If you receive Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA), then you probably already know that these programs are extremely complex and challenging to navigate. Securing benefits can take a significant amount of time. In addition, they usually require extensive documentation of your disability and functional limitations.
Even after you secure disability benefits, the process is not over. This is because the SSA is required to conduct a periodic review of the case of each person who receives SSD or SSI benefits. This is known as a continuing disability review (CDR).
This review is important because, if the SSA finds during a CDR that your impairments have improved to the extent that you are able to work, then you will no longer be eligible to receive disability benefits.
Overview of the Continuing Disability Review
A CDR is a process by which the SSA analyzes your medical impairment(s) to determine if you continue to have a disabling condition that qualifies you for disability benefits. If the SSA finds that your condition has improved and you are no longer disabled or blind, then your benefits will terminate.
During a CDR, the SSA will review information about your disability. The federal agency is required to perform a CDR at least once every three years, unless you have a medical condition that is expected to improve sooner.
If, on the other hand, you have a medical condition that is not expected to improve, then your case may only be reviewed once every seven years. Judges can also set different timelines for review when awarding a case, requesting that the Administration re-review a case in as little as twelve months after an award.
Timeframe for a Continuing Disability Review
The length of the time associated with the CDR process will depend primarily on whether you receive the short Disability Update Report or the longer Continuing Disability Review Report. The short-form mailer is a scannable form, and is used as a basis to determine whether or not SSA will conduct a CDR. If you receive a short-form mailer, then you get a response informing you of whether SSA will do a full review of your disability benefits.
Hire a Disability Benefits Lawyer
Even after you have been awarded disability benefits, there are still hurdles to maintaining your status (and benefits) with the SSA. Learning about the CDR process can help you be better prepared for a periodic review. If you are selected for a longer form report or for a full medical review, an experienced disability benefits lawyer can work with you to help you put together a strong case for continued benefits.
