Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73
§425 Additional rules relating to benefits based on disability
Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 7— - SOCIAL SECURITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - FEDERAL OLD-AGE, SURVIVORS, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS › § 425
Summary
The Commissioner of Social Security may stop disability-related payments under section 423 or certain payments under section 402 (including parts 402(d), 402(e), and 402(f)) if the Commissioner thinks, from information they have, that the person may no longer be disabled. Payments can be paused while the question is looked into under section 421 or until the Commissioner believes the disability has not ended. If a State is handling the review under an agreement in section 421(b), the Commissioner must tell that State and ask for a quick decision. If a worker’s disability payments are suspended for a month, payments to people who get benefits because of that worker’s earnings (under section 402(b), (c), or (d)) are also suspended for that month. The pause rule does not apply to a child who is 18 but not yet 22 for any month the child is a full‑time student. For these rules, “disability” means what section 423(d) defines. If someone is in the Ticket to Work program or an approved rehab or employment program, and the Commissioner decides finishing or staying in the program will likely help them leave the disability rolls permanently, payments cannot be stopped or paused for that reason. The Commissioner may require people applying for or getting certain monthly benefits under sections 402 and 423(a)(1) to let the Commissioner get records from payroll data providers (as defined in section 1320e–3(c)(1)). That permission stays in effect until a final unfavorable decision on benefits, the person’s benefits end, or the person cancels it in writing. The Commissioner will tell the person how long and how broad the permission is. If a person who gave permission later refuses or revokes it, they lose the protection described below. If a person did give permission, they cannot be penalized under section 1320a–8a for mistakes or omissions in the payroll provider’s wage reports.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §425
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)If the Commissioner of Social Security, on the basis of information obtained by or submitted to the Commissioner, believes that an individual entitled to benefits under section 423 of this title, or that a child who has attained the age of eighteen and is entitled to benefits under section 402(d) of this title, or that a widow or surviving divorced wife who has not attained age 60 and is entitled to benefits under section 402(e) of this title, or that a widower or surviving divorced husband who has not attained age 60 and is entitled to benefits under section 402(f) of this title, may have ceased to be under a disability, the Commissioner of Social Security may suspend the payment of benefits under such section 402(d), 402(e), 402(f), or 423 of this title until it is determined (as provided in section 421 of this title) whether or not such individual’s disability has ceased or until the Commissioner of Social Security believes that such disability has not ceased. In the case of any individual whose disability is subject to determination under an agreement with a State under section 421(b) of this title, the Commissioner of Social Security shall promptly notify the appropriate State of the Commissioner’s action under this subsection and shall request a prompt determination of whether such individual’s disability has ceased. For purposes of this subsection, the term “disability” has the meaning assigned to such term in section 423(d) of this title. Whenever the benefits of an individual entitled to a disability insurance benefit are suspended for any month, the benefits of any individual entitled thereto under subsection (b), (c), or (d) of section 402 of this title, on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual, shall be suspended for such month. The first sentence of this subsection shall not apply to any child entitled to benefits under section 402(d) of this title, if he has attained the age of 18 but has not attained the age of 22, for any month during which he is a full-time student (as defined and determined under section 402(d) of this title).
(b)Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, payment to an individual of benefits based on disability (as described in the first sentence of subsection (a)) shall not be terminated or suspended because the physical or mental impairment, on which the individual’s entitlement to such benefits is based, has or may have ceased, if—
(1)such individual is participating in a program consisting of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program under section 1320b–19 of this title or another program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services approved by the Commissioner of Social Security, and
(2)the Commissioner of Social Security determines that the completion of such program, or its continuation for a specified period of time, will increase the likelihood that such individual may (following his participation in such program) be permanently removed from the disability benefit rolls.
(c)(1)The Commissioner of Social Security may require each individual who applies for or is entitled to monthly insurance benefits under subsections (d)(1)(B)(ii), (d)(6)(A)(ii), (d)(6)(B), (e)(1)(B)(ii), and (f)(1)(B)(ii) of section 402 of this title and subsection (a)(1) of section 423 of this title to provide authorization by the individual for the Commissioner to obtain from any payroll data provider (as defined in section 1320e–3(c)(1) of this title) any record held by the payroll data provider with respect to the individual whenever the Commissioner determines the record is needed in connection with a determination of initial or ongoing entitlement to such benefits.
(2)An authorization provided by an individual under this subsection shall remain effective until the earliest of—
(A)the rendering of a final adverse decision on the individual’s application or entitlement to benefits under this subchapter;
(B)the termination of the individual’s entitlement to benefits under this subchapter; or
(C)the express revocation by the individual of the authorization, in a written notification to the Commissioner.
(3)The Commissioner of Social Security is not required to furnish any authorization obtained pursuant to this subsection to the payroll data provider.
(4)The Commissioner shall inform any person who provides authorization pursuant to this clause of the duration and scope of the authorization.
(5)If an individual who applies for or is entitled to benefits under this subchapter refuses to provide, or revokes, any authorization under this subsection, subsection (d) shall not apply to such individual beginning with the first day of the first month in which he or she refuses or revokes such authorization.
(d)An individual who has authorized the Commissioner of Social Security to obtain records from a payroll data provider under subsection (c) shall not be subject to a penalty under section 1320a–8a of this title for any omission or error with respect to such individual’s wages as reported by the payroll data provider.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–74, § 824(b)(1), added subsec. (c). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–74, § 824(c)(1), added subsec. (d). 1999—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 106–170 substituted “a program consisting of the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program under section 1320b–19 of this title or another program of vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other support services” for “a program of vocational rehabilitation services”. 1996—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–121 struck out subsec. (c) which related to nonpayment or termination of benefits where entitlement involved alcoholism or drug addiction. 1994—Pub. L. 103–296, § 201(a)(3)(A)(i), amended section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–296, § 201(a)(3)(A)(i), inserted heading. Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary” wherever appearing, “to the Commissioner” for “to him”, and “the Commissioner’s” for “his”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–296, § 201(a)(3)(A)(ii), inserted heading. Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary” in pars. (1) and (2). Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–296, § 201(a)(3)(A)(iii), added subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–296, § 107(a)(4), in subsec. (c) as added by Pub. L. 103–296, § 201(a)(3)(A)(iii), substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary” wherever appearing and “Commissioner’s” for “Secretary’s” wherever appearing. 1990—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5113(a)(1), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: “such individual is participating in an approved vocational rehabilitation program under a State plan approved under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5113(a)(2), substituted “Secretary” for “Commissioner of Social Security”. 1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–21 inserted “or surviving divorced husband” after “widower”. 1980—Pub. L. 96–265 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), made conforming
Amendments
in subsec. (a) as so designated, and added subsec. (b). 1972—Pub. L. 92–603 substituted “age 60” for “age 62”. 1968—Pub. L. 90–248 in first sentence inserted “or that a widow or surviving divorced wife who has not attained age 60 and is entitled to benefits under section 402(e) of this title, or that a widower who has not attained age 62 and is entitled to benefits under section 402(f) of this title,” after “section 402(d) of this title,” and substituted “402(d), 402(e), 402(f), or 423” for “423 or 402(d)”, and substituted in third sentence reference to “423(d)” for “423(c)(2)”. 1965—Pub. L. 89–97 inserted “The first sentence of this section shall not apply to any child entitled to benefits under section 402(d) of this title, if he has attained the age of 18 but has not attained the age of 22, for any month during which he is a full-time student (as defined and determined under section 402(d) of this title).” 1958—Pub. L. 85–840 provided that whenever the benefits of an individual entitled to a disability insurance benefit are suspended for any month, the benefits of any individual entitled thereto under subsection (b), (c), or (d) of section 402 of this title, on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of such individual, shall be suspended for such month.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2015 Amendment Pub. L. 114–74, title VIII, § 824(e), Nov. 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 610, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [enacting section 1320e–3 of this title and amending this section and section 1383 of this title] shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov 2, 2015].”
Effective Date
of 1999 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 106–170 effective with the first month following one year after Dec. 17, 1999, subject to section 101(d) of Pub. L. 106–170, see section 101(c) of Pub. L. 106–170, set out as an
Effective Date
note under section 1320b–19 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1996 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 104–121 applicable to any individual who applies for, or whose claim is finally adjudicated with respect to, benefits under this subchapter based on disability on or after Mar. 29, 1996, with special rule for any individual who applied, and whose claim has been finally adjudicated, before Mar. 29, 1996, see section 105(a)(5) of Pub. L. 104–121, set out as a note under section 405 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1994 Amendment; Sunset ProvisionAmendment by section 107(a)(4) of Pub. L. 103–296 effective Mar. 31, 1995, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 103–296, set out as a note under section 401 of this title. Pub. L. 103–296, title II, § 201(a)(3)(C), (E), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1497, provided that: “(C) Sunset of 36-month rule.—section 225(c)(7) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 425(c)(7)] (added by subparagraph (A)) shall cease to be effective with respect to benefits for months after September 2004. “(E)
Effective Date
.—“(i) In general.—Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the
Amendments
made by this paragraph [amending this section and section 426 and 426–1 of this title] shall apply with respect to benefits based on disability (as defined in section 225(c)(9) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 425(c)(9)], added by this section) which are otherwise payable in months beginning after 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 15, 1994]. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue
Regulations
necessary to carry out the
Amendments
made by this paragraph not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. “(ii) Referral and monitoring agencies.—section 225(c)(5) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 425(c)(5)] (added by this subsection) shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. “(iii) Termination after 36 months.—section 225(c)(7) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 425(c)(7)] (added by this subsection) shall apply with respect to benefits based on disability (as so defined) for months beginning after 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Effective Date
of 1990 Amendment Pub. L. 101–508, title V, § 5113(c), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–273, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section and section 1383 of this title] shall be effective with respect to benefits payable for months after the eleventh month following the month in which this Act is enacted [November 1990] and shall apply only with respect to individuals whose blindness or disability has or may have ceased after such eleventh month.”
Effective Date
of 1983 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 98–21 applicable only with respect to monthly payments payable under this subchapter for months after April 1983, see section 310 of Pub. L. 98–21, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1980 Amendment Pub. L. 96–265, title III, § 301(c), June 9, 1980, 94 Stat. 450, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this section [amending this section and section 1383 of this title] shall become effective on the first day of the sixth month which begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [June 9, 1980], and shall apply with respect to individuals whose disability has not been determined to have ceased prior to such first day.”
Effective Date
of 1972 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 92–603 applicable with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for months after December 1972, with specified exceptions, see section 107(c) of Pub. L. 92–603, set out as a note under section 402 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1968 AmendmentAmendment by section 104(d)(5) of Pub. L. 90–248 applicable with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for and after the month of February 1968, but only on the basis of applications for such benefits filed in or after January 1968, see section 104(e) of Pub. L. 90–248, set out as a note under section 402 of this title. Amendment by section 158(c)(9) of Pub. L. 90–248 applicable with respect to applications for disability insurance benefits under section 423 of this title and to disability determinations under section 416(i) of this title, see section 158(e) of Pub. L. 90–248, set out as a note under section 423 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1958 AmendmentAmendment by section 205(o) of Pub. L. 85–840 applicable with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for months after August 1958, but only if an application for such benefits is filed on or after Aug. 28, 1958, see section 207(a) of Pub. L. 85–840, set out as a note under section 416 of this title.
Effective Date
Section applicable only with respect to monthly benefits under this subchapter for months after June 1957, see section 103(a) of act Aug. 1, 1956, set out as a note under section 423 of this title. Report on Referral, Monitoring, Testing and Treatment of Individuals Where Entitlement to or Termination of Benefits Involves Alcoholism or Drug Addiction Pub. L. 103–296, title II, § 201(a)(3)(B), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1497, provided that not later than Dec. 31, 1996, the Secretary was to submit to Congress a full and complete report on the Secretary’s activities under former subsec. (c)(5) of this section, which was to include the number and percentage of individuals referred to in such provision who had not received regular drug testing since the
Effective Date
of such provision, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–33, title V, § 5525(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 625. Transition Rules for Current Beneficiaries Pub. L. 103–296, title II, § 201(a)(3)(F), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1498, provided that: “In any case in which an individual is entitled to benefits based on disability, the determination of disability was made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services during or before the 180-day period following the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 15, 1994], and alcoholism or drug addiction is a contributing factor material to the Secretary’s determination that the individual is under a disability— “(i) Treatment requirement.—Paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 225(c) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 425(c)(1)–(4)] (added by this subsection) shall apply only with respect to benefits paid in months after the month in which such individual is notified by the Secretary in writing that alcoholism or drug addiction is a contributing factor material to the Secretary’s determination and that such individual is therefore required to comply with the provisions of section 225(c) of such Act. “(ii) Termination after 36 months.—“(I) In general.—For purposes of section 225(c)(7) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 425(c)(7)] (added by this subsection), the first month of entitlement beginning after 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 15, 1994] shall be treated as the individual’s first month of entitlement to such benefits. “(II) Concurrent beneficiaries currently under treatment.—In any case in which the individual is also entitled to benefits under title XVI [42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.] and, as of 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, such individual is undergoing treatment required under section 1611(e)(3) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1382(e)(3)] (as in effect immediately before the date of the enactment of this Act), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall notify such individual of the provisions of section 225(c)(7) of the Social Security Act (added by this subsection) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. “(III) Concurrent beneficiaries not currently under treatment.—In any case in which the individual is also entitled to benefits under title XVI but, as of 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, such individual is not undergoing treatment described in subclause (II), section 225(c)(7) (added by this subsection) shall apply only with respect to benefits for months after the month in which treatment required under section 1611(e)(3) of the Social Security Act (as amended by subsection (b)) is available, as determined under
Regulations
of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary notifies such individual of the availability of such treatment and describes in such notification the provisions of section 225(c)(7) of the Social Security Act (added by this subsection).” Demonstration Projects Relating to Referral, Monitoring, and Treatment for Alcoholics or Drug Addicts Pub. L. 103–296, title II, § 201(c), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1506, related to demonstration projects relating to referral, monitoring, and treatment for alcoholics or drug addicts, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–121, title I, § 105(c), Mar. 29, 1996, 110 Stat. 855. Payment of Costs of Rehabilitation ServicesAmendment of section 422 and 1382d of this title by section 11(a), (b) of Pub. L. 98–460 applicable with respect to individuals who receive benefits as a result of section 425(b) or section 1383(a)(6) of this title, or who refuse to continue to accept rehabilitation services or fail to cooperate in an approved vocational rehabilitation program, in or after the first month following October 1984, see section 11(c) of Pub. L. 98–460, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1984 Amendment note under section 422 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 425
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73