Events that trigger an SSDI Continuing Disability Review

Getting approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits often brings great relief to disabled workers in Oregon. The regular checks ease the financial difficulties that can consume your life after an injury or illness made earning a living impossible. The arrival of a letter from the Social Security Administration declaring that you must complete a Continuing Disability Review typically concerns recipients. If the review finds that you no longer qualify as disabled, then benefits will stop. As an SSDI recipient, you will encounter these reviews from time to time.

Timing of disability reviews

The classification of your medical condition influences how often you can expect your case to undergo a review. Social Security examiners will time your reviews based on the:

• Expectation of medical improvement
• Possibility of medical improvement
• Small likelihood of medical improvement

If your medical records indicate a strong possibility of improvement, the SSA could review your case every six to 18 months. A slight chance of medical improvement calls for a case review about every three years. For recipients with conditions unlikely to ever improve, the SSA reviews their cases every five to seven years.

A review may also happen after:

• Earning income from work
• Completing vocational training

Completing the disability review

As with all things related to your SSDI benefits, you will have new forms to fill out for your review. The SSA may order a new medical exam. To pass your review, you will have to meet the same requirements that originally authorized your SSDI payments.

Continued disability depends on:

• Expectation of at least 12 more months of disability
• Inability to perform physical activities necessary for income-producing work
• Inability to do your previous job
• Condition meeting definitions within the Listing of Impairments

The government expects you to comply with the review. An appeals process does exist if you need to dispute the revocation of benefits. Due to the financial importance of your disability benefits, you may wish to consult a lawyer as you prepare to undergo a review.