For those who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the Social Security Administration (SSA) does a periodic review known as a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) to ensure its recipients still meet the qualifications.
The SSA mainly looks to see if your condition has medically improved, and if so, your SSDI review may render you at a loss of disability benefits.
Why Are SSDI Benefits Reviewed?
To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, the applicant must be suffering from an illness or injury that renders them unable to work for a minimum of 12 months. Some applicants may suffer from permanently disabling conditions. Others may eventually be able to return to work.
To keep track of who no longer requires SSDI benefits, the SSA conducts periodical reviews. The frequency of reviews depends on your condition.
If your condition is expected to improve, claims are usually reviewed in six to 18 months. If improvement is only possible, that time could be only every three years. And if your condition is not expected to improve at all, your benefits may only be reviewed every five to seven years.
How Can I Prepare for a CDR?
In most cases, a Continuing Disability Review shouldn’t be a huge cause for concern. This review does not require you to prove your disability all over again. Rather, in order to terminate your benefits after a CDR, Social Security would need to prove that you have experienced such a significant medical improvement in your condition that it has improved your residual functional capacity. The SSA must also find that there is some kind of substantial gainful activity you can perform.
Increase your chances of a successful review by:
- Keeping copies of all documents you send to the SSA.
- Maintaining updated medical records, including lists of all medical treatments and tests.
- Making sure the SSA has your current address information so you receive your CDR.
When a Review Results in Loss of Benefits
In some cases, a review can result in a termination of benefits. If the SSA believes you no longer qualify for benefits after your review, you will continue to receive benefits for two months (at most) after your notification. This can be stressful for those who are unable to work due to their disability, and who are unsure why or how they have been disqualified by their review.
What Are My Options?
Like every organization, the SSA does make mistakes, so you may be able to continue receiving your benefits. A halt in your disability benefits can be appealed, but it must be done so within 60 days of receiving your denial notice. To continue to receive benefits during an appeal, you also want to make sure the Request for Reconsideration form is submitted within 10 days of tour denial notice specifically asking that benefits be continue.
An appeals process for SSDI benefits is more than just paperwork. Your reconsideration request can even be denied. During this time it is important to have an attorney at your side to guide you through the process. An experienced disability denials attorney will be familiar with the appeals process and know how to help you regain your SSDI benefits.
An SSDI Review Attorney Can Help You
M. Stanley Whitehead has over 25 years of experience in disability denials. If your SSDI Review results in a loss of benefits, contact The Law Offices Of M. Stanley Whitehead for knowledgeable and aggressive representation from a disability denial attorney. Call 713-993-7311 or fill out our contact form online for more information.
