Overview
Social Security conducts periodic reviews to determine if you still qualify for disability benefits. How often they review your case depends on the specifics of your medical condition and the likelihood it will improve. Generally, if your condition is expected to improve, reviews are scheduled more frequently. If your condition is unlikely to improve, reviews may be scheduled less often.
Initial Award Letter
When you are first approved for Social Security disability benefits, you will receive an award letter. This letter outlines your medical condition and the schedule for your continuing disability reviews. The frequency of reviews will be categorized as:
- Medical improvement expected – review in 6 to 18 months
- Medical improvement possible – review in 3 years
- Medical improvement not expected – review in 5 to 7 years
So at the time of your initial approval, you will know when Social Security plans to check in on your disability status again.
What Triggers a Review?
In addition to the scheduled continuing disability reviews outlined in your award letter, other events can also trigger a review of your disability by Social Security. These include:
- You return to work.
- Advances in medical treatment become available that may improve your condition.
- You fail to comply with Social Security’s requests for information.
- The Social Security Administration receives an allegation or tip questioning your disability.
Social Security takes work reports very seriously. Even part-time or unsuccessful work attempts must be reported and can prompt a review.
Full Medical Review
For full medical reviews, Social Security will contact your doctors and other medical providers to obtain your updated medical records. They use this updated information to determine if your medical condition has improved to the point where you would no longer be considered disabled under Social Security guidelines.
Some of the factors considered in a full medical review include:
- Abilities – What activities are you able to do now that you could not do before?
- Medical Tests – What do the latest test results show about your condition?
- Treatments – Are there new treatments available or have changes to your treatment regimen improved your symptoms?
- Work Potential – Do you have the ability to return to any type of work?
Based on a thorough review of your updated medical records, Social Security will determine if your disability benefits should continue.
Work Continuing Disability Review
A work continuing disability review (CDR) is triggered by your work activity. Social Security will investigate:
- The amount of your earnings.
- The amount of time spent working.
- The physical and mental demands of your job.
They will determine if you have demonstrated the ability to sustain substantial gainful activity (SGA), even if it is part-time. If you can work and earn more than the SGA limit, currently $1,360 per month for non-blind individuals, your disability benefits may be ceased.
However, Social Security offers several work incentive programs, that may allow you to keep your benefits for a period of time while you test your ability to return to work. These include:
- Trial Work Period – Allows you to earn as much as you want for up to 9 months without affecting your benefits.
- Extended Period of Eligibility – Allows you to receive benefits for 36 months after the Trial Work Period ends if your work is later discontinued.
- Continuation of Medicare – Allows you to keep Medicare benefits for 93 months after the Trial Work Period.
Frequency of Reviews
The frequency of continuing disability reviews depends on your medical condition. Here are some estimates on how often reviews may be scheduled:
Medical improvement expected
If your condition is expected to improve within 12-18 months, your first CDR will typically be 6 to 18 months after you are first awarded disability benefits. Additional reviews may take place every 3 to 6 months after that until the improvement is documented.
Medical improvement possible
If full recovery within 18 months is uncertain, but improvement is considered possible, your first CDR will usually be 12 to 24 months after you are awarded benefits. Subsequent reviews may be scheduled about every 12 months after that.
Medical improvement not expected
If your medical condition is stable with no expectation of improvement, your first CDR will likely be 3 years after you are awarded benefits. Future reviews will be scheduled about every 3 years after that unless there is a change in your status.
Permanent disability
Some conditions are considered permanent, such as certain types of brain damage, paralysis, visual loss, or other irreversible conditions. If you are classified as permanently disabled at the time of your approval for benefits, Social Security may schedule a formal review every 5 to 7 years.
Preparing for Your Review
Here are some tips on getting ready for your scheduled continuing disability review:
- Review your award letter to check the date of your next CDR.
- Mark your calendar ahead of time so the review does not sneak up on you.
- Contact your doctors to start gathering your updated medical records.
- Make sure you follow all of Social Security’s requests for information in a timely manner.
- If your condition has improved, consider vocational rehabilitation or other support programs to help you transition back to work.
- If your condition has declined, make sure your doctor provides documentation noting the progression.
Being proactive reduces stress and ensures you submit the necessary details to avoid any disruption in your benefits.
Results of Your Review
After conducting a thorough continuing disability review, Social Security will send you a letter informing you of their decision. There are several possible outcomes:
- Benefits Continued – If the evidence shows you remain disabled, your benefits will continue.
- Benefits Terminated – If evidence shows significant medical improvement, your benefits may be ceased.
- Benefits Temporarily Continued – If the decision is unclear, they may temporarily continue benefits for 3-12 months while seeking additional information.
If your benefits are ceased following a CDR, you will have the right to appeal the decision. Be sure to meet all appeal deadlines noted in any termination notice you receive. You can provide new medical evidence as part of an appeal.
Bottom Line
Social Security conducts periodic continuing disability reviews to determine if your benefits should continue. How often they review your case depends on the details of your medical condition and likelihood of improvement. Reviews typically range from 6 months to 7 years apart. Prepare for your scheduled CDRs by submitting complete, detailed and up-to-date medical records. Staying organized can help reduce stress around the review process.
| Medical Improvement Expectation | Typical Time Between Reviews |
|---|---|
| Expected in less than 12-18 months | 6 to 18 months |
| Possible in the future | 12 to 24 months |
| Not expected | 3 years |
| Permanent disability | 5 to 7 years |