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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Mehedi
It is really a nice and helpful piece of information 😉
Ruth G.
On the social security site it says you can get disability and social security benefits both. Would you please let me know how to do this as I was on disability and then they switched me to social security. I’ve been working about 20 hours a week but can’t do it anymore .
L.A.
Hi Ruth. Please note that for your security, we do not have access to your personal information in this forum. Please call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to make an appointment with the local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Gene L.
why does it take so long to recieve back pay?
L.A.
Hi Gene. We apologize, but your concerns are a bit more complex than we can address in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. If you are receiving Social Security benefits, we ask that you continue to work with your local Social Security office on specific questions about your case. You can also call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00am and 7:00pm. We hope this helps
Francis J.
I’ve bee a tax paying citizen all my life but now circumstances have changed and I’m falling between the cracks. Somebody adopt me or help.
Merlene K.
I have been waiting for hearing for social security disability and it finally got set up July 26 for my hearing but that day the judge canceled and I have heard nothing I dont understand what the hold up is
A.C.
Hi, Merlene. We are sorry to hear this. 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 is resolved soon.
Thalia S.
If you are receiving SSD and turn 65, do you have to begin drawing straight SS? Can you opt to wait until age 70?
L.A.
Hi, Thailia. Thanks for your question. When you reach full retirement age, we will automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits, but the benefit amount remains the same. Therefore, you don’t have to do anything. To find out your full retirement age, please visit here. We hope this helps.
Jarrel E.
Hello I am Currently going through a disability cessation review Process after receiving my Social Security Benefits I won and was Awarded through S.S.D.I for over several years plus now and have no other source of income except the fixed income i’m on now I would Like to know what is the length of time for a judges review or next scheduling of proceeding that can accelerate the reinstatement of my S.S.D status and benefits that should not have been discontinued because, no proof of me being able to work or my condition being work ready has change from my original decision and ruling that I am not both Mental Physical and Genetic factors leading to my disability are still active and present in my everyday life still.
Ellen E.
Can you own a car and still get disability income and Medicare?
L.A.
Hi, Ellen. Thanks for your question. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. Resources can affect a person’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit. Resources are the things you own such as cash, real estate, personal belongings, bank accounts, stocks and bonds that you can use for your support. However, not all of your resources count toward SSI resource limit. For more information on SSI resources, visit here. We hope this helps.
Debbie G.
Hello,
I have a question about SS Disability benefits that I cannot locate an answer to. If a person has already been approved for SSI or SSDI and their condition worsens, this involves MS, is there any time a person should reapply to see if they can get additional monthly $ amount because of it? I know SSDI is strictly based on income, but what about SSI where government is paying supplemental income? I appreciate you taking the time to help me out with this. Thanks in advance and have a great day!
L.A.
Hi Debbie. Thanks for your question. Benefits are based on an individual’s earnings not their disabling condition. However, the individual may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which they live. These services may include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other challenges that the person may encounter. To get information about services in their area, and to find out if they qualify, they will need to contact their state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Mary
I am currently on disability and am age 62.
Does this stay the same, or will it change over to regular Social Security at some point in the future?
L.A.
Hi Mary. Thank you for your question. When you reach full retirement age, we will automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits, but the benefit amount remains the same. Therefore, you don’t have to do anything. We hope this helps.