Cessation refers to a discontinuation of benefits for a person who was once thought eligible to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.

In most instances, disability recipients are ceased and taken off benefits when they no longer meet Social Security's medical or nonmedical program requirements.

In the case of nonmedical requirements, a cessation could result from a change in a recipient's income. Or, if the recipient was receiving SSI, a cessation might be due to a change in a recipient's assets, or resources.

To maintain eligibility for ssi, a needs-based program, disability recipients cannot have more than $2,000.00 in countable assets.

Countable assets can include motor vehicles other than an individual's primary vehicle, liquid funds in savings and checking accounts, cash value in life insurance policies, and the value of a home in which an individual is not residing (perhaps a vacation property or a home that was inherited).

In the case of medical requirements, a cessation will generally occur when a recipient is no longer be thought to be medically eligible for disability benefits, i.e. no longer disabled. This type of decision is generally made at the conclusion of a CDR, or continuing disability review.

As in the case of denials, recipients who are ceased and taken off benefits have the right to pursue an appeal, which must be filed within 60 days of the date of the cessation.

However, to continue receiving benefits while a case is being appealed, a recipient must also request a continuation of benefits. This request is separate from an appeal and must be made within 10 days of the date of the cessation.