DISABILITY REVIEW

What is a "continuing disability review?"

SSA is required periodically to review the cases of all people who are receiving disability benefits. Usually cases are reviewed every three years; but some cases are reviewed more often. Sometimes the decision will direct SSA to conduct a review at a certain time. Sometimes the Notice of Award will tell you when to expect a review.

What will I have to do for a "continuing disability review?"

You will be asked to complete a form about your medical treatment, any vocational training or work and how your condition has changed since the time you were found eligible for disability benefits.

What if SSA finds that my disability has ceased but I'm still not able to work?

The notice that you will receive from SSA following a "continuing disability review" will explain your appeal rights. Read this notice carefully. If you appeal within ten days of the date you receive the notice, your benefits will continue during your appeal. So be sure to act quickly.

Is there anything that I can do now to help insure that my benefits will continue?

The very best thing you can do is to continue seeing your doctor – TREAT TREAT TREAT. A lot of people with long term chronic medical problems stop seeing their doctors because no treatment seems to help. This is a mistake for two reasons. First, it means that when SSA conducts its review, no medical evidence will exist to show that your condition is the same as it was when you were first found disabled. Second, and perhaps even more importantly, doctors recommend that even healthy people after a certain age periodically have a thorough physical examination. This is even more important for people who already have chronic medical problems.

Click here to learn more about working while disabled.

Is SSA going to make it as difficult to keep my benefits as it did to get them in the first place?

No, not at all. The disabilities of the vast majority of people are found to continue at the initial evaluation. Few people have their benefits stopped.