The good news is that passing a CDR is usually not as time-consuming, stressful, or challenging as the initial process to get Social Security Disability benefits. However, the CDR is still a critical process that could affect your ability to receive benefits.
Social Security periodically reviews your medical impairment(s) to determine if you continue to have a disabling condition. If we determine that you are no longer disabled or blind, your benefits will stop.
``Under review'' means that SSA is reviewing the DDS decision made on your case as part of their quality assurance review process. Once this review is complete, the determination is sent to the field office for further processing. The decision may be favorable or unfavorable to you.
If the medical evidence you provide isn't up to date then an exam may be requested. Every three years that you are on disability, a disability review will be conducted by Social Security, but the time frame may change depending on your condition and when improvements are expected to be made.
Step 2: A medical screen to deny applicants without a severe impairment. An applicant is denied at step 2 if his or her impairment(s) is considered not severe.
The SecurityStat process
On average, field offices should take a combined total of 19 days to do two things: first, to check the non-medical requirements, and then, after the DDS review, to make a decision. DDS should complete its medical review within an average processing time of 180 days.
What are the signs that Social Security is investigating you? Signs may include increased communication from the SSA, requests for documentation, discrepancies in records, monitoring of changes in your circumstances, patterns of claims, interviews or home visits, and suspicious activity reports.
Step 3 – Does the Impairment Meet or Equal the Listing? This step is critical as it is the first point at which a person can be found disabled. Ideally, there is enough information for the DDS adjudicator to make a disability determination at this step.
The Final Review Process
While the medical review focuses on whether your disability meets the Social Security Administration's (SSA) criteria, the non-medical review ensures you meet other essential eligibility requirements.
Fortunately, you can rest assured that your benefits are likely not going anywhere. In fact, 90% of beneficiaries who receive a CDR are approved for continued benefits. However, knowing what to expect from a CDR and the information you will be asked to provide will further increase your likelihood of approval.
Refrain from voicing personal opinions about your condition, treatment, or the disability determination process during the exam. Stick to factual information about your symptoms and medical history. Offering opinions can detract from the objective evaluation required for your claim.
Overall, however, the most approved disability for Social Security is disabilities involving the musculoskeletal system and/or connective tissues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), such conditions include arthritis, back pain, and lupus.
The so-called “five-year rule” for Social Security disability allows people who have already received disability benefits to skip a required waiting period in the re-application process after they've returned to work.
If red flags have been raised about your disability, Social Security may hire a private investigator to “catch” you performing activities you have previously stated you can not because of your disability.
Generally, CDI units investigate suspected fraud before the agency awards benefits, and support the Continuing Disability Review and redetermination processes when fraud may be involved. CDI investigations typically begin with a report of suspected fraud from SSA, State DDS, law enforcement, or the public.
For those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the short answer is yes, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can check your bank accounts because you have to give them permission to do so.
Do not tell the doctor you are “okay,” “fine,” or “pretty good” when you are there for an assessment of your condition. Even saying this out of habit could jeopardize your claim. Be honest about your complaints, symptoms, and other details of your condition.
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.
How Far Back Will SSDI Cover? Minus the five-month waiting period, you should receive back payments for any delays. The maximum SSDI will provide in back payments is 12 months. Your disability would have to start 12 months before you applied to receive the maximum in SSDI benefits.
What Is a 100% Disability Rating? A 100 percent disability rating, or total disability rating, is the highest rating VA can assign for service-connected compensation purposes. VA reserves this rating for veterans with extremely debilitating service-connected conditions.
An addiction to alcohol, nicotine or any other substance isn't a disability.