1. Purpose of Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs)

The SSA conducts Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) to ensure that recipients continue to meet the agency’s strict definition of disability. The primary goals of these reviews are:

• To confirm your medical condition has not improved significantly
• To ensure you are still unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA)
• To detect any changes in your income, resources, or living situation that may affect SSI eligibility

2. Frequency of Disability Reviews

The frequency of your CDR depends on the severity of your condition and the likelihood of improvement:

• Medical Improvement Expected (MIE): Review every 6-18 months
• Medical Improvement Possible (MIP): Review approximately every 3 years
• Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE): Review approximately every 5-7 years

Your initial award notice will indicate which category applies to you.

3. What Happens During a Disability Review?

The disability review process typically involves:

• Receiving a notice: SSA will send you a letter notifying you that a review is being conducted.
• Completing forms: You may be asked to fill out either:
• Form SSA-455 Disability Update Report (short form): Used when SSA does not anticipate improvement
• Form SSA-454 Continuing Disability Review Report (long form): Used when SSA needs detailed information about your condition, treatment, and daily functioning
• Providing medical records: SSA may request updated records from your doctors, hospitals, and treatment centers.
• Consultative examinations: If your medical records are insufficient, SSA may schedule an exam with a contracted doctor to evaluate your current condition.
• SSA determination: After reviewing all evidence, SSA will decide whether your benefits continue or terminate.

4. Criteria for Benefits Continuation or Termination

For your benefits to continue, SSA must determine that:

• Your medical condition has not improved significantly, or
• Even if improvement is noted, you still cannot perform substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to limitations caused by your condition

SSA evaluates your claim under the medical improvement review standard (MIRS) to determine whether medical improvement relates to your ability to work.

5. What Happens If SSA Decides to Terminate Benefits?

If SSA concludes that your disability has improved and you can work:

• You will receive a notice of cessation, explaining the decision
• You can appeal this decision within 60 days by requesting:
• Reconsideration: Your case will be reviewed again, and you can submit additional evidence
• Continuation of benefits during appeal: You must request this within 10 days of the notice if you wish to keep receiving benefits while your appeal is pending

6. How to Prepare for a Disability Review

To increase your chances of continuing benefits:

• Maintain regular medical treatment: Continued treatment demonstrates that your condition remains serious.
• Keep detailed medical records: Ensure all tests, treatment notes, and doctor opinions are updated and accessible.
• Report changes honestly: Always inform SSA of any changes in your condition, work activity, or income.
• Stay organized: Keep copies of all SSA correspondence and forms you submit.