Obtaining SSD or SSI benefits can be a complicated process and it can take a long time to see it through. But even when you’ve completed the journey, you’ll still need to periodically update the Social Security Administration (SSA) on your status in order to continue receiving those benefits.
What is a continuing disability review?
A continuing disability review (CDR) is the SSA’s method of examining the current status of a recipient’s disability to ensure benefits remain appropriate. The review will often occur every three years, but it depends on the nature of the disability and whether there is an expectation that it will improve. If the SSA becomes aware of an improvement in the underlying condition, it can trigger a CDR earlier than three years. But if there is no expectation of improvement, five to seven years may elapse between CDR’s.
What can I do to help ensure the CDR goes well?
For starters, you should make and keep appointments with your doctor. It’s important that your doctor is aware of the difficulties you must deal with due to your disability. You want those difficulties in your medical record. In the absence of regular updates, either your doctor or the SSA may assume that you have improved, potentially leading to a negative result from your CDR.
Additionally, try to rigorously follow all treatments your doctor prescribes. If the SSA conducts a CDR and discovers you have not been adhering to your doctor’s orders, it can form the basis for a denial of benefits.
You will be required to fill out an updated form, either SSA-454 or SSA 455, for review. Take the time to fill it out correctly and seek assistance when needed. Complete and accurate information is critical to a positive CDR result. Inaccurate or conflicting information can be a red flag for the SSA, either prolonging the review or leading to a denial of benefits.