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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Peggy
Hello I was wondering if I could get help with some questions that I might have I had an on-the-job injury in 2009 I have degenerative disc disease I have pain in my neck and back weakness in my arms legs and feet terrible headaches and I have had mood disorders since I was 5 years old I was diagnosed with that when I was 5 years old and have been taking medication for it on and off I don’t seem to be getting any better I apply for Social Security benefits in 2011 and I was denied and at that point I tried to keep working I worked on and off but continue to get laid off and fired because of my condition I couldn’t do my job properly so I applied once again early last year they turn me down and I appeal I was wondering how long does it take after the appeal to get seen by a judge and what are my chances for being awarded SSDI if my condition is degenerative disc disease depressive mood disorder and daily chronic pain with headaches sometimes I don’t even take the pain medication because it does not even seem to work I can’t sit for any for a long. Of time I can’t stand for any long period of time it’s just awful I cannot climb stairs
R.F.
Thank you for contacting us Peggy. The length of time it takes to get 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. The good news is that we are trying to conduct many of our hearings through video teleconferencing (VTC) to speed up the process. Visit our “Hearing and Appeals” web page for more information, and continue working with your attorney and local hearing office on specific questions about your case. You may find our listing of impairments useful.
Peggy
Thank you for responding my attorney told me that my illness is definitely severe enough according to my doctor statement MRIs and x-rays that I would have been approved possibly already however at the time I applied I didn’t have the proper documentation so that’s why it’s being prolonged and in the meantime I’m breaking down I’ve already lost everything that I own I have no money for food I don’t have a vehicle while I wait I can’t climb stairs I can’t see it I can’t stand and I’m dealing with the chronic pain and headaches I have loss of bladder and bowel function movements a time and I’m just in bad shape and now that I have an attorney there telling me there’s nothing that they can do to speed up the process I filed an appeal in last November and here we are this November I haven’t heard anything again I am getting really nervous and I feel like just committing suicide. Is there anything that might attorney can do with the Social Security office to help expedite my case I’m at the point now where I feel I’ll probably be dead by the time I’m awarded my benefits
Lenny
I am going through the same shit. The examining doctor for the state made false statements and I hope he dies of a slow cancer. I hate him and he is a piece of shit.
Heather H.
My dad has been waiting for 3 years and plans to commit suicide when he can no longer afford to live. I don’t see the benefit in this process.
R.F.
Hi Heather. We are sorry to hear about your father’s difficulties and health problems. The length of time it takes to get 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. The good news is that we are trying to conduct many of our hearings through video teleconferencing (VTC) to speed up the process. Also, while waiting for a medical determination on his disability claim, your father may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which he lives. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. Or you can visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page for more information. Thanks.
Stacey
I went to court June 23rd. The judge said there was no job I could do.. So I waited and got my letter being denied. So I had to file a review. How long will it take t o get a notice on that?
R.F.
Hi Stacey, The length of time it takes to get a review of your claim can vary from state to state, as there may be delays due to the volume of pending appeals in your area. Please continue working with your attorney and local hearing office on specific questions about your case. Thank you for your support and for using our blog.
Mary
Is it true that the Social Security Administration has to send you a letter 30 days prior to lowering your disability payments, because I never received any notification from the SSA and my disability was lowered last month. I still have no idea as to why this happened to me. What if anything can I do about this.
R.F.
Hi Mary, please contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; or Contact your local Social Security office. Thanks.
Mary
Sir I would still like to know if it is true or not that someone on disability needs to be notified in advance before the receive a lower payment. I have read online that this is true and it makes sense to me, but I would like to know the truth before I notify my local office.
R.F.
Hi Mary! Generally, we notify individuals about any changes in their benefits.
Debbie
I started receiving my disability payments in Feb 2016 and that included back pay from Sept 2013. Before my payments started I was asked if I had received a Work Comp Lump Sum during those dates, I called the SSA and told them that I hadn’t during the dates listed, but that I did in early 2012 for a 2008 work injury. The worker I spoke to told me that those dates are fine, but to put it on the form anyway. Now my disability payments are being reduced from $780 a month to only $27 a month. I was never sent a letter regarding this reduction and only found out about because I went on the Social Security Administration’s website to find out why I was sent an additional check in August for a little over $1,200. I then called the SSA and was only told that I now owe SSA more than $17,000 and I don’t know why. After researching on the internet, I found that if Social Security is going to reduce your monthly payments that they need to give you a 30 day notice stating so and why. I never received any notification at all and had it not been for the additional $1,200+ in Aug, I would never had known in Sept until the day that I was to receive my payment. I cannot afford to only receive $27 a month as my monthly medications and doctor visits cost more than that. What if anything can I do about this?
R.F.
Hi Debbie! Workers’ compensation and other public disability benefits may reduce your Social Security benefits. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal records via this blog, and cannot provide an explanation. In your case, we recommend that you visit your local Social Security office and speak with a representative. Please bring with you any and all documentation related to your earlier worker’s compensation benefits. We apologize for any inconveniences.
Patricia C.
I am 58 years old and I have scoliosis and pain with my back,neck, hips,and headaches. I have depression , anxiety, and carpal tunnel in both my hands. When I was denied twice they did tell me I couldn’t do my past jobs. I can only stand for 3 or 4 hrs at a time and my medicine makes me sleepy and have to lay down through the day. I sent in a dire letter and they got my hearing set up a lot sooner. The judge ask me about my health and how much wt I had to lift at my jobs and I told him around 40 pds and and sometime more and It got till I was in to much pain. I can’t concentrate and have trouble remembering. The judge then smiled at me and said you’re probably wore out aren’t you? I said yes sir. He then ask the VE if she had anything to say and she said no. The judge looked at me and said I will send you my decision in the mail. My lawyer said my doctor sent in a very good report about my health problems.Do you think I have a good chance of approval? Thank You Patricia
9/18/2016 8:09 PM
R.F.
Hi Patricia. The amount of time to receive a decision after a hearing varies from case to case. In your situation, we encourage you to continue working with your attorney and local hearing office on specific questions about your case. Thank you for your support and for using our blog.
Sheree
My mother is 57 years old and had been receiving disability for 10 years when she got her review paperwork in the mail. “No problem,” I thought, as my mother is an amputee in addition to not having her entire left hip and buttocks due to a near-fatal car accident. She cannot stoop, crawl, climb, lift heavy objects, sit or stand for longer than 20 minutes, etc. Imagine my surprise when they deny her, and we’re thrust into this terrible appeal process.
At this point it’s been about a year since the initial letter. She’s seen one of their doctors for a physical, which I thought FOR SURE would lead to her approval, as he even commented about her poor health status, but NO. She started attending therapy sessions because her anxiety has gotten so out of hand about this whole situation.
She worked damn hard her whole life in fast food/waitress positions, with nothing more than a high school diploma. She has no special training, no special skills, can’t work in the food industry (OBVIOUSLY), and now hs memory/concentration problems because of a stroke suffered 3 years ago.
By all definitions, including those so-called “grids” SS supposedly uses, she is 100% disabled, so WHY HAS THIS HAPPENED?
Incompetent, lazy workers, that’s how, who see pieces of paper and printed words instead of.people. This is a horrible oversight that has caused me many, many sleepless nights wondering if my mother will go hungry or homeless because of the government’s carelessness.
We’re about a week or two away from her hearing, and if the ALJ somehow finds her not disabled… well, I have no idea.
The system needs to be fixed. So sorry to hear of so much struggle. It seems compassion and logic is thrown out the window when it comes to the SSA.
Brenda
My husband is in the cdr now. He was granted ssdi the first go around, which was 3 years ago. He has epilepsy, sees his neurologist regularly. He has suffered with this since childhood. He received the vegas nerve implant in his chest. This device helps but he still suffers. He is unable to drive. I rarely leave him alone. Will his benefits stop? We are worried. Thanks in advance
R.F.
Hi Brenda. We understand that a medical review can be stressful. We conduct medical reviews from time to time to make sure individuals are still disabled, and we only evaluate factors that permanently affect their ability to work. Also, we obtain and consider medical evidence from their doctor or other medical sources, if needed. For other factors that we consider in reviewing your disability status, please read our publication, “What You Need to Know: Reviewing Your Disability”. We hope this helps.
mark n.
Can I do my medical review on line, instead of on the phone?
So I have plenty of time to gather information, papers, records etc.that I can’t remember off the top of my head?
R.F.
Thank you for your question Mark. We do not conduct medical reviews online at this time. We either conduct reviews by phone, or if we decide a full medical review is needed, we’ll send you a letter asking you to come to the Social Security office. At the review, we’ll ask how your medical condition affects you and whether it’s improved. We’ll ask you to bring your doctors’ names, addresses, and phone numbers and to bring patient record numbers for any hospitals and other medical sources that have treated you since we last contacted you. We appreciate your interest in being prepared to provide the information we will need, when conducting your medical review.
Terry
I had a review so they checked my I hadn’t been to a doctor for years beside a bunch of ER visits for the same illness for about 3 years straight. According to social security that wasn’t good enough so they sent me to see their so called doctor for a full physical the guy only checked my heartbeat and said your fine I say that was not a full physical he replied thank you and walked out the room.
Joefrankilin
I’ve been on SSI for 7 years now I’m up for medical review and they want me to see SS psychiatrist is there a reason for this are they just trying to pick on me?
Joe
I been. On ssi for 7 years I have a medical review right now and I was asked too go see a psychiatrist by my judicator. I have panic attacks and agoraphobia but I do not see a psychiatrist I see my doctor every month is there a reason why they’re sending me to a psychiatrist they trying to pick on me ? I have all my medical records in the forms I filled out I’m on 14 medications something else be worried about this sending me to there SS psychiatrist?
R.F.
Hi Joe. We understand that a medical review can be stressful. We conduct medical reviews from time to time to make sure you are still disabled, and we only evaluate factors that permanently affect your ability to work. Also, we obtain and consider medical evidence from your doctor or other medical sources, if needed. The review depends on how severe your medical condition is and the likelihood it will improve. Generally, if medical improvement is possible, we will do a continuing disability review (CDR) approximately every 3 years. If not, we may review it less frequently. For other factors that we consider in reviewing your disability status, please read our publication, “What You Need to Know: Reviewing Your Disability”. We hope this helps.