Under proposed regulation changes introduced by the Social Security Administration in November 2019, individuals who receive Social Security disability insurance benefits will be subject to more frequent case review. The new rules were open for public comment through January 2020 and may take effect later this year.
If you receive SSDI or have recently become disabled, learn more about how the changes may affect your continued approval for benefits.
More frequent medical review
Currently, individuals receive a continuing disability review from the SSA:
- Within six to 18 months if they will likely recover from the disabling condition
- Every three years if they may recover from the disabling condition
- Every seven years if they are unlikely to recover from the disabling condition
Under the proposal, some individuals in the second and third categories will be subject to CDR every two years.
Who the proposal impacts
The SSA has yet to indicate who will fall into the new review category. However, the changes as described in the Federal Register will result in a projected $2.6 billion decrease in SSDI and SSI benefits paid over the next 10 years.
Many researchers speculate that so-called step five SSDI recipients will receive CDR more often. These individuals are typically older than 50 and have worked for many years in a physical job. After becoming injured, they cannot learn a new trade and can no longer perform the tasks of their previous profession.
The CDR process
The process of disability review is often onerous for those who receive benefits. Questionnaires for CDR often exceed 15 pages in length and may be too complex for individuals who have limited English literacy.
An attorney who understands the SSDI process and laws can assist with the CDR process as well as with initial SSDI applications. Because only about 40% of individuals receive approval for these benefits, you must complete your documents to the exact SSA specifications for consideration.
