A continuing disability review is a process conducted by the Social Security Administration, SSA – It is mainly done to analyze that the people receiving the benefits are still disabled or meet the disability eligibility for continuing the benefits.
If during a CDR, the Social Security Administration finds that you don't meet the eligibility conditions any longer, your benefits will be disabled.
Normally, it is much easier to pass through a CDR than get the disability benefits in the first place.
The CDR process
The continuing disability review process is carried out periodically at different intervals for each person, depending on their specific conditions.
- For children
A child who has been receiving the benefits will automatically have his/her disability benefits reviewed under CDR when they turn 18. That is because CDR is performed differently for children and adults. Once a child turns 18 they will be reviewed through the adult CDR process.
Newborns granted the SSI benefits will automatically have their benefits reviewed once they reach the one-year mark.
- For adults
While most cases would be reviewed automatically after every three to seven years depending on the severity of the disability and it's treatment, it would vary from case to case. Beneficiaries under the age of 50 will be reviewed more frequently regardless of the severity of the disability, since they are more prone to get recovered from the disability in the long run. While those with a permanent disability such as a lost limb or a chronic disease, for instance cancer, may have their disabilities reviewed even less than the seven year mark.
What triggers the CDR process?
Apart from the periodically conducted disability reviews, the Social Security Administration, SSA may also conduct instant reviews triggered by special events such as:
- The beneficiary got back to work
- The beneficiary's medical condition improved
- A third-party indicated to the SSA that the beneficiary is not following the treatment protocol
- Beneficiary informed the SSA of the improvement in their disability
- A new treatment for the beneficiary's disability condition was introduced
How to prepare for the CDR review process?
- Keep maintaining the medical records even after you have been granted the SSI or SSDI benefits
- Maintain a good relationship with your doctor and make sure you know all about the improvements or worsening of your or your loved one's disability
- Keep copies of the documents you sent to the SSA while applying for the benefits
- Also keep copies of the documents you received while granted the benefits; It is also imperative to keep records since the SSA is also prone to lose records
- Inform the SSA of any change in your mailing address lest you move homes; Note that the SSA would not be responsible for cancellation of your benefits because the mail did not reach the right beneficiary's address due to the uninformed change in the address
If Social Security states you are no longer disabled?
If the SSA terminated your benefits for any of the reasons above while you think you are still disabled or unable to work you may appeal to the CDR.You can contact a professional attorney to provide specific legal guidance for your case.