How We Review Your Disability Benefits
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: April 14, 2016
When you receive disability benefits, Social Security will periodically conduct a review of your condition to make sure you still qualify for blind or disability benefits. With the right information, you can be prepared when this happens.
When your case comes up for review, we’ll send you a letter asking you to come to your local Social Security office. We’ll ask you about how your medical condition affects you and whether it’s improved. We’ll also ask you to bring information about your medical treatment and any work you have performed since Social Security decided you were disabled.
A disability examiner from your state’s Disability Determination Services will request reports from your medical providers, and will carefully review all the information in your case. If the medical evidence is not complete or current, we may ask you to have a medical exam at no cost to you.
Social Security conducts a disability review of your case approximately every three years depending on the nature and severity of your medical condition and whether it’s expected to improve. If we don’t expect improvement, we’ll review your case every seven years.
When we conduct a disability review, if we find that your medical condition hasn’t improved and is still preventing you from working, you’ll continue to receive benefits. Your benefits only stop if the evidence shows your medical condition has improved and you are able to work regularly.
If you disagree with our decision, you can appeal and ask us to look at your case again. When we notify you of our decision, we will explain how you can appeal that decision.
You can visit us online for more information, or read our publication What You Need to Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits.
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Tags: Disability
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Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
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Ana
Benefit Application Under Review
A medical decision has been made and we are working to process your benefit application. A Social Security Representative may contact you directly if we need any additional documents or information.
Jacquelyn D.
Greetings, How can I get a copy of how long my remaining social security awards will continue?
darlene p.
what to do about ssi continuation review if you have no way possible to get to the office lady said shed set me up a phone apt but no one ever called. iv been calling night and day for 2 weeks and no answer just hang on for hour and half at a time then call back, they no longer give call backs if i lose my ssi il be homeless im 61 have no job nothing in my situation has changed what could i do? jax fl
V.V.
Hi Darlene, we are sorry you are having difficulties getting through to your local office for your SSI review. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. They can assist with communicating information to your local office.
Gerald W.
I need my award letter from 1991. How can I get a copy mailed or emailed to me?
R.F.
Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. One of our representatives may be able to help you.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Debbie S.
My husband is receiving disability. I applied for him in Jan 2016. When is he eligible for medicare? His cobra ran out Sept 1, 2018.
R.F.
Hello Debbie. Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those who have disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure.
If your husband is receiving disability benefits (SSDI), he will receive Medicare after he’s received disability benefits for 24 months. We start counting the 24 months from the month you were entitled to receive disability, not the month when you received your first check.
Please visit http://www.Medicare.gov for general information on Medicare services.
For further assistance, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
greg
I’m TRYING to get add’l. forms to complete a disability review, the forms are NOT available and seeing a person at local office is impossible due to my disability and call hold times avg. 1 HOUR plus. Can anyone help me????
R.F.
Hello Greg. We understand that a medical review can be stressful, and we are sorry you had difficulties trying to contacting us. When calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, you may experience shorter wait times, if you call later during the day or later in the week. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We hope you try again.
Dean W.
I need a letter stating when years wise my next review will be for my student loans. They said it needs to say something like next review is within_____ years. last review was in _____ year.How do I get this document? thank you
V.V.
Hi Dean: To request a detailed letter related to your medical reviews, you will have to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
scott s.
I am a disabled OIF / OEF veteran with an 80 percent permanent and total but rated at 100 percent with individual unemployability. I also receive SSDI and recently had a reevaluation done. The office I went to was not a reputable looking office it was a very dirty and strange place to have an office. I looked up the therapist and she has only been in practice for just under 2 years. I gave her my paperwork explaining my individual unemployability and my medications that I take for my ptsd and other health issues. two days later I received papers from the social security office that my benefits would be stoping due the evaluation claiming that I was fine to return to work. I immediately appealed it but was told that my rating from the department of veterans affairs has nothing to do with my SSDI evaluation. I was told that they were 2 separate government agencies and are not binding to one another. I am rated at 100 percent permanent and total with individual unemployability. I was medically retired from the service for this problem after 8 yrs of service to the untied states army. I don’t understand how social security can say I don’t need benefits wen the department of VA says I am not allowed to return to work. I asked about the issue when I appealed I also turned in paper work from the VA for proof of my rating and was told all I could do was to wait for the appeal to be answered. Everything I have researched only explains filing for benefits not trying to keep them. not sure what I should do here since getting a lawyer can be very expensive….any answers
V.V.
Scott, we thank you for your service and are sorry to hear about your frustration. If you haven’t already done so, you may request your appeal online. In some cases, you may ask for your benefits to continue while we make a decision on your appeal. You must tell us within 10 days of the date you receive the denial letter; however, if your appeal is turned down, you may have to pay back any money you were not eligible to receive. We use a five-step process to determine if you are still disabled.
Beatrice L.
I need help to obtain my SSA award letter online. where do I go on the web site to see it and print it . I need help with this.
Thanks,
R.F.
Hello Beatrice. If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security (SSI) Income or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your my Social Security account. Thanks!
Joanne T.
I have been waiting over 3 months to determine if I receive SSI disability I was told by a judge that it should take 3 months to make a decision. As of yesterday August 4th it was 3 months. I need help determining if I will be eligible for disability
R.F.
Hello Joanne. The length of time it takes to get a formal decision after a hearing can vary from state to state. We attempt to resolve all claims promptly, but there may be delays due to the volume of pending appeals in your area. Please continue working with your local hearing office on specific questions about your case. Thanks.