How Social Security Decides if You Still Have a Qualifying Disability
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
The law requires that we review the current medical condition of all people receiving disability benefits periodically to determine if they continue to have a qualifying disability. Generally, if your health hasn’t improved, or if your disability still keeps you from working, you’ll continue to receive benefits.
Disability reviews support the integrity of our Social Security programs
These continuing disability reviews help us ensure that only eligible people receive disability benefits. It supports the integrity of the Social Security system while delivering fair services to disabled workers and their dependents, including wounded warriors, chronically ill children and adults, and other people with disabilities.
To help us make our decision, we first gather new information about your medical condition. We’ll ask your doctors, hospitals, and other medical sources for your medical records. We’ll ask them how your medical condition limits your activities, what the medical tests show, and what medical treatments you have been given. If we need more information, we’ll ask and pay for you to get a special examination or test.
You can appeal Social Security’s decision on your case
If you disagree with a decision made on your claim, you can appeal it. This means you can ask us to review your case again. When you receive a letter telling you about our decision to stop benefits, the letter will also tell you how to appeal the decision.
You can learn more by reading, How We Decide if You Still Have a Qualifying Disability.
You can check the status of your disability appeal using your personal my Social Security account. Your personal account gives you access to many tools that can save you time while keeping your information secure.
Find out more about how we help you secure today and tomorrow on our website.
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Tags: Disability, my Social Security, my Social Security account, social security disability benefits
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Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Tina L.
Ive had COPD, kidney problem, bladder problem, hearing loss, dislocated hips, shaking and problem seeing for about 20 years and am still going. I went back to work at age 61 so we could afford to live.
I am a home aid and yes I hurt and exhaust myself but I’m still going. I know what my body can handle and people say that I’m faking my medical issues. I do laundry,dishes and clean for others and also keep my house clean. Because I can still do these things and buy food and supplies I don’t qualify for disability.
I often wonder how many people do these things and still live. I hate that there’s times I can’t do things. I know when I get home from work that I should nap but there is never time. I walk our dogs and cook, clean, do laundry and dishes. When I get to bed early it’s because I’ve worked hard.
Hospitals &.
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Chris
Ok I’m ready
Clara H.
My son has been trying to get disability since 2015 in the fall and I believe he has lost all his earnings (units) he had built up. Because they now speak of SSI when he filed last year. I saw in an article a few years ago that in Tennessee they pay disability doctors to turn down applications for disability, and this state is the hardest ever get approved. They even say people have died before they still didn’t get it. , or my sister, it took her ten years with a lawyer. Oh yes, my son has had a lawyer. He has one now, he is is so much pain because of a botch-up dr’s job & job injury after 24yrs there. He has fell outside with no one out there when I wasn’t at home. We have a wooded area with snakes, lizards, dogs in packs run loose. He has had a hearing nearly 2yrs ago, Judge said, if you appeal later on I will still turn your case down. WOW. He is diabetic, going to a mental health clinic & 45yrs old….
Tammy
If I am 62 and become disabled will I be able to draw disability or will I have to take the early option of Social Security?
V.V.
Hi Tammy, thanks for using our blog. Because you are under your full retirement age, you can apply for Social Security retirement and disability at the same time. The law does not allow a person to receive both retirement and disability benefits on one earnings record so if you’re approved for disability benefits, which will be higher than your reduced retirement benefit, you would receive disability benefits. However, while the agency is making a medical decision, you may be eligible for reduced retirement benefits.
If you would like to apply, you can use our online application. This application link will work for both retirement and disability based on how you answer the questions.
If you are unable or would rather not apply online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Shelia
I have a son who is considered disabled due to RICKETTS. His bones are weak he has to take medication. He is a patient at the U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor. They cut him off of Disability and now he has to work. He hurts everyday and come home bent over. Now they are making him pay back over 15,000 he is only 24. I don’t understand this. There are people I know getting this money and there is NOTHING WRONG with them.
Susan L.
Get a lawyer Dr records.
Love and Prayers God Bless you
V.V.
Hi Sheila, thanks for using our blog. We are very sorry to hear about your son’s disability. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Harvey S.
I’ve seen people using wheel chairs standing pacing back and forth waiting for the bus, when the bus arrives sit in the chair to be let in the bus first and here’s the most UNREAL THING! The driver tell not ask others who might be disabled to move and sit some where else but he won’t tell others to give those who were sitting give up their sits cause their using canes, I seen wheelchair persons stand up lift,shove,strap wheelchair with out driver questions them about those moves. Wheelchair persons need to show disability CARDS
Yoly
I have seen the same thing , now I use a wheelchair n I have. Limitions I can stand, walk a little that doesn’t mean I can walk a mile or even pace up or down, I can’t life it either. So u need 2 be careful how u c things n say it.
Cmac
Always 2 sides to a story so do not judge
Cmc
Why does social security give raise and basically Medicare takes it away. Does not make sense
Dana
I agree thier r people right now working making 100,000 a yr and claiming they r disabled.
tracey m.
I have seizures 2xs a month and take a bus but they always ask me for a medicare card too cause i dont look disabled and can walk .
Thats b.s
Timothy C.
Before you file do an outline of all of your medical problems and the dates that you first occur them. Second, get all your medical records. SSA will order them, but when you file attach them all. As you have time , read them for self to find anything left out. Then talk to your doctors and tell them you are filling.
Overload the SSA , they hire a third party to outsource the work. Mine was in Kansas. No detail is to small. Keep a spiral notebook for everything you can think of and all conversations you have with the SSA. They will call for a phone interview. Make it long, hours. If you get tired, tell them to setup another call to complete the process. Do not rush.
No detail is to small to be left out. Details make a difference in determining a decision!!!!
Karen
I know a person who has parlayed workman’s comp into SSI .Got a settlement from workman’s comp. Is on unemployment, works for her sons for cash under the table. Has received all her stimulus checks and is now on her 3rd vacation this year. She has done quiet well since pandemic started.
Karen
Or sorry this is Social Security Disability.
Lisa G.
I have been fighting in NY state for 5 years for disability. I have had an attorney for almost 3 of those years. I have 3 autoimmune diseases and PTSD . I have no way to bring in any income .I have sold possessions, moved in with family and buy nothing for myself. It is such a depressing existence having a chronic illness and having to beg the state is so wrong. I have worked since I was 14 yrs old , lived in NYC for 22 years. I paid into the disability fund and I desperately need to be helped. I have just written to Senator Schumer , I tell everyone I can to bring awareness. The system is broken
Michelle J.
I agree. I have to be sedated to go in public and have viable neck and back problems and a mound of evidence yet they said I could walk scaffolding and be a bottle reader though I have glaucoma. Good luck to you .
Kathy S.
Take Disability to court , and find out why they refuse to help you , ,,,,,May sound funny , but may work ,,,,
EXODUS J.
I TOTALLY AGREE 💯💪 WITH YOU ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I’VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR MY DISABILITY FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS AS WELL , AND BEEN TURNED DOWN MY OF TIMES ,MY HEALTH IS AVERAGE BUT ON A DAY BY DAY BASIS I AM MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY NOT ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH MY IMMUNE DEFICIENCY DISORDER HIV AND MENTAL ILLNESS , COPING WITH AMOUNT TO SEVERE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN MY LEFT ARM AND ARM AND WRIST IS JUST KILLING ME AND I’M ABOUT TO HAVE SURGERY ON THAT YOU KNOW AND I’VE BEEN PUSHING AND TRYING TO GET THESE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND I’M UNABLE TO WORK MY HEALTH IS I WANT TO SAY IS THAT IT’S BEST BUT IT’S FAIR AND I WANT TO KEEP IT LIKE THAT BECAUSE IT SEEM LIKE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS WHEN YOU SICK AND YOUR BODY IS DOWN AND OUT AND WORK FOR THE PAST 20 SOMETHING YEARS SO I GOT LIKE 27 YEARS OF WORK EXPERIENCE AND I JUST HAD LOST ABOUT I THINK FOUR OR FIVE POINTS TO GET MY SOCIAL SECURITY BUT THEY SAID I CAN ALWAYS GO BACK AND GET A PART-TIME JOB YOU KNOW HELP OUT TO GET THOSE CREDIT POINTS FOR MY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS YEAH SO THAT’S WHY I’M WITH NOW ON SEPTEMBER SUPPOSED TO BE THE DATE AND TIME IT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A DECISION MADE SO HOPEFULLY IT’LL BE APPROVED AND I FINALLY GET MY MONEY WELL GOD BLESS AND I HOPE TO HEAR THE SAME AS WELL HOPE EVERYTHING WORKS OUT FOR YOU SO YOU GET YOUR DISABILITY GOD BLESS 🙏🙏💕☮️🕊️ LOVE 💕 MY PRAYERS 🙏🙏 AND HOPE TO YOU AMEN , THANKS 😊 FOR LISTENING TO MY STORY EXODUS JACKSON
Marion
I have been fighting for SSDI since 2017. I just turned 62. Between that time and now, I have used any and all savings. Had to sell or give away all my furniture and other items, move in with family and get medicaid for my LITERAL life saving medications. I am tired and severely depressed because of this, and just filed for early retirement. It is a loss of almost $600 a month, but ANY income after 4yrs. I will gladly take. I did not plan to become disabled. I worked 60hr weeks. I lost my home and became a beggar for funds I have paid into since 14yrs old. It is disgusting.