If you receive monthly Social Security disability benefit payments, you will need to routinely have a continuing disability review (CDR). This process allows the Social Security Administration (SSA) to evaluate your ongoing eligibility for benefits.
A CDR typically includes answering questions on a form about your disability and current treatment. A CDR is not as challenging or time-consuming as applying for disability benefits, but we’ll go over what to expect and offer tips for how to pass a continuing disability review.
What is a continuing disability review?
A continuing disability review (CDR) is a periodic review to evaluate eligibility for Social Security disability recipients. As part of the review, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients complete forms with their most recent medical history. The CDR will also evaluate a recipient’s capacity to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
There are two types of CDRs:
Medical Continuing Disability Review (M-CDR). A medical CDR looks at your condition and the status of your impairment. If things have improved enough, the SSA might terminate your benefits.
Work Continuing Disability Review (W-CDR). If you are working, the SSA might do a Work CDR to evaluate if you exceed SGA, which could affect your eligibility and lead to a suspension of disability benefits.
What to expect with a CDR
The SSA will send instructions in the mail when it’s time for your first review. A CDR usually involves filling out a form, submitting your most recent medical records, and waiting for the SSA to review the information.
If your medical records are insufficient, you may need to undergo a consultative exam with one of the SSA’s doctors. The entire process takes anywhere from a few months to a year until the SSA decides if your benefits will continue.
Do most people pass a CDR?
Yes, more than 90% of recipients pass continuing disability reviews. It is much more difficult to get disability claims approved in the first place than it is to pass a CDR.
How often does the SSA conduct CDRs?
The SSA conducts periodic reviews on a predetermined schedule. For many disability recipients, a CDR occurs every three years, but the timeline differs for different groups:
Recipients under 50 have their cases reviewed more often than those over 50.
Recipients in the Medical Improvement Expected (MIE) category might have CDRs more frequently than every three years. CDRs may start as soon as six to 18 months after you begin receiving payments. You’ll also have to fill out a long form and provide additional information about your disability update report.
Recipients whose medical condition is not expected to improve will need a continuing disability review once every seven years. You’ll only need to fill out a short form when you need a CDR.
Regardless of your situation, when the SSA lets you know that you’ve won disability benefits, they should also tell you when to expect your first medical review.
What triggers a continuing disability review?
The SSA usually schedules CDRs at specific intervals — approximately every three years after you begin receiving benefits. You might receive a notification for a CDR if:
You engage in substantial gainful activity. If you start doing any type of work that earns you more than $1,550 per month (the 2024 limit), this might flag your case for the SSA to conduct a CDR.
Your health improves. The SSA might schedule a CDR if your condition is expected to improve or if you report an improvement in your health to your doctor.
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3 tips for passing a CDR
The best practices for passing a continuing disability review are similar to getting disability in the first place. You’re more likely to pass a CDR by following these tips:
Be responsive. Let the SSA know immediately if any non-medical information changes, such as your address. If the SSA contacts you for additional information about your application, respond as quickly and comprehensively as possible.
Follow your medical treatment protocols. Comply with any of the treatments your doctors have recommended to show the SSA you’re doing everything in your power to help your condition improve.
Keep up-to-date medical records. See your providers frequently so your medical records are current. You should document the treatment you’re undergoing, too. This all serves as medical evidence that you must submit to help your case on a continuing disability review report.
3 reasons you might fail a CDR
If your medical condition has improved, the SSA might decide to terminate your benefits. Here are three reasons you might “fail” a CDR and lose benefits:
Your condition has improved. If your disability has improved enough that the SSA decides you can work, they will terminate your benefits.
You’re engaging in SGA. You will likely fail a CDR if you’re working at a substantial level (earning over $1,550 per month).
You are not cooperating. If you have not been attending your medical appointments, or provided false information to the SSA, these could be grounds for failing a CDR.
If the SSA decides to terminate your disability benefits after your CDR review process, you have 60 days to appeal this decision. You must request in writing to continue receiving benefits within 10 days of receiving notice. If you continue to receive payments during the appeal, and the SSA ultimately determines you are no longer eligible, you will likely have to pay the money back for that period.
Get help with your disability claim
Your disability lawyer can help you with every stage of the disability process, including a continuing disability review. A disability attorney can gather updated medical records, help you prepare for a concultative exam, and communicate with the SSA about your CDR report.
FAQs
While CDRs are a hurdle for disability recipients to cross, it is generally much easier to pass a CDR than it is to be granted Social Security disability benefits in the first place. Recent studies by the SSA have found that Social Security disability benefits are continued after CDRs more than 95 percent of the time.
How to pass a continuing disability review? ›
How to Pass a Continuing Disability Review (7 Easy Ways)
- Hire an Experienced Social Security Disability Attorney. ...
- Follow Your Medical Treatment Protocol. ...
- Maintain Communication with Your Doctors. ...
- Keep Copies of Accurate and Complete Medical Documentation. ...
- Submit All New Medical Evidence Before the Review.
While CDRs are a hurdle for disability recipients to cross, it is generally much easier to pass a CDR than it is to be granted Social Security disability benefits in the first place. Recent studies by the SSA have found that Social Security disability benefits are continued after CDRs more than 95 percent of the time.
What triggers a continuing disability review? ›
Social Security periodically reviews your medical impairment(s) to determine if you continue to have a disabling condition. If we determine that you are no longer disabled or blind, your benefits will stop. We call this review a Continuing Disability Review (CDR).
What questions are asked on a disability review? ›
At the review, we'll ask how your medical condition affects you and whether it's improved. We'll ask you to bring: • Your doctors' names, addresses, and phone numbers. Any patient record numbers for any hospitals and other medical sources that have treated you since we last contacted you.
What triggers a CDR review? ›
Triggered CDRs
Your medical evidence indicates that your condition has improved. A third party informs the SSA that you are not following your treatment protocol, or. A new treatment for your disabling condition has recently been introduced.
What happens during a CDR review? ›
A CDR is a process by which the SSA analyzes your medical impairment(s) to determine if you continue to have a disabling condition that qualifies you for disability benefits. If the SSA finds that your condition has improved and you are no longer disabled or blind, then your benefits will terminate.
What is the acceptance rate for CDR? ›
Fortunately, you can rest assured that your benefits are likely not going anywhere. In fact, 90% of beneficiaries who receive a CDR are approved for continued benefits. However, knowing what to expect from a CDR and the information you will be asked to provide will further increase your likelihood of approval.
At what age do CDRs stop? ›
When you turn 50, the SSA will reschedule CDRs to occur every 5 to 7 years – even if you would previously have to undergo a CDR every 3 years because your medical condition is expected to improve. Similarly, when you are 55 or older or 60 or older, you will only undergo a CDR every 5 to 7 years.
How long does a CDR take to complete? ›
Others must complete the long-form, SSA-454, the Continuing Disability Review Report. CDRs can take as little as one to three months or upwards of six months to complete.
While it's essential to be thorough when discussing your disability, you should avoid mentioning unrelated medical issues or conditions. Only discuss the disabling medical problems directly related to your disability claim. Bringing up minor or unrelated issues may confuse or distract the SSA representative.
What is the most approved disability? ›
What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.
Is a continuing disability review for mental illness? ›
As such, they are usually labeled as Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE). Beneficiaries with permanent psychological disorders are generally subjected to CDR once every five to seven years. But if the SSA determines your mental disability is treatable, you will be scheduled to a CDR more often.
What to say and not to say at a disability doctor? ›
To best support your SSDI or SSI claim, you should never:
- Say You Are Okay. Do not tell the doctor you are “o*kay,” “fine,” or “pretty good” when you are there for an assessment of your condition. ...
- Tell Them You Are Not in Pain. ...
- Downplay Your Condition. ...
- Exaggerate Your Symptoms or Disabilities. ...
- Give Your Opinion.
7 tips for answering questions at a disability hearing
- Only answer questions if someone asks you directly.
- Be specific.
- Don't over-explain.
- Don't exaggerate or minimize your symptoms.
- Answer based on how you feel most days.
- Stay consistent with the information in your application.
- Be polite.
The Social Security five-year rule is the time period in which you can file for an expedited reinstatement after your Social Security disability benefits have been terminated completely due to work.
How long does a Social Security continuing disability review take? ›
If medical improvement is: Expected, we'll normally review your medical condition within 6 to 18 months after our decision. Possible, we'll normally review your medical condition about every 3 years. Not expected, we'll normally review your medical condition about every 7 years.
How long does it take for Social Security to do a continuing disability review? ›
Others must complete the long-form, SSA-454, the Continuing Disability Review Report. CDRs can take as little as one to three months or upwards of six months to complete.
Can you appeal a continuing disability review? ›
60 Days to Submit Appeal: You have 60 days (+5 for mailing) from the date on the notice to submit an appeal form. SSA will direct you to use one of these forms to file your appeal: a. Form 789 – Request for Reconsideration, Disability Cessation i.
How often are continuing disability reviews? ›
If your disability is not considered permanent but is such that any medical improvement in your impairment(s) cannot be accurately predicted, we will review your continuing eligibility for disability benefits at least once every 3 years.
