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Social Security Adjustments

Social Security Adjustments in Davenport

Social Security Claims & Appeals Have Been Our Focus Since 1992

A notice from the Social Security Administration may change an existing benefit, request additional information, or state that you were overpaid. The reason may involve work activity, income, resources, living arrangements, medical improvement, or information in the agency’s records.

What happens next depends on whether you receive Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, or both. Any payment change, suspension, termination, or collection procedure will also depend on the notice and your circumstances.

Call (563) 412-4755 to discuss the notice and whether legal assistance may be appropriate.

Changes That Can Affect Existing SSDI & SSI Benefits

After benefits are awarded, the agency may review or change them based on updated medical, financial, work, or household information.

An adjustment or post-award notice may concern:

  • Work activity: A return to work, different hours, increased pay, or self-employment income
  • Medical status: A Continuing Disability Review or reported improvement in a disabling condition
  • SSI eligibility: Changes involving income, resources, marital status, or living arrangements
  • Benefit payments: A revised monthly amount, suspension, termination, or alleged overpayment
  • Agency records: A request for documents or updated eligibility information

How to Review a Benefit Change or Agency Notice

Start with the complete notice and the agency’s stated reason for acting. Relevant records may include reported wages, medical information, household details, resource records, earlier notices, and proof of information previously submitted.

The appropriate response depends on the issue. The notice may call for reconsideration, an overpayment waiver, a repayment-rate change, a response to a medical review, or another action. Because deadlines and payment rules vary, carefully review the date and instructions printed on the notice.

Stay In The Know

  • When Should I Apply for Benefits?
    Unless you have an obvious long-term disability, the best time to apply for Social Security disability benefits is 6-9 months after you stop working.
  • When Do You Suggest I Hire a Lawyer?
    Most claimants wait until their claims are denied on reconsideration before hiring a lawyer. Most observers agree this timing works well because it is at a hearing that having a lawyer truly makes a difference.
  • When Am I Likely to Receive a Hearing?
    It can take up to two years from request until a hearing is held and a decision issued, but the time varies from state to state.

Direct Attorney Access Backed by More Than 60 Years of Combined Experience

At Bowman, DePree & Murphy, we focus solely on Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, and Veterans Disability claims and appeals. We’ve served individuals in Clinton, Muscatine, Scott, and Rock Island counties since 1992.

Clients work directly with our attorneys rather than assistants. When a qualifying Social Security case has exhausted the administrative process, we can pursue it in federal court.

Work Activity & Continuing Disability Reviews

Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries generally must report changes in work status, hours, pay, self-employment, and significant medical improvement. The agency may evaluate work under trial work rules, continuing eligibility requirements, substantial gainful activity standards, and termination procedures. Which rules apply depends on the beneficiary’s record and the regulations then in effect.

A Continuing Disability Review assesses whether a beneficiary remains medically disabled. The agency may request updated information about treatment, symptoms, daily activities, employment, and changes in health. Any response should address the questions and deadline in the review materials.

How SSI Redeterminations Address Household & Financial Changes

An SSI redetermination reviews the non-medical factors that determine eligibility and payment amounts. These may include wages, other income, resources, marital status, and living arrangements.

Redeterminations occur periodically, and the agency may conduct another review after a reported change. Because Supplemental Security Income is needs-based, household or financial information that doesn’t affect SSDI may still change an SSI payment.

Options After a Social Security Overpayment Notice

An overpayment notice means the agency believes it paid more benefits than it should have. Before responding, check the amount, the period involved, the stated reason, the proposed recovery method, and each deadline.

Possible responses address different issues:

  • Request for reconsideration: Disputes whether an overpayment occurred or challenges the amount
  • Overpayment waiver: Asks the agency not to recover the debt based on the applicable fault and financial standards
  • Repayment-rate change: Requests a different recovery arrangement when the proposed rate is unaffordable

These options aren’t interchangeable. The correct response depends on whether you dispute the debt, accept it but seek a waiver, or need a more affordable repayment arrangement.

What to Gather Before a Legal Consultation

Keep the entire agency notice, including every page and the envelope. Record when you received it and identify any deadline for submitting records, requesting review, or responding to a proposed benefit change.

Useful documents may include:

  • Earnings records, pay stubs, work schedules, or self-employment information
  • Proof that work, income, household, or resource changes were reported
  • Medical records and treatment updates requested during a disability review
  • Bank statements, household records, or resource information relevant to Supplemental Security Income
  • Earlier benefit notices, payment records, and overpayment calculations

The issue and supporting facts will determine which materials matter. Don’t discard a notice even if you believe the agency already has the information.

Get Clarity on a Change to Your Social Security Benefits

Bring the complete notice to a free initial personal consultation with Bowman, DePree & Murphy. We can review the stated change and response deadline, then determine whether the issue falls within our Social Security claims and appeals practice.

If we accept your case, you’ll work directly with our attorneys. Our no-win, no-fee policy means clients don’t pay legal fees unless they secure benefits. We serve individuals throughout Clinton, Muscatine, Scott, and Rock Island counties.

Call (563) 412-4755 to schedule your free consultation.

Hear From Our Happy Clients

See Why We Will Make a Difference for Your Case & Get You the Rights You Deserve.
    "I cannot say enough positive things about having Thad Murphy as my disability lawyer."
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    "I could never have done it again or been successful without Mr. Murphy's help.& dedication to his clients."
    I tried 10+ years to get my disability only to be told No over and over. I was frustrated, worried, and tired of trying & fighting only to be told NO yet again. A friend told me about Bowman, DePree & Murphy in Davenport. I'd heard the name in pass
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    I just like to thank you Michael Dupree for being my savior which has changed my life for the better unfortunately disability is a part now but thanks to you.
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    Mr. Murphy was able to get my disability on the first appeal and charged a very fair rate which was under the cap from my settlement of back pay from being off for five years.
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Let's Get Started

We’re here to help answer your questions. Judicial matters can be complicated, we will make it easy to understand. We take great pride in using our expertise for you and look forward to hearing from you.

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