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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Tracey B.
Does SS disability benefits end when you turn 65?
V.V.
Hi Tracey, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries become full retirement age. The law does not allow a person to receive both retirement and disability benefits on one earnings record at the same time. We hope this helps!
Paul
I submitted my Disability Update Report online yesterday. How long does it take to hear the results?
V.V.
Hi Paul, thanks for using our blog. Check out our factsheet “Reviewing Your Disability” for details on the process. You can call your local Social Security office with additional questions. 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.
Dennis
I have been on SSI for over 20 years. I am blind. I have gotten married. My SSI went from $785 down to $226 in Jan 2021 and in Feb it went from $226 down to $213. I keep losing my SSI and there is no cause. I talk to the Main SSA office and they have or state no reason for this to keep happening. I know othere disabled couples on SSDi & SSi in my area that gets a combined amount over $1500 a month.
V.V.
For your security, Dennis, 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 call 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.
Tracey C.
I’ve misplaced my disability review paper work that I’ve received last week. Is it possible that it can be emailed to me or faxed to me or I can fill it outline??
S.D.
Hi, Tracey, and thanks for using our blog. We now offer a new online option to complete your continuing disability review and provide any supporting documents about your medical treatment and work. You’ll find the online form here. To complete the online form, you’ll need your Social Security number, your current address and phone number, and a valid email address. Also, you must have received a request for an updated disability report in the mail. Once you “Click to Sign,” you’ll receive an email from echosign.com asking you to confirm your digital signature. Check your junk folder if you don’t receive it within a few minutes. Your signature isn’t complete—and your form won’t be processed—until you complete the instructions in the email.
For information about continuing disability reviews during the COVID-19 pandemic, please check out our Social Security and Coronavirus webpage. You may find our Continuing Disability Review web page helpful in understanding the process. You can call your local office if you still have questions. 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.
Deanna A.
I believe i am up for review this year. I’m worried about not being approved because my doctors don’t like filling out paperwork for disability. My condition isn’t any better and it’s getting worse. How can I help ensure I keep my benefits?
V.V.
Hi Deanna, thank you for using our blog. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for details on continuing disability reviews during the COVID-19 pandemic. You may find our Continuing Disability Review web page helpful in understanding the process. You can call your local office if you still have questions. 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.