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Continuing Disability Review (CDR)
The Social Security Administration periodically conducts a continuing disability review (CDR) of your Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance claim. The purpose of a CDR is to verify that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements of the program and receive future benefit payments.
A CDR need not be a cause of concern or alarm, but you must take steps to prepare for it. The first thing to do is speak with a top continuing disability review lawyer at Sackett and Associates. The lawyer can answer all your questions about the review and help you to prepare for it.
What is a continuing disability review?
The SSA is required to periodically review disability claims to determine that the disabling condition that lets you qualify for benefits continues to exist. If it finds that the physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that made you initially eligible for benefits has improved to the point that you no longer meet the SSA definition for “disabled,” your benefits will be terminated.
How frequently does Social Security conduct a CDR?
Federal law requires that a CDR be conducted by the SSA at least once every three to five years, but it really depends on whether there is an expectation of improvement in your medical condition. If an improvement is expected, you can anticipate a CDR about every three years. Conditions where improvement is unlikely may be scheduled for a CDR every five to seven years.
Things to know about a CDR
The primary focus of a CDR is your disability, but Social Security may also use it to review non-medical eligibility requirements of the program through which you receive benefits. For example, if you receive SSI benefits, you may be asked for information about the following:
- Sources of income
- Resources
- Living arrangements
When a CDR is used to look at non-medical issues related to your eligibility for benefits, it is referred to as a redetermination. A redetermination is also conducted when a disabled child who receives SSI benefits reaches age 18.
Children qualify for disability benefits through SSI under a different definition for “disabled” than the one used for adults. An 18-year-old must meet the medical standards applied to adults for SSI benefits to continue.
What happens during a CDR?
The CDR notice will contain a request for information that you must provide to the SSA. If no improvement is expected in your medical condition, you may receive a short form to complete and return to the SSA.
Regardless of whether you get a request for information or a short form to fill out, you should contact a disability lawyer for advice and guidance. If you ignore the request or fail to respond within the time provided, your benefits may be terminated.
Learn more about CDRs from experienced disability lawyers
The best way to handle a CDR is by first speaking to a Social Security disability lawyer to get advice about what to do. Sackett and Associates has been the continuing disability review lawyer Northern California residents have relied upon for more than 40 years. Contact us today to speak with one of our disability lawyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Continuing Disability Review (CDR)?The Social Security Administration is required to conduct a review of your medical condition(s) every 3-5 years to determine whether you remain disabled and eligible to continue to receive benefits.
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What happens during a Continuing Disability Review (CDR)?The Social Security Administration will review your current medical records and may ask you to complete questionnaires and/or attend medical examinations to confirm that you still have a qualifying disability.
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Will I lose my benefits?Generally, if your health has not improved, and if your disability still keeps you from working, you will continue to receive your benefits. However, if Social Security finds during a CDR the medical evidence shows your impairments have improved and you are able to work, you work, then you will no longer be eligible to receive disability benefits.
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Will my monthly payments continue during a Continuing Disability Review?Your payments may continue during a CDR if you file an appeal within 10 days of being notified your disability benefits are under review. You should also contact Sackett and Associates to represent you for the Continuing Disability Review.
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What should I do?We strongly recommend you continue with treatment for the condition(s) for which you were found disabled, so you can provide the necessary documentation which shows you are still disabled. If you would like to retain Sackett and Associates to represent you in your Continuing Disability Review, please contact our office to schedule an intake appointment.