If you have applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security tells you that you need to complete a PERC, you may be wondering what that means—and whether it is a good sign for your disability claim.
PERC stands for Pre-Effectuation Review Contact.
A PERC is a review that Social Security may conduct after a disability claim has been medically approved to make sure the claimant meets the non-medical requirements for SSI and that Social Security has the information it needs to determine whether benefits can be paid.
In other words, a PERC is generally about the financial and household side of SSI eligibility, rather than deciding whether your medical condition is disabling.
What Does PERC Stand For?
PERC stands for Pre-Effectuation Review Contact. It is a review that the Social Security Administration (SSA) may conduct after a disability claim has been medically approved to verify that the claimant meets the non-medical requirements for SSI and that the SSA has the necessary information to determine whether benefits can be paid.
Purpose of a PERC
A PERC primarily focuses on the financial and household aspects of SSI eligibility, rather than the medical determination of disability. It reviews factors including:
- Your income
- Your resources
- Your living arrangements
- Who lives in your household
- Who pays for your housing expenses
- Changes in your circumstances since you applied
- Other information that could affect your SSI eligibility or payment
Social Security’s procedures require certain information to be documented and verified during the PERC process.
How Is a PERC Different from a Disability Interview?
No. This is an important distinction.
A medical disability determination evaluates whether you meet the SSA’s definition of disability.
A PERC focuses on non-medical eligibility factors, particularly those that matter for SSI, which is a needs-based program. In addition to meeting the disability requirements, an SSI claimant generally must have limited income and limited resources.
Unlike SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), which is based on work history and Social Security taxes paid, SSI eligibility hinges on financial and household criteria; understanding the Social Security Disability Insurance application process can help you see how the programs differ.
Does a PERC Mean My Disability Claim Was Approved?
A PERC usually follows a favorable medical determination, but it is not the same thing as receiving a final SSI payment decision.
If Social Security has asked you to complete a PERC, there may already have been a favorable medical determination on your disability claim. The agency may then need to verify information related to your SSI eligibility before benefits can be put into payment status.
However, you should not assume that a PERC automatically guarantees that you will receive SSI benefits.
Your eligibility can still depend on factors such as your income, resources, living arrangements, and other SSI requirements.
Why Does Social Security Need a PERC?
SSI has strict financial and household eligibility requirements that can affect both qualification and benefit amounts. The SSA considers:
- Countable income
- Countable resources
- Living arrangements
- Certain household circumstances
- Other sources of support or income
Social Security may also need to verify financial accounts and other resources before processing an initial SSI allowance.
This is why the PERC process can be an important final step between a favorable disability determination and the payment of SSI benefits.
What Questions Are Asked During a PERC?
Living arrangements
Social Security may ask:
- Where do you currently live?
- Do you live alone or with others?
- Who lives in your household?
- Do you rent or own your home?
- How much is your rent or mortgage?
- Who pays your rent or mortgage?
- Who pays your utilities?
- Have you moved since you applied?
Your income
You may also be asked about income you receive, including:
- Wages
- Self-employment income
- Social Security benefits
- Pensions
- Unemployment benefits
- Interest or investment income
- Money received from other sources
Not every dollar or asset is necessarily treated the same way under SSI rules, so it is important to answer questions accurately rather than trying to determine on your own what Social Security will or will not count.
Your resources
Social Security may also review your financial resources.
Resources can include things such as:
- Bank accounts
- Cash
- Stocks or bonds
- Certain property
- Other countable assets that may count toward SSI’s resource limits
What Documents Might You Need for a PERC?
Social Security may ask you to provide documentation supporting the information you give during the PERC.
Depending on your situation, this could include:
- Lease or rental agreement
- Rent receipts
- Mortgage information
- Utility bills
- Bank account information
- Information about other financial accounts
- Pay stubs or other proof of income
- Information about household members
- Other documents relating to your living arrangements or financial circumstances
Social Security’s own guidance lists proof of living arrangements, household information, household costs, medical information, and work history among the types of information applicants may need to provide during the SSI process.
What Happens During a PERC Interview?
A PERC may be completed through contact with Social Security, including a telephone interview.
The Social Security employee conducting the PERC will ask questions based on the information that needs to be verified or updated.
The goal is to make sure Social Security has an accurate picture of your circumstances before determining your SSI payment eligibility.
You should answer the questions truthfully and completely.
If something has changed since you originally applied—such as your address, household, income, bank accounts, or living situation—tell Social Security about the change.
If you are unsure how a particular circumstance affects SSI, provide the accurate information rather than guessing what answer Social Security wants to hear.
What If My Circumstances Changed After I Applied?
Report any changes such as moving, new household members, income changes, or new bank accounts. Changes do not automatically disqualify you but must be evaluated.
What If I Don’t Have Much Money in My Bank Account?
Tell Social Security what you actually have.
SSI has resource rules, but not everything you own necessarily counts as a countable resource.
For example, Social Security generally excludes a person’s home if it is their principal place of residence, and certain vehicles and personal belongings may also be excluded.
Social Security also has specific rules for verifying financial accounts and other resources during the initial SSI payment process.
Don’t leave out an account simply because you believe the balance is too small to matter.
Providing complete information allows Social Security to apply the appropriate rules to your circumstances.
Can a PERC Delay My SSI Benefits?
Yes, the PERC is a critical step before benefits are paid. If additional information or documentation is needed, processing may be delayed. Prompt responses help avoid delays.
What If I Miss My PERC Interview?
If you miss a scheduled PERC appointment, contact Social Security as soon as possible. Do not simply assume that the appointment no longer matters.
A missed appointment can create additional delays if Social Security still needs information from you to complete the eligibility review.
If you are working with a disability representative, you can also let your representative know that Social Security contacted you about a PERC.
PERC vs. SSI vs. SSDI: What’s the Difference?
These terms can get confusing, so here’s a simple breakdown:
SSI — Supplemental Security Income
A needs-based disability program for people who meet Social Security’s disability, income, resource, and other eligibility requirements.
SSDI — Social Security Disability Insurance
A disability program generally based on a person’s work history and insured status.
PERC — Pre-Effectuation Review Contact
A Social Security review used in certain SSI claims to verify non-medical eligibility information before payment is finalized.
A person can sometimes qualify for both SSI and SSDI, depending on their circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About PERCs
What does PERC stand for in Social Security?
PERC stands for Pre-Effectuation Review Contact. It is a review Social Security uses in certain SSI claims to verify non-medical eligibility information before benefits are finalized.
Is a PERC a good sign?
A PERC generally occurs in connection with a favorable disability determination, but it is not itself a guarantee of SSI payment. Social Security still has to determine whether you meet the program’s non-medical eligibility requirements.
Does everyone who applies for SSI have a PERC?
No. The type and extent of PERC development can vary depending on the claim and the information already available to Social Security.
Is a PERC for SSDI or SSI?
PERCs are primarily associated with SSI eligibility and payment development. They address non-medical factors that are important to SSI.
What happens after a PERC?
Once Social Security has completed the necessary non-medical development, it can continue processing the claim toward the appropriate payment determination. The timing can vary depending on the circumstances and whether additional information is needed.
What should I do if Social Security schedules a PERC?
Take the appointment seriously. Gather information about your income, resources, household, and living arrangements, and answer Social Security’s questions accurately.
Need help understanding your Social Security Disability claim?
At Parmele Disability Advocates, we help people navigate the Social Security Disability process from application through appeal. Contact us to discuss your individual situation and determine how we may be able to help you obtain the benefits you deserve.