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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Kate
Hello I have a friend that is in desperate need of disability benefits due to his suffering severe separation anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD and dyslexia… He has information from his doctors in the past should he undergo current treatment? I’m wondering what is the best route to go for him if we should get an attorney or an advocate? Thank you for your time and reading my letter I’m intrigued to see your response.
R.F.
Hello, Kate and thank you for helping! We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. However, if a person believes they are disabled and meets our definition of disability, we encourage them to apply for disability as soon as they become disabled. Your friend can apply online, which is quick and easy. He can also apply by calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or he can contact his local Social Security office directly. For more information visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability. We hope this information helps!
Vince
Is an award letter sent after a CDR? Its been 3 months and I have not heard anything.
R.F.
Hi, Vince. Generally, after completion of a medical review, you get a letter telling you about our decision. If your health hasn’t improved, or if your disability still keeps you from working, you’ll continue to receive your benefits. For more information visit our Disability Planner: Reviewing Your Disability. Unfortunately and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and speak to one of our representatives for further assistance. Thanks!
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Lenora
Hi I been on ssdi since 2005 and I got a cdr I think because I work a little part time but I been to my dr appointment and I am still in pain and I had to stop cause I was in a lot of pain but I dnt tell them I was working and I dnt make a lot of money my medical records are up to date I am very worried I am in depression right now should I be worried.
R.F.
Hi Lenora. The Social Security Administration conducts Continuing Disability Reviews or CRDs from time to time to make sure the individuals receiving checks are still eligible to get them. There are special rules that help you keep your cash benefits and Medicare while you test your ability to work. For more information about your continuing eligibility, please visit our Disability Planner web page. For further assistance, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to an agent. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks.
Beckie
My hubby has been disabled for four yrs now, he’s fused from l4-s1 in his back has numbness in his right leg from knee down and sever drop foot. He’s in no potion to return to work, his surgeon closed shop here in ca and moved out of state, so he isn’t seeing a dr as of now for his back issues, but social security just denied him at his review statnping his health has improved and he’s able to return to work….what do we do now, an appeal of course but he doesn’t have a dr for is workers comp issue anymore and his reg dr won’t touch it.
R.F.
Hi Beckie. If an individual’s disability application was recently denied, but he or she does not agree with our decision, the individual has the right to file an appeal. You must make a request within 60 days from the date the notice of denial is received. We recommend that individuals don’t delay submitting an appeal, even if they don’t have all of the information they need. In some cases, the disability examiner may decide to arrange for a consultative examination in order to obtain the additional information needed. Individuals can complete and submit the required Appeal Request and Appeal Disability Report online. Please visit our Disability Determination Process web page for more information. We hope this information helps.
Bill
Hi,
I got approved about 4 years ago after having heart failure then subsequent kidney failure. I’ve been on dialysis for 4 years as they say I will never regain kidney function. Is there any way to find out when I will be reviewed. I don’t recall seeing this information on any letter I got.
R.F.
Hi Bill! The Social Security Administration conducts Continuing Disability Reviews from time to time to make sure the individuals receiving checks are still eligible to get them. 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. You will be notified by mail, when and if we need to review your case. You will be given enough time to respond and contact us for further instructions. For more information, please read our publication: “What You Need To Know – Reviewing Your Disability“. Thanks.
Blanche
Hello I’ve been on SSDI since 2015 at age 58. The letter I first received said I would be reviewed in 5-7 years. What are the chances that when I’m 63 or 65 they would stop my benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Blanche. Thank you for your question. The Social Security Administration reviews cases from time to time to make sure the individuals receiving checks are still eligible to get them. The review depends on how severe your medical condition is and the likelihood it will improve. How often we review cases depends on the individual’s medical condition. In most cases, you will continue to receive benefits as long as you are disabled. For more information about continuing disability reviews, please visit our Disability Planner: Your Continuing Eligibility and read our publication: “What You Need to Know: Reviewing Your Disability”. We hope this helps.
Kerry
I have been approved for disability and received a letter indicating the number of years between reviews for my case. I have misplaced or lost the letter. Who do I contact to get a replacement letter regarding my CDR?
A.C.
Hi! To get a copy of the letter, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this helps!
Layla T.
I have a Disability Review coming up soon, but still haven’t received any notification. The only reason I even know is because of contacting SSA about another matter recently. Should I be worried? Why haven’t they sent me a notice, or form, or anything?
R.F.
Thank you for contacting us Layla. When we decide a full medical review is needed, we’ll send you a letter asking you to come to the Social Security office. The Social Security Administration conducts Continuing Disability Reviews from time to time to make sure the individuals receiving checks are still eligible to get them. 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. We hope this helps!
Mary
You have given me two helpful answers about SSI redeterminations. One more question…is it true SSA is viewing ones bank history prior to the redetermination? If so, why would they need bank statements?