how much you're earning.

If you're working but earning below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit—which is a monthly income threshold set by Social Security—you can keep your SSDI benefits and keep working. The SGA limit changes each year; in 2024 it is $1,550 per month for most people and $2,590 for people who are blind. Even if you're earning close to this amount, you might still be able to receive some benefits.

If you're earning above the SGA limit, Social Security will eventually stop your benefits automatically. You don't have to refuse them; they will terminate. However, if you want to stop them sooner, you can request suspension or termination yourself. The advantage of requesting it yourself is that you control the timing and can plan for the loss of Medicare or Medicaid coverage.

How to contact Social Security to refuse your benefits

You have three ways to start the refusal process:

  • By phone: Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing). Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Have your Social Security number ready.
  • In person: Visit your local Social Security office. You can find the address at ssa.gov/locator by entering your zip code.
  • By mail: Write to your local Social Security office with your name, Social Security number, and a statement that you want to withdraw, suspend, or terminate your SSDI benefits. Include your signature and the date. Mail it to the address listed on any letter Social Security has sent you.

Do not straightforward stop cashing your checks or ignore notices from Social Security. If you stop receiving payments without formally requesting it, Social Security may think there's a problem with your case and may try to contact you. Formally requesting refusal prevents confusion and ensures your choice is properly documented.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refuse SSDI and then reapply later if I need it again?

Yes, but how straightforward it is depends on what you did. If you voluntarily suspended your benefits, you can restart anytime by calling Social Security—no new process needed. If you withdrew your process or terminated your benefits, you would have to file a new process and go through the approval process again, which typically takes several months.

Will refusing SSDI affect my Social Security retirement benefits later?

No. SSDI and retirement benefits are separate. Refusing SSDI does not change your work record or your future retirement benefits. Your earnings history stays intact, and you can still claim retirement benefits when you reach retirement age.

What happens to my Medicare if I suspend SSDI?

You will lose Medicare coverage when your SSDI suspension takes effect. Before you suspend, find out what health coverage you'll have instead—through a job, a spouse, Medicaid, or the marketplace. Some states continue Medicaid even after SSDI suspension, so contact your state Medicaid office to ask.

Do I have to pay back SSDI benefits I already received if I refuse?

No. Once you've received a payment, it's yours to keep. Refusing future benefits does not require you to return past payments. However, if you earned income while receiving SSDI and exceeded the work limits, you may owe taxes on those benefits at tax time.

What if I refuse SSDI but Social Security keeps sending me checks?

Contact Social Security when ready and tell them you refused your benefits. Do not cash the checks. If you cash them by mistake, contact Social Security right away to report the overpayment. They may ask you to return the money, but they will work with you on a repayment plan if you cannot pay it all at once.