Process

• Request the applicable form from the SSA for either an application withdrawal or existing claim cancellation. Make the request in writing and include the reason for the withdrawal. As part of the process, you receive notification of the possible benefits and disadvantages of canceling a claim, as well instruction on appealing or withdrawing your cancellation. The SSA generally requires you to agree to pay back overpayments when applicable, prior to withdrawal. Approved application withdrawals are treated as if the claim did not exist, while the SSA files withdrawals on active claims as voluntary terminations.
  
  

Benefits

• In some situations, an individual may qualify for more benefits if she filed singly rather than as a couple, due to her spouse's income or eligibility. The same circumstances may apply for a child's benefits when the parent's eligibility helps determine benefit amounts. Additionally, withdrawing a claim may benefit you when SSI income makes you ineligible for other government programs or services, such as state cash assistance, or when other government programs offer monthly aid exceeding current SSI compensation.
  
  

Drawbacks

• If you withdraw a claim after receiving SSI compensation, you may be required to repay benefits paid to you based on the initial application. Overpayments or benefits received after the SSI termination date must be repaid as well. Adversely, just as SSI income might make you ineligible for some government assistance programs, canceling SSI or withdrawing an application may result in the loss of state or federal benefits that require SSI determination as a requirement for assistance.
  
  

Considerations

• You retain the right to cancel your withdrawal if you make the request within 60 days of successfully withdrawing your claim. An exception to the 60-day rule applies when your request specifically states that withdrawal depends on approval for other benefits. For example, if your estimated retirement or disability benefits for another program are deemed higher than what you will receive with SSI, you may request a six-month delay in the withdrawal process dependent on approval for the other program.