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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Viçtor P.
My SSDI case is up for review. I have been on SSDI since October 2012 backdated to February 2009. It is clear to my current doctors that I can’t work. I have tried with many failed attempts. Joined Ticket to Work for 4 years and a mutual decision in 2019 between my counselor and I that ONLY due to my conditions I should unsign my Ticket. I did nothing wrong. Even a other Vocab program counselor spoke to me later in 2019 and she came to the same conclusion that due to my past medical history, I was not a fit for her programs either. I filled out this long 10 page CDR and only sent my doctor’s printout of all the medicines I take. I told them I had more if wanted. My question is they only want my records and the info on the form for the last 12 months. Things happened older dated would show a much better picture. I am scared even though it is irrational but that is due to my OCD just one of many other conditions approved in the original hearing. Why only 12 months? With 12 months it would still show I am still disabled but I worry too much.
James A.
When will I get my backpay? I’m still waiting on the letter telling me the amount. I was disabled june 30th 2020 .
V.V.
For your security, James, 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 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.
Onebigbird
Your Blog sucks! You provide NO information. The Social Security Administration Sucks! None of you give a f#%k about the recipients your just sucking up government Pay and massive benifits. All of you should be fired and the system wiped clean from your greedy existence! You people did wait five months in a row before you take taxes out of our checks. You don’t take ” on I’ll start paying you in about 60 days” when taxes are due! Just another form of a mass hypocrisy your system does not belong to you! It belongs to the F#;%ing people! Scumbags!
Loren B.
You are right, I’ve been trying to “finish” an application I submitted on 12-2, I keep getting “ try again later” when I log in to finish, it only lets me go so far.
I called this morning and waited to talk to someone for an hour, when I finally got someone, she was rude and short with me, I asked her if she could assist me in finishing my application, she said no and I have to submit a new application, guess what it won’t let me do this.
Their web site really is bad.
Jodi C.
I was just approved for disability.How long does it normally take for social security back pay occur after SSI has informed me of back pay from that? Do they start with date that they declared you disabled just like SSI? I haven’t received a back pay letter yet from Social Security regarding the amount or two s it only backpay from SSI that I will receive?
V.V.
Hi Jodi, thanks for using our blog. You’ll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. Social Security disability benefits will not begin until the sixth full month of disability. The Social Security disability waiting period begins with the first full month after the date we decide your disability began.
You can log in to or create a my Social Security account to check the status of your application online.
If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or 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.
Veronica H.
Hi I was wondering if my disability is up for review or if it is coming up for review.
Veronica Hougham
V.V.
Hi Veronica, thanks for using our blog. 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 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.
furniture p.
There you can download for free, see the first of these data.
Magdy y.
How I can get a CD for my Lawer?
V.V.
Hi Magdy, thank you for your question. Please contact your local Social Security office for assistance. 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.
Belinda B.
I still have not received my disability back pay. Its past the 60 days they are allowed.what can I do? I’ve contacted office numerous times, they say it’s not 60 days yet. Well now it is. I’m rather upset because I have over 2 years of back pay. I’m appalled that your office can just take their sweet time when my rent and bills are due
V.V.
Hi Belinda, thank you for using our blog. Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that you continue to work with our offices with specific questions. 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.
ProfDrMahmoo E.
May Allah bless us and help us and send us to paradise ameen.
Katherine G.
I have been on disability since 2015. I received review paperwork late last year &, upon completion, I took it to the local Social Security office (11/1/2019). It has been almost 6 months &, I have not received any requests for additional information or any other correspondence regarding my review. When I initially applied for disability, I was approved in just over 2 months.
My question is, “How long does it normally take for disability reviews to be completed & a response sent to person being reviewed?” I understand some reviews will take longer than others.
Many thanks for your time & assistance!
V.V.
Hi Katherine, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. 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 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.
Christen T.
I need help filling out the forms for my son’s Disability review report. I would like to either come in or communicate with someone over video. The questions are very confusing and are due by January 4, 2021 and I just received them a week ago. Please Help
V.V.
Hi Christen, thanks for using our blog. Please call your local Social Security office. 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.
Amber
I’ve been through review before. I did not receive anything afterwards and my benefits continued. Don’t quote me on this, but it seems no news means you “passed” a review, and the paperwork (and doctor if they required an exam) did not find any evidence that you were not disabled. If you are worried, you can try making an account and checking that or talking with them directly, either in office or by phone.