Thank you very much for providing FREE service to the community. Can a person withdraw an application for Social Security Disability during an application process and/or after the person has been approved for disability? Any deadlines for withdrawal? Should a form SSA-521 to be used to initiate the withdrawl (whether a person withdrawing before or after the approval)? After the withdrawal -- can the application for Social Security disability be reinstated, if my circumstances have changed? Thank you

Hi,

Yes, you can withdraw an application for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits either before or after your claim is adjudicated, but if you've already received any benefit payments you would have to refund those benefits in full as a condition for approval of your withdrawal request.

There is no time limit for requesting withdrawal of a claim for SSDI benefits. An SSA-521(https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-521.pdf) is the designated form for making withdrawal requests either before or after adjudication.

You're allowed to cancel a withdrawal request up to 60 days after the withdrawal request is approved. After that time, your original claim could not be reinstated. Your only recourse at that point would be to reapply for benefits.

Best, Jerry