Once you are approved for disability benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, you will have to undergo a "pre-effectuation review conference" (PERC) with the Social Security Administration (SSA). PERCs are conducted before payments can begin to make sure that you are still financially eligible for benefits and to update any other information as needed.

You will usually get a notice in the mail about your PERC about a month after you have been approved for benefits. If you are scheduled for a PERC, your benefit payments cannot begin until it is complete, though there are some exceptions to this rule (below).

Limited Versus Full PERC

There are two types of PERCs: limited and full.

Full. Most PERCs are full. At these meetings, the SSA will document any changes to your case that could affect your eligibility. Any claims other than those entitled to a limited PERC (discussed below) will require a full PERC.

Limited. A limited PERC is one that is confined to reviewing just a few issues. Limited PERCs are used only in the following types of claims where it is important to expedite payment to the beneficiary:

• TERI claims (those involving terminal illness)
• blindness claims
• presumptive disability claims (where the SSA provides temporary benefits while a claim is being decided—these are available only to clients with qualifying medical conditions)
• compassionate allowance claims (based on certain medical conditions that are serious and usually easy to prove), and
• claims where approval is likely under the “grids” (generally only available for people over aged 55 and older).

You can contact the SSA to determine whether your claim will require a full or limited PERC meeting.

What to Bring to Your PERC Review

You need to bring proof of your financial status to your PERC review. Here are examples of documents you may need:

• recent bank statements (checking and savings accounts)
• lease agreements
• mortgage payment information
• deed to any property (like your home)
• car payment information
• title to any automobiles (or boats)
• information about food stamps or other financial assistance
• loan documents, and
• tax returns.

You should also bring evidence of your living arrangements. If you are living with someone else, you should bring that person to corroborate your statements about your living arrangements. For example, if you live with your sister and pay rent to her, it will be helpful to have her with you. This way the SSA has additional evidence to prove you are paying rent (if you are staying with someone rent-free, you could receive lower benefits). If the person you live with cannot attend the PERC meeting, you should bring a statement signed by that person that explains the living arrangements and whether or not you are required to contribute to living expenses.

When Disability Payments Can Begin

Generally payments cannot begin until your PERC review is completed and the SSA has concluded you are financially eligible for SSI payments. However, in the following scenarios, payment of benefits can begin even if the PERC review isn’t complete.

• The SSA believes you aren’t physically or mentally capable of managing your benefits but is still trying to make a final determination about your competence.
• The SSA has concluded that you aren’t physically or mentally capable of managing your benefits but you still don’t have representative payee.
• Sixty days have elapsed since your claim was approved by an administrative law judge (ALJ).

If You Miss Your PERC

If you miss your PERC, your disability benefits will be delayed and the SSA may close your case entirely. This is because your claim cannot be paid until your eligibility is verified. The SSA may close your claim if:

• you don’t respond to the PERC form you are sent (called Form SSA-L8009-US, Request for Information/Evidence)
• you fail to return calls to the SSA about your PERC
• you fail to go in for a scheduled PERC meeting, or
• you fail to return a signed PERC document.

Contact the SSA

Its vital that you attend your PERC and that you comply with any requests the SSA makes of you regarding documentation of your finances. If you have questions about the PERC, you should contact the SSA directly. You can call the SSA toll free at 800-772-1213 Monday through Friday. If you want to talk to someone in person, you can find your local field office here. Make sure you call the SSA before going to your field office to see if you need an appointment.