Continuing Disability Reviews (2023)

FAQs

How long does a continuing disability review take? ›

These period case reviews are referred to as “Continuing Disability Reviews,” (CDRs). Most CDRs are called “short form CDRs” which are completed within one to three months. In other cases, a “long form CDR” may take as long as six months to complete.

Generally, if your health hasn't improved, or if your disability still keeps you from working, you'll continue to receive your benefits. Our review process gives you the opportunity to show that you still have a qualifying disability and ensures that your benefits aren't stopped incorrectly.

Unless your condition has improved enough for you to work, a continuing disability review is not much to worry about. You won't have to prove your disability over again.

As long as you are continuing to see your doctors and receive treatments, your condition has not improved and you are not working, there is virtually nothing to worry about. These reviews are typically only conducted every three or every seven years, depending on the severity of your condition.

Triggered CDRs

You return to work (unless you've been receiving SSDI benefits for at least 24 months). You inform the SSA that your condition has improved. Your medical evidence indicates that your condition has improved. A third party informs the SSA that you are not following your treatment protocol, or.

Medical Improvement Possible

If your case is classified as MIP, your CDRs will be scheduled every three years. For most cases, you'll stop being scheduled for CDRs after age 52, with some exceptions for cancers in remission or bone fractures.

How Long After a SSD Exam Will I Get a Decision? Oftentimes, people hear back about a decision around a month after the CE has taken place. However, some people may have to wait to hear back for up to 3 months after their exam.

Also, some events can trigger a CDR. Examples include the completion of a vocational rehabilitation program, an SSI child's 18th birthday, when a baby turns one year old, and sometimes work-related income within the first 24 months of entitlement to SSD benefits.

How do you know if Social Security is investigating you? ›

YOU MAY BE UNDER SSA INVESTIGATION AT YOUR CONSULTATIVE EXAMINATION. Typically, when the SSA decides to start an investigation, they will have an investigator follow you at your Consultative Examination. The people who follow you are not police officers, they are investigators.

A typical CDR will take 1 to 3 months to process, provided that you get the short-form Disability Update Report. This scannable form will be used to determine whether the SSA will perform a full CDR. The SSA will usually make this decision within a 1 to 3 month timeframe.

In fact, far from it – more than 90% of applicants who undergo a CDR are approved for continued benefits. Having a basic understanding of how CDRs work, and what information you will be expected to provide, can help increase those odds.

Additional red flags include the following: 1) checking the box that states your doctor told you that you can work; 2) checking the box that says that your health is better now than when you were approved for benefits; and/or 3) entering earnings that exceed the substantial gainful activity level.

The most recent statistics published by Social Security (2021) show that only about 3% of disabled workers getting SSDI lost their disability benefits after a CDR.

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

In general, disability investigators often follow you around to ensure that your claim is legitimate. While this method may have been heavily used in the past, in today's day and age, claims administrators often utilize a different method for surveilling individuals, and it's with social media and background checks.

Actually, the SSA is required to review every individual receiving Social Security Disability (SSD,) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI.) This is referred to as a Continuing Disability Review, or CDR for short.

The number of full medical CDRs SSA processed decreased from over 713,000 in FY 2019 to approximately 510,000 in FY 2021, resulting in a backlog of nearly 153,000 full medical CDRs at the end of FY 2021. In addition, SSA did not always cease paying benefits it could have based on the CDR process.

What are the cons of being on disability? ›

Research studies, anecdotal information and manufacturers' literature suggest that the lifetime of recordable optical discs can range from a couple of years to more than 200 years.

A Continuing Disability Review (CDR) is a routine review done by the Social Security Administration (SSA). CDRs are done to make sure that people receiving Social Security (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits are still disabled and entitled to those benefits.

Yes, if you are receiving SSI benefits you must report an inheritance to the SSA as additional income, even if you do not plan on accepting the inheritance. Failure to report an inheritance within ten days could result in monetary penalties charged monthly by the SSA or a suspension of your benefits.

Beginning in February 2002, Social Security benefits paid under Title II - Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits will be subject to the 15-percent levy through the Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP); to pay your delinquent tax debt.

After you attend your examination, you should expect to receive a Decision from DDS within a few months as to whether your Disability application has been approved or denied. It's important to note that if you are scheduled for an IMA appointment you must attend.

Not all CE Exams end in disability denials, but many do. It's sad, but very often these exams are scheduled just so that the examiner can have an excuse to close the case. While these kinds of exams are common, they're not always of a neutral intent.

Retroactive benefits cover a maximum of 12 months from your established onset date (EOD) through your application date. However, there is a five-month waiting period from your disability onset date.

Because there are so many applications that are filed each year, it takes time for the SSA to process and review each one. This review time can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months on average. Most people have their initial application denied. It doesn't mean that your case is over and that you should give up.

Are disability reviews backlogged? ›

The downside, of course, is that the longer it takes for your application to be approved, the longer you go without much needed benefits. Unfortunately, SSA statistics show that the disability backlog has increased over the past two years.

You can check the status of your application online using your personal my Social Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.