CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEWS

WHAT IS 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).  The law requires us to perform a medical CDR at least once every three years, however, if you have a medical condition that is not expected to improve, we will still review your case, once every five to seven years.  We will reach out to you to obtain updated information about your condition using the SSA-454 (Continuing Disability Review Report) or SSA-455 (Disability Update Report) form. Those who receive the SSA-455 now have the option to complete the Disability Update Report (SSA-455) form online.

During the CDR, we will also review your income, resources, and living arrangements to ensure that you continue to meet the non-medical program requirements. We call this periodic review a Redetermination. For more information on SSI redeterminations, see our chapter on REDETERMINATIONS.

HOW DO WE CONDUCT CONTINUING DISABILITY REVIEWS FOR A CHILD?

For a child, SSA initiates a CDR at least once every 3 years if we expect the child’s medical condition may improve.  We may also initiate a CDR if we do not expect the child’s condition to improve.

If we decided the child was disabled based on low birth weight, we will generally initiate a CDR by age 1. However, if we initially decide that medical improvement in the child’s medical condition(s) is unlikely to occur by age 1, we will schedule the child’s CDR after age 1

During the CDR, we may ask the child’s representative payee to provide evidence that the child is, and has been, continuing treatment that is medically necessary and appropriate for their medical condition. 

If the child's representative payee refuses to provide the necessary evidence without good cause, we may look for another representative payee. We may also decide to pay the child directly, if he or she is old enough to receive their own benefits.

See representative payee for more information.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY CHILDHOOD DISABILITY AT AGE 18?

If you are eligible for disability benefits as a child, 2 months prior to attaining age 18, we will review your case.  During this review, we will determine if your current medical condition(s) meets the disability requirements as an adult.  When we initiate the medical redetermination, we will use the adult criteria to determine if you are eligible for disability benefits. We use the same criteria for adults who file new SSI applications.

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