Social Security is Stepping up Reviews of Beneficiaries

In the omnibus appropriations bill passed by Congress for the year 2010, SSA received a 10% increase in funding over 2009 levels.

Part of that increase has been set aside to fund SSA’s medical reviews of people who are currently on benefits, also called “continuing disability reviews” or CDRs.

At least $273 million must be used to fund these investigations.
And an additional $485 million has been allocated for the reviews.

SSA will periodically review your case if you are receiving disability benefits.

Usually cases are reviewed every three years; but some cases are reviewed more often.
Sometimes the judge’s decision will tell SSA to review you at a certain time.
Most people who are reviewed do not have their benefits stopped.

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

You will be asked to complete forms 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.

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

The very best thing you can do is to continue seeing your doctor. A lot of people with long-term chronic medical problems stop seeing their doctors because no treatment seems to help. This is a mistake. When SSA conducts its review, there won’t be any medical evidence to show that your condition is the same as it was when you were first found disabled.

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

The notice you will get from SSA after your “continuing disability review” will explain your appeal rights. Read this notice carefully, and contact an attorney if you receive one. You must file appeal paperwork within 60 days of the notice to appeal it.

But 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.

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