Blog Post

Continuing Social Security Disability Reviews--Don't Panic

Posted by: Sara Delashmutt
April 01, 2009
Topic: Social Security Disability

One thing that many Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries dread is getting the letter notifying them that their case is about to be reviewed. These reviews are called Continuing Disability Reviews or CDRs. Most Social Security beneficiaries will have their case reviewed at some point so let's take a look at exactly what that means. When someone is approved for any type of disability benefits, there is a diary set for that case. The diary is a time frame usually 1 year to 7 years that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will wait before they review the case to see if the beneficiary has medically improved to the point that they are no longer disabled under SSA's rules. When the diary expires then the case is assigned to be reviewed for medical improvement. When a beneficiary gets the CDR letter there will be some forms to complete. The Social Security Administration will want to know about recent medical treatment, any changes in medical conditions, any new medical conditions that may have developed, and any vocational training or work. The beneficiary may be sent for a Consultative Exam by one of SSA's doctors to get an update assessment of the beneficiary's condition. SSA will then review the new information to see if there has been significant medical improvement. Based on SSA's rules, it is more difficult for SSA to find a beneficiary has had medical improvement than it is for the Social Security Administration to find the beneficiary to initially be found disabled. We all know how hard it is to be found disabled under SSA's rules so it is even harder for SSA to find that a beneficiary has medically improved. The vast majority of CDRs result in the disability benefits continuing uninterrupted.

If you are receiving disability benefits and get your CDR letter, you should just cooperate. Fill out the forms as completely as you can and return them timely. Attend the Consultative Exam if one is scheduled for you. Failing to do so will get your benefits ceased quickly for failing to cooperate. The odds are greatly in your favor that your benefits will continue if you just do what you are asked to do. The CDR workload at the Social Security Administration is not a high priority workload given the already overworked staff so you may not get a CDR in a timely manner. If you receive a letter that SSA has found that you have medically improved and that your benefits will be ceased, IMMEDIATELY go to your local office and appeal the cessation. If you appeal the decision within 10 DAYS of the letter your benefits will continue during the appeal process.

Most beneficiaries will see their benefits continue as a result of their CDRs. So if you get the dreaded CDR letter, don't panic. Just get a fresh pen, a cool drink and comfy chair and get to work on those forms. Chances are you'll be fine.