The Continuing Disability Review for SSD and SSI claims

How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

What is a Social Security Administration continuing disability review, or CDR? Periodically, the Social Security Administration reviews both Social Security disability and SSI disability claims, in an effort to determine if there has been medical improvement. Why is this done? Because claimants whose records later show that they have medically improved may potentially have their benefits stopped.

The periodic occurrence of a continuing disability review is based upon the likelihood of medical improvement. For instance, if you have an medical and/or mental impairment in which improvement may be considered "possible", then your continuing disability review will happen every three years or less. If you are an older individual or have a medical or mental condition that is considered to be permanent, your continuing disability review may occur every seven years or so.

What happens when your claim is selected for a continuing disability review? Your local Social Security office will contact you with a letter informing you that it is time for your CDR. Generally, Social Security will also send out the disability forms and medical releases for you to fill out and return, along with a continuing disability review interview appointment. Your continuing disability review may be completed by telephone or by an office appointment. In some cases, it may be done through the mail.

So, what is involved in a continuing disability review? Basically a continuing disability review is just an update of your medical treatment and work activity. If your medical and/or mental condition has not improved and you are still have not been able to return to work, your will likely have your disability benefits continued. In fact, the great majority of individuals who receive disability benefits have their benefits continued after a review has been conducted.

Conversely, if your medical records indicate that your medical and/or mental conditions have improved, or you have returned to work at a level considered to be substantial and gainful by Social Security, your disability benefits may be ceased.

Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page

Individual Questions and Answers

What Benefits come with SSI Disability?

Dire Need and Getting a Social Security Disability or SSI Case Speeded Up

The Qualification Criteria for Social Security Disability

Filing a Social Security Disability Application - How to File & the Information that is Needed by SSA

Is getting social security disability easier for mental or physical problems?

Applying for disability benefits in Ohio

Will SSD Be Based On Newer Or Older Medical Records?

What does SSA consider a severe impairment for Social Security Disability or SSI Disability Benefits?

If You are Denied for Disability, What Should You do First?

Does The Social Security Disability Reconsideration Have A Time Limit?

What is the Chance of Winning an SSA appeal for disability?

Methods of Eligibility for Social Security Disability Children Benefits

To qualify for Social Security disability or SSI, how severe must a condition be?

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Social Security Disability - What is considered earned income versus unearned income according to the SSA?

Who is eligible for SSI Disability?

If I get disability will my children receive benefits ?

ADHD, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

What makes a person eligible to receive disability benefits?

Filing an Application for Disability Benefits under SSD or SSI

Social Security Disability Mental Testing

Can You qualify for Social Security disability or SSI on the basis of anxiety or panic attacks ?

Will I Qualify For SSI, How Do I Get Approved?

How does work qualify you for disability ?

Who qualifies to Claim Disability Benefits under the SSD or SSI program?

How much does Social Security pay in disability benefits ?

Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Massachusetts

Fibromyalgia and disability

Can You Appeal A Decision By A Judge On A Social Security Disability or SSI Case?

How Long Will It Take For A Decision Letter For Social Security Disability?

Social Security Disability SSI and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials