- Joined
- Apr 20, 2013
Here's a page that describes the tardbux review process: http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/re.../ssdi/keeping-benefits-continuing-reviews.htm
Triggered CDRs
In addition to the regularly scheduled CDRs, the SSA may conduct a continuing disability review in any of the following situations:
In addition to the regularly scheduled CDRs, the SSA may conduct a continuing disability review in any of the following situations:
- You return to work.
- You inform the SSA that your condition has improved.
- 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.
Continuing Disability Review Process
If your Social Security claim is up for review, the SSA will notify you by mail. The SSA will send you either a copy of the short form, Disability Update Report (SSA-455-OCR-SM), or the long form, Continuing Disability Review Report (SSA-454-BK), announcing a CDR. The short form is generally for those whose condition is not expected to improve, and is only two pages.
If your condition could improve, or if your answers on the short form send a red flag to the SSA, the agency will send you the long form, which is similar to the initial disability application and is ten pages long. On it the SSA asks whether you have seen a doctor or been hospitalized in the past year, whether you have had any recent tests in the past year, such as EKGs, blood tests, or x-rays, and whether you have been working, among other things.
You are encouraged to submit any updated medical evidence to the SSA, although the SSA may also obtain this on their own. In general, the SSA will be reviewing the period of 12 months prior to the notice, although the agency can look at evidence from any time after you were initially granted benefits.
If your Social Security claim is up for review, the SSA will notify you by mail. The SSA will send you either a copy of the short form, Disability Update Report (SSA-455-OCR-SM), or the long form, Continuing Disability Review Report (SSA-454-BK), announcing a CDR. The short form is generally for those whose condition is not expected to improve, and is only two pages.
If your condition could improve, or if your answers on the short form send a red flag to the SSA, the agency will send you the long form, which is similar to the initial disability application and is ten pages long. On it the SSA asks whether you have seen a doctor or been hospitalized in the past year, whether you have had any recent tests in the past year, such as EKGs, blood tests, or x-rays, and whether you have been working, among other things.
You are encouraged to submit any updated medical evidence to the SSA, although the SSA may also obtain this on their own. In general, the SSA will be reviewing the period of 12 months prior to the notice, although the agency can look at evidence from any time after you were initially granted benefits.
Medical Improvement Review Standard
Assuming you haven’t returned to work, Social Security will first determine if there has been medical improvement in your condition. If the answer is no, the continuing disability review process is complete, and your benefits will not be affected.
If the answer is yes, the SSA will then decide if the medical improvement affects your ability (or inability) to work. If it does not, you will continue to receive benefits. But if the SSA comes to the conclusion that your condition has improved to the point where you can return to work, you will be notified that your benefit payments will stop and will be given the chance to appeal the decision. How the SSA makes this decision is governed by guidelines that can be confusing; for more information on your chances that the SSA will find you have medically improved, see our article on the medical improvement review standard.
If the SSA feels that the evidence is insufficient to make a decision, or if there are inconsistencies between what you report and your medical evidence, you could be sent for a “consultative examination,” which is an examination by a doctor that is paid for by the SSA.
Assuming you haven’t returned to work, Social Security will first determine if there has been medical improvement in your condition. If the answer is no, the continuing disability review process is complete, and your benefits will not be affected.
If the answer is yes, the SSA will then decide if the medical improvement affects your ability (or inability) to work. If it does not, you will continue to receive benefits. But if the SSA comes to the conclusion that your condition has improved to the point where you can return to work, you will be notified that your benefit payments will stop and will be given the chance to appeal the decision. How the SSA makes this decision is governed by guidelines that can be confusing; for more information on your chances that the SSA will find you have medically improved, see our article on the medical improvement review standard.
If the SSA feels that the evidence is insufficient to make a decision, or if there are inconsistencies between what you report and your medical evidence, you could be sent for a “consultative examination,” which is an examination by a doctor that is paid for by the SSA.