Disability, General, Online Services

How We Review Your Disability Benefits

April 14, 2016 • By

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Last Updated: April 14, 2016

Picture of a man on crutchesWhen 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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About the Author

Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications

Comments

  1. Tia J.

    Thanks for including all the essential information.

    https://nootheme.com/forums/users/tinumoriya/

  2. Charnice J.

    I need assistance with finding a lawyer who will a Who will Help with my case on my son Behalf Due to my financial stress

  3. Edmund B.

    I see nothing regarding disability payments from the veterans administration and how it might affect my social security.

    • A.C.

      HI, Edmund. Thanks for your comment. You may be getting our disability programs confused. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, on the other hand, are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. If you are receiving SSDI, your income and resources would not affect your benefits. For more information on the difference between Social Security disability and SSI, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  4. judith A.

    I have been on hold for 30 minutes. My Part B benefits changed. I a on the MAP program. My review is not due for months. I want to know why this has changed since the only thing that has changed is my address. Please get back to me about this.

    • A.C.

      Hi, Judith. 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 7:00 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. We hope this helps.

  5. Ruben s.

    Mi nombre es Ruben Sanchez
    El nombre de mi esposa es Hortencia Sanchez
    Las cantidades que estamos recibiendo por nuestra pension son irregulares>
    Por el mes de Febrero Yo Ruben recibi $586
    Hortencia recibio $587
    Marzo Ruben recbio $179
    Hortencia recibio $181
    Abril Ruben recibio $450
    Hortencia recibio $452
    Mayo Ruben recibio $450
    Hortencia recibio $ 452
    Por que tanta irregularidad, nuestra pension no esta llegando en forma regular y completa. Falta dinero para completar los $586 para Ruben y los $587 para Hortencia. Por favor revisar esto. Si desean les enviare los numeros de nuestro SS. Gracias.

  6. Gene M.

    The Social Security office is not very customer friendly with only one office for the Tampa office with four days 9-4 and one day 9-noon . Most people can’t make it down there to assist people who are need to of Social Security and having only one office makes it very difficult for people with no transportation to take a bus down there during the day especially with those hours. Took off work on Wednesday to take my wife at noon and that would be the day the closed early. Either they need more office throughout the Riverview/Brandon/Bradenton area or longer hours. The main reason for this email is we filed a report with the office March 25, 2019 on behalf of my of my wife to request to get back her part B back since she was never told when she dropped it originally that she would also be pulled from our Tri Care medical plan and now she has no way to receive medical or medicine because no one has forwarded the letter for review as of the last time we check this past week. The Social Security Office seem to have their own agenda to help who and when they want to help certain individuals. We will continue to keep trying to find out if the letter has reached the appeals desk but this is no way for a government agency to be ran. Sign concern tax payer..

    • V.V.

      Gene, we sincerely apologize for your inconvenience and we understand your frustration. Our field offices are open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Every Wednesday at noon, offices are closed to the public so that employees have time to complete current work and reduce backlogs. Many of our services are conveniently available anytime at our website. We also have representatives available at our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

      Unfortunately, and for your security, we do not have access to your information in this venue. We recommend that you continue to work with your local Social Security office to get this matter resolved.

  7. SHEENA M.

    Thank You. (smile)

  8. Daphne G.

    Thanks for explaining that reviews will be conducted every three or seven years, depending on whether or not improvement is expected. My husband and I want to help his aunt apply for social security disability, so we’ve been doing some research about the application and review process online. I’m glad I read your article because now I have a much better idea of what to expect throughout the process. https://rgglaw.net/practice-areas/social-security-disability/

  9. Lesly F.

    in opinion pro bono cases have to get consideration from any ssa’s party either any authority of the Goverment.

  10. Lesly F.

    i don’t understand if ssa ask a persone who working earning 40 and that persone been sick and earning 25 an 40 earning why there can’t have any benefits from ssa.that ssa law need to change is not fare is an opinion !

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