Social Security (SSA) reviews the medical eligibility for disability benefits through Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs), with frequency depending on the likelihood of improvement: every 6-18 months if improvement is expected, about every 3 years if improvement is possible, and every 5 to 7 years if improvement is not expected (MINE). Your Notice of Award will state your specific review schedule, and while reviews are generally periodic, they can also be triggered by reports of work activity or changes in living arrangements.
We call this review a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). The law requires us to perform a medical CDR at least once every three years, however, if you have a medical condition that is not expected to improve, we will still review your case, once every five to seven years.
It just means that all the information regarding your claim is being reviewed: medical examiner reports, medical imaging, doctor's notes, accident reports, anything submitted in support of your claim. Also considered is wether you qualify for Social Security benefits.
A CDR is a periodic evaluation by the SSA to determine if SSDI or SSI recipients still qualify for disability benefits. How often reviews are conducted is based on the likelihood of your condition improving and potential triggers such as increased earnings, documented recovery, or failure to comply with treatment.
Each year we review the records for every working Social Security beneficiary to see if their additional earnings will increase their monthly benefit amount. If an increase is due, we calculate your new benefit amount and pay the increase retroactive to January following the year of earnings.
If improvement is expected, your first review generally will be 6 to 18 months after the date we determine your disability began. If improvement is possible, but can't be predicted, we'll review your case about every 3 years.
In general, your benefits will continue if you still have a disability that prevents you from working. Any person who receives disability benefits must have their medical conditions reviewed. How often we review your medical condition depends on whether your condition is likely to improve.
Still, it may surprise you to learn that it is very possible for you to lose some or all of the Social Security benefit you've been contributing toward throughout your career.
The 13 Blunders
Signs you'll likely be approved for disability include having thorough, consistent medical records, a condition that prevents substantial work for over a year, a medically documented inability to do your past job or learn a new one, and showing consistent doctor's orders compliance, especially if your job was physically demanding or your condition matches a "Blue Book" listing.
The Social Security Administration does not routinely conduct surveillance on people who file for disability. You shouldn't expect to see a van parked across the street from your office with a private investigator inside, snapping photos through your windows or when you step out to get the mail.
Red flags on a disability update report (SSA-455) for Social Security include earning above Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits, reporting your health has improved significantly or that a doctor says you can work, and significant gaps or inconsistencies in your medical treatment, as these suggest you may no longer meet the criteria for disability. Inconsistencies in answers or failing to return the form promptly also raise concerns for the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Payments may be suspended because the recipient has excess earnings, excess unearned income, excess resources, or a change in living arrangements. For the purposes of this book, individuals who have had their SSI payments suspended for 12 months or longer are considered terminated from the SSI program.
After a Social Security disability exam (Consultative Exam or CE), the decision timeline varies, but typically ranges from a few weeks to several months (2-6 months), depending on the completeness of records, agency workload, and case complexity, with some sources suggesting 6-8 weeks for the immediate post-exam period before overall processing adds time. Delays are common, with the entire initial determination often taking 3 to 6 months or longer from the application date, and factors like the doctor's report submission and quality reviews extend this.
Time Estimate: In California, the average wait time for a hearing is approximately 12 to 18 months from the date of the hearing request. After the hearing, it can take an additional two to three months to receive the judge's decision.
Social Security disability reviews (CDRs) are triggered by scheduled dates (based on expected improvement), reporting work activity or earnings, potential fraud/third-party tips, new medical treatments becoming available, or failure to follow prescribed treatments, all to verify you still meet disability criteria, though some work reviews are skipped after 24 months of benefits or during the Ticket to Work program.
As you make plans for your retirement, you may ask, “How much will I get from Social Security?” and “How is the amount of my benefit determined?” To determine your “basic benefit” or “primary insurance amount,” we adjust or “index” your highest 35 years of earnings to account for changes in average wages since the year ...
The extra $144 added to Social Security usually comes from the Medicare Part B Giveback benefit, offered by some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which pays back some or all your Part B premium, showing up as extra money in your check if it's deducted from your Social Security. To qualify, you need Original Medicare (Parts A & B), pay your own Part B premium, live in a plan's service area, and enroll in a specific Medicare Advantage plan that offers this "rebate," with the amount varying by plan and location.