Learn about CDRs and how they may affect your ability to continue receiving Social Security Disability benefits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is required by law to periodically review the case of every person who receives disability benefits. This process is called a continuing disability review (CDR) and is meant to identify recipients who might no longer qualify as disabled. If the SSA concludes after its CDR that your medical condition has improved enough that you can return to work, your Social Security benefits will end.
How Often Do Continuing Disability Reviews Happen?
The SSA sets most cases for review every three or seven years, depending on factors such as your age and how likely it is that you'll be able to improve enough to return to work. You can have a CDR scheduled even sooner than three years if you have a condition that is expected to medically improve. Or, if you have a condition that's permanent or not expected to improve—such as a lost limb or impaired intellectual functioning—your claim might be reviewed less than every seven years.
People under the age of 50 will have their claims reviewed more often than people older than 50.
CDRs for Children
Children who receive SSI disability benefits automatically have their claims reviewed when they turn 18. The standards for childhood disability and adult disability are different, so at age 18, the claim will be evaluated under the adult standards. Newborns who receive SSI due to a low birth weight will have their claims reviewed before the one-year mark.
Triggered CDRs
In addition to holding regularly scheduled CDRs, the SSA may conduct a continuing disability review in any of the following situations:
- You return to work (unless you've been receiving SSDI benefits for at least 24 months).
- You inform the SSA that your condition has improved.
- Your medical evidence indicates that your condition has improved.
- A third party informs the SSA that you are not following your treatment protocol, or
- A new treatment for your disabling condition has recently been introduced.
For more information, see our article on how often disability reviews happen.
How to Pass a Continuing Disability Review
Most of the time, passing a CDR is a lot easier than getting disability benefits in the first place. If your condition hasn't improved enough for you to be able to return to work, Social Security will complete the review and your benefits won't be affected. But if the SSA finds that your condition has improved to the point where you can return to work, the agency will notify you that your benefits will stop. If that happens, you can choose to appeal the decision. You can choose to continue receiving benefits while your appeal is being considered.
The best way to make sure your CDR goes smoothly is to get regular medical treatment and to keep the SSA in the loop regarding your medical records. The agency will want to see that you're still going to the doctor, following your doctors' recommendations, and trying any new treatments that could help you improve enough to return to work. Without medical records, the SSA can assume that your condition improved so much that you no longer need treatment, and end your benefits. (For more information, see our article on the medical improvement review standard.)
What Is the CDR Review Process?
The SSA will mail you the short form Disability Update Report when your claim is up for review. Make sure that you answer this two-page form honestly. The form contains questions about how you feel your health has changed, what medical treatment you've received, and any work you've done.
If your answers on the short form send a red flag to the SSA (for example, if you say you've been working full-time and haven't received any recent medical treatment), the agency will send you a longer form, the Continuing Disability Review Report, which is ten pages and similar to the initial disability application. Learn more about the short and long forms here.
You're encouraged to submit any updated medical evidence to the SSA (the agency sometimes, but not always, gets the evidence for you), so it can be helpful to keep copies of your medical records. The SSA generally reviews your medical records from 12 months before your CDR to look for evidence of improvement, but the agency can look at evidence from any time after you were initially granted benefits.
If Social Security doesn't think it has enough evidence to make a decision, or if inconsistencies exist between what you report and your medical evidence, you might be asked to attend a consultative examination. Consultative examinations are paid for by Social Security, but are conducted by independent doctors who can help the agency determine if you're still disabled.
If Social Security Finds You Are No Longer Disabled
If Social Security decides to terminate your benefits because you are no longer disabled and are able to work, you can appeal the CDR decision. See our article on collecting continuing disability benefits while you appeal for information on when your disability benefit checks will stop.
Updated June 30, 2022
As an expert in disability law and the intricacies of Social Security Disability benefits, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. I have extensively researched and analyzed the policies and procedures of the Social Security Administration (SSA), and I am well-versed in the nuances of Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) and their impact on individuals receiving disability benefits.
Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) are a critical aspect of the Social Security Disability benefits system. The SSA is mandated by law to conduct periodic reviews of every individual receiving disability benefits to assess whether their medical condition has improved to the extent that they can return to work. This process is not arbitrary; it is a legal requirement aimed at ensuring that disability benefits are allocated to those who genuinely need them.
The frequency of CDRs varies, with the SSA typically scheduling reviews every three or seven years. The timing is influenced by factors such as age and the likelihood of medical improvement. Individuals under 50 may undergo more frequent reviews than those over 50. Additionally, children receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have their claims automatically reviewed when they turn 18, transitioning to adult standards.
Several triggers may prompt an unscheduled CDR, including a return to work, self-reporting of improved conditions, third-party reports of non-compliance with treatment protocols, or the introduction of a new treatment for the disabling condition.
Passing a CDR hinges on demonstrating that your medical condition has not improved sufficiently to enable a return to work. Regular medical treatment and keeping the SSA informed about medical records are crucial. The SSA assesses your responses to the Disability Update Report, and if red flags are raised, a more comprehensive Continuing Disability Review Report may be issued.
Submitting updated medical evidence is encouraged, and maintaining personal copies of medical records can be beneficial. The SSA typically reviews medical records from the 12 months preceding the CDR but may consider evidence from any time after the initial grant of benefits.
In case the SSA determines that you are no longer disabled and terminates your benefits, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal process allows you to continue receiving benefits during the consideration of your case.
In conclusion, staying informed about the CDR process, actively participating in it, and maintaining clear communication with the SSA are crucial elements for individuals receiving Social Security Disability benefits. These practices can significantly impact the outcome of a CDR and ensure continued support for those with legitimate disabilities.
