What Is a Social Security Continuing Disability Review (CDR?)

For most people, being approved for Social Security disability benefits is a huge relief–the process can be long, tedious, and stressful. While benefits will commence nearly immediately after a claim for disability benefits is approved, benefits will not continue for an applicant’s life without an ongoing review from the SSA.

If you are someone who has had their application for Social Security disability benefits approved and is receiving disability benefits, here’s an overview of what you should know about the continuing disability review process and how an experienced Social Security disability benefits attorney can help.

What Is a Continuing Disability Review?

A continuing disability review is a review of your eligibility for disability benefits that’s undertaken by the SSA. Also known as a CDR, at the conclusion of the disability review process, your benefits will cease if the SSA determines that you no longer meet the eligibility requirements.

Two Types of Continuing Disability Reviews

There are two types of continuing disability reviews that the SSA conducts: 

• Medical continuing disability review. A medical continuing disability review is a review that’s undertaken to determine if you are still blind or disabled; if you are not, your benefits will cease. According to the SSA, they are required to perform a medical continuing disability review once every three years. If the SSA finds that you have a medical condition that is expected to improve sooner than that, then the medical continuing disability review will be conducted sooner than three years after the date that your original claim for disability benefits was approved. In some cases, the CDR may occur less frequently; for example, if the SSA determines that you have a disability that is not expected to improve, then your case will be reviewed once every five to seven years.

• Work continuing disability review. In addition to a medical continuing disability review, you will need to undergo a work continuing disability review as well. The work review is fairly straightforward: the SSA will look at your monthly earnings (if you are working) to determine whether or not you are still eligible for benefits; if you make more than a certain amount each month, then the SSA will conclude that you are engaging in “Substantial Gainful Activity” and your benefits will cease. 

How to Prepare for a Continuing Disability Review

Being scheduled for a continuing disability review can be intimidating and stressful; however, if you are still disabled and not engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity, there is no reason why your benefits shouldn’t continue. That being said, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your continuing disability review and streamline the process:

• First, keep copies of all of your documents and have these organized and ready to go upon the SSA’s request. Documents should include your medical documents, all documents that you submitted to the SSA during your original application, and any new medical reports, diagnostic and radiology reports or other documents about your disability–including documents directly from the SSA–that you have received since having your claim approved.
• The second thing that you can do is simply to keep the SSA informed of any moves or changes in mailing address that you experience; if you don’t, you may fail to receive the documents sent by the SSA informing you of the CDR.
• Finally, one of the best things that you can do is hire a Social Security disability benefits attorney. An experienced attorney will be familiar with the CDR process and can help you to prepare for the process. What’s more, if the SSA finds that you are no longer disabled or blind and you disagree with the determination, your attorney can represent you during the appeals process.

Call Our Social Security Disability Benefits Attorneys Today

At the law office of Baker & Baker PLLC, our disability benefits attorneys know how important it is that you continue receiving your Social Security disability benefits. If you are scheduled for a continuing disability review or if the SSA has recently determined that you are no longer eligible for disability benefits, we can help. We have experience at all stages of the disability review process, including appeals.

Please call our law firm directly today at (850) 433-0888, send us a text message directly (850) 433-0888, or visit our law office in-person at your convenience. Our lawyers are here to advocate for you.