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
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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jerry b.
i currently was diagnosed with ADHD and depression, could i qualify for SSI if i apply??
P.H.
Hi Jerry. We are sorry to hear about your condition. Disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more. To get SSI, you must be disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old and have “limited” income and resources. Check out our Understanding SSI web page for details. You may also find our listing of impairments useful. If you think you are disabled, you can file for disability online.
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.
Roy K.
My name is Roy Gentry I’ve just been denied disability by a judge I’m homeless for 2years now sleeping on the sheets I have mental health issues and I take meds that help but the side effects are bad the judge in my case had zero concern about the homeless situation I spoke with aids in his office weekly I also have hearing loss in his ruling my doctor’s statements meant nothing even considered some of which I had a chance to read this judge ruled on some issues that were not a factor he seems to be very concerned about the attorney I dismissed and said she would be paid if I won I’m 61 years old bad health and homeless yet for 2 years I’ve waited only to be overlooked non of my doctors can understand his actions its very clear im not being judged fairly not one person in that office was concern about anything in my favor I’ve been hung up on more than once I’ve been misled by people in his office this judge contacted the prison that I was at years ago during that time disability wasn’t an issue but he didn’t address my doctors notes Im sure a wont be alive much longer my nights are sleepless wondering why would the government not care about its people appeal is last option only in vain
A.C.
Hi, Roy. We are sorry to hear about your condition and situation. You can file an appeal online by visiting our Appeal A Decision web page. You can also file an appeal by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contacting your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Paul
If someone started to receive regular Social Security Benefits after full retirement age, and were still working, but then became disabled, and unable to work, can they then received disability benefits?
Roy K.
Ann Thanks for the good vibe and much-needed advice but sadly, I feel I’m doomed and there no way out I guess I shouldn’t feel this way but there’s nothing left for me one man has taken most of the life I have left and he probably could care less about this old black dude how can a person sleep when they enjoy the pain of others
Dead m.
I feel bad saying this but I see how a person could walk into a building and unload a gun on people see how just a crazy thought come into play I guess I’ll just give up because this worrying is killing me
Gary F.
I know how and what others are going through. I have been disabled and handicapped for almost 10 years prior to being disabled I found out that I was a diabetic type 2 and my supervisor at my job noticed that I looked glassy-eyed and sent me home to make an appointment with my primary physician and it was a good thing that I did I found out that I had and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and my blood sugar was over 400 and I could have went into a diabetic coma and not even know it but I talked to a nurse there and she explained to me all about it and I was put on medicine and received a glucose meter to check my blood sugar and how and when to check it and a few months later we were notified that we were going to be losing our jobs and this was right after Christmas in January and on Friday the 13th of 2012 and they couldn’t tell us when we would be unemployed bit they told us a month later and stated by law that companies and factories had to give their employees a 60 day notice by law and some departments shut down at the end of April of 2012 and I had to have a check up and a colonoscopy in March of that year and found I had rectal cancer but it was caught in the early stages and o had to take s leave of absence at the end of March and shortly o had to endure radiation and chemotherapy treatments and I had to have surgery on the 13th of August of 2012 and I had to endure more chemo treatments which I was not notified about and i completed all but 3 of them but the next to my last treatment I had a bad reaction to the chemo and it was a stinging in my upper left hand corner below my collarbone where I had a port that was put in me surgically for my chemo but prior to that I received chemo and radiation treatments every few weeks for my chemo but for my radiation treatments I had to go for 5 days a week for 6 weeks to have a low dose of radiation right above my genitals and ever few weeks I had to have my chemo and I went upstairs for the chemo treatments for a few months every few days starting out and I had to say for about 5 hours or it depends on when your chemo treatments were completed from your IV drip and then I would find home my sister one of them next to my youngest sister and our mom escorted ne to my treatments mainly my chemo out mom went with me to have my radiation treatments because it was only for a few minutes a day for 6 weeks and then I finally had my cancer surgery on the 13th of August of 2012 and then I had to several weeks later endure some more chemo treatments and I had to wear s ostomy bag for several months and it was a hassle especially trying to get it to fit a d have a seal where it didn’t leak and I had complications from it not fitting a and I called everyday to have a nurse to come trying to help me and our mom to get it fit but it took a while to get the patches abd stickers to find a right fit but finally after a while it worked and I was relieved when I went to my surgeon for a checkup and he said that in a few weeks the bag would be removed and I was happy because it was more aggravating and upsetting trying to get and move about with it especially because when I had to go out and it was located right above my genitals on my right side to the right of my navel and I had to wear a belt and a seat belt when I went out and I had to be careful because I didn’t want it to be tight around my abdomen and well I had complications because of what I’d been through like I had excessive diarrhea and I couldn’t enjoy eating because of what I endured with my chemo and radiation treatments and surgery but I made the best of it but a lot of times I had to be careful when I went out because j was afraid that I’d mess on myself and a few times I did but I exited wherever I was if I get like I was going to lose control of my bowels of have a spell where I knew that I would mess on myself well I’ll explain more later on but I had 2 more health issues!
Amy A.
So 3 years during covid cause a worker at SSA lost paperwork they approved me still no benefits why???
A.C.
Hi, Amy. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call. We hope this helps.
Shirley S.
I had a few stents in and triple heart bypass few years ago now my heart Doctor say i have 100 💯 percent blockage in one my artery he won’t do surgery cause he said i wouldn’t make it through the surgery, How can i get totally disability,Also how much will get a month to live on
John
It’s is based on your past income, you get a certain percentage of you wages
A.C.
Hi, Shirley. We are sorry to hear about your condition. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. Disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to result, end in death. You may find our listing of impairments useful. If you think you are disabled, you can file for disability online. Finally, you can create a my Social Security account to review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record, and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. We hope this helps!
David W.
I have moved and need to update my address, can you help?
P.H.
Hi David, thanks for using our blog. If you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability, you can create a personal my Social Security account to change your address online. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you should contact your local office immediately. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for additional details on how to change your address. We hope this helps.
Penny S.
Covid stopped me from working in march 2020, no income until we were called back in June 2020.
4 months no income. No umployment.
Stimulus yeah went to catching up on Bill’s.
Than in Juy 2020, I had a bad accident and fell of a deck.
I broke my Tibia & fibula and dislocated my ankle.
My first surgeon said he wasn’t sure I’d ever be able walk again.
I wasnt able to walk for over 6 months, physical therapy was on and off, because I had to have a 2nd surgery, than my wound wouldn’t heal it was so deep, I was 1 later from exposing my hardware. I was put on a wound vac, for months unable to go to physical therapy.
Today I can’t move my foot in all directions, I’ve lost range of motion due to not being able to attend physical therapy.
I have neve damaged, arthritis, I actually still have a bone out of place,
My Depression and anxiety are overwhelming.
And I’m begging Churches And Organizations to help me, I’ve gotten some help, 450.00 which went to the Treasure.
I’ve had to ask for SER to help pay my consumers Bill and water Bill as I have nothing NO INCOME.
Bottom line I’m never going to be the same again, Dr has told me I’d never be able to go back to my profession
I’m now headed to a university, possibly looking at a 3rd surgery.
Today I don’t sleep much, I cry all the time. I wasnt just physically hurt, I’m also emotionally and financially devastated.
I haven’t had income for 1 year and 1 month, nothing, other than Stimulus which only payed bills I owed.
I about ready to lose my home because it’s know in foreclosure.
So now my hurt, I’m broke and I’m gonna be homeless,
Because Disability can’t make a discussion, and while I’m here with nothing, losing, everything because I’m not able to work orders from my Dr, I couldn’t anyway, to much pain swelling, and surgery to go though
By the time they do make a discussion I’m afaird I’ll lose everything.
This is so wrong, its inhumanity, and it’s cruel to put people though this.
Taking them years, months to make a discussion, while I suffer.
To the extent of having to ask and take bottles back to buy some gas for my car.
American people shouldn’t have to live like this.
It wrong. I need help and noone cares.
Joy
Try getting a disability attorney. They helped me in time of need and don’t charge unless you win.
ROBERT B.
Liar. My social security does not provide medical revue updates.
Tracy H.
I haven’t had one either. They requested all md appointments from 2017 to 2019 but when I sent it back to them they stated they decided not to re evaluate me at that time….nothing since….
Priti J.
I have undergone surgery for cancer.
I was working as pharmacist Assist at CVS.
I had to leave the job because I cannot undertake/ tolerate the strain of working as such. I am not aware of the process of assistance from you SSI. I tried t set up
my social security account but did not succeed. Can you help me please?
priti0418@yahoo.com
P.H.
Hi. We are sorry to hear about your condition. Social Security pays disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually within the last 10 years). The SSI program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. If you think you may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, you can use our online application.
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.
Linda
Wrong! I was denied and then denied again when I went through my appeal. I had doctors, even the ones Social Security sent me to, say I was unable to work at my current job. Social Security sent me a letter stating, basically, that they could see that while I had a lifetime issue that I was still able to work a sit down job, part-time for minimum wage. I would have made about $500 a month after taxes.
That’s not even enough for rent somewhere!
John
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