Continuing Disability Reviews Part II

Last week we examined continuing disability reviews. To recap, anyone who receives any kind of social security benefits will have to go through a CDR so the SSA can verify the recipient’s condition has not changed. The severity and predicted recovery time will dictate how often the CDR occur.

CDR for Children

The standards for children to qualify for benefits are different than the standards for adults. So when children who are receiving benefits turn 18 and legally become adults, they will have to go through a CDR to see if they now meet the standards to qualify for benefits as an adult.

If a newborn receives benefits for being underweight, they will be reviewed on their first birthday.

The Process

When it’s your turn to go in for a CDR the SSA will notify you by mail. In this letter the SSA will include some medical forms and questions regarding your disability. The type of disability will affect which form and questions the SSA sends you.

The SSA might ask you if you’ve been working in the past year, been hospitalized in the past year or had any recent medical tests, such as a blood test or X-ray. Most of the questions will pertain to the past year, but the SSA can go back much further than that.

If the SSA finds that your condition hasn’t improved, your benefit payments will continue as normal. However, if the SSA finds your condition has improved and you are no longer unable to work, your benefits will be stopped. The SSA will notify you of this decision and you will be able to appeal if you disagree.

The SSA may be unable to make a decision due to lack of data or contradictions, in which case a consultative examination will take place. This is an additional doctor’s exam that the SSA will pay for.

If you need help appealing a denial after a CDR call Jan Dils Attorneys at Law. With years of experience dealing with SSA denials and appeals, these attorneys will fight for your right to compensation.