Be Sure To Check The Status Of Your Claim
Welcome to Disability Benefits Help, an organization committed to helping claimants across the United States receive approval for disability benefits.
Since applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a difficult process, a disability attorney or advocate may increase your chances of being awarded benefits by helping accurately and favorably complete the complex paperwork, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and providing you with representation at a hearing. After submitting our web form, you will receive a 100% FREE evaluation of your disability claim. Disability attorneys and advocates receive compensation if you are awarded back benefits. We have no affiliation with the Social Security Administration, the agency at which you can apply for Social Security disability at no cost.
Everyone makes mistakes and mix ups can occur, thus it is important to take it upon yourself to regularly check the status of your Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income claim, rather than wait for the Social Security Administration to provide you with updates.
Ways To Check The Status Of Your Application
There are two ways to check the status of your Social Security disability status:
- You can check the status of your disability status online at the SSA website. It takes a minute or so to locate your Social Security disability status, but this is the most convenient and fastest way to find out the status of your application. You’ll need to create a “my Social Security” account online, which should take only a short time.
- You contact the SSA by phone and speak with a representative. They will be able to let you know when your application was turned over to your local Disability Determination Services office. Since these offices process your application, talking to one of their representatives will provide you with detailed information regarding the status of your claim.
For both methods of checking your application, you will need:
- Your Personal Information
Will It Stop My Disability Benefits
Most of the time it wont, but its possible depending on your case.
There are two things that can stop your disability benefits.
First, if Social Security found out that you have medically improved and that youre no longer considered disabled.
Second, if they found out that youve engaged in a substantial gainful activity . This means that you can already earn what you used to earn before your disability. Or youre earning more than the SGA threshold. The amount changes every year but for 2021, its $1,310 per month.
In general, if youre still disabled and unable to work, you wont have to worry about losing your benefits.
Don’t Miss: National Committee To Preserve Social Security And Medicare
Questions To Ask About Your Disability Claim
While the main question is whether or not your disability claim has been approved, there are some others you may also want to have answered:
- Do I need to do anything else? Many times a disability claim will get slowed down because the SSA is waiting or paperwork. By asking if you need to do anything else, they can let you know if there is any other information they need. This not only helps speed up the process, but will give you a sense of being in control of your own destiny.
- How long do I Need to Wait? If you are not sure how much longer the process is going to take, ask. Many people who are going through the disability application process feel like their lives are in limbo. Sometimes weeks can seem like months, and months can seem like years. By asking how long you have to wait for a decision, you can feel like you have an end in sight.
For specific information about checking on your application during the different stages of the application process , you can take a look at our page about it:
Getting Notified Of A Benefits Decision
If a decision has been reached by the SSA, checking your claims status online will provide this information much faster.
You will also receive notification of a benefits decision by getting an official letter from the SSA detailing the reason why your claim was approved or denied. An SSA representative may even call you in certain cases. You can also check your bank account every few days to see if a deposit has been made.
Read Also: Disadvantages Of Social Security Disability
The Waiting Might Be The Hardest Part: How Long Does Social Security Disability Review Take
The information in this article is current as of 10/8/2021. This article does not constitute legal advice.
If youre one of the ten million Americans who count on Social Security Disability, you probably already know that Social Security will periodically review your condition and your benefits.
If youve received and returned your paperwork for a disability review and are still waiting for the response, you probably have a simple question: how long does Social Security Disability review take?
The answer to this question may surprise you, but it may also bring you peace of mind, especially when you are worried about paying your rent and keeping your family fed. So keep reading to discover the answer and other important information you need to know!
How Long Does Social Security Disability Review Take
All of this brings us back to the big question: how long does the Social Security disability review take?
As we touched on before, it all depends on which form you get at first and whether the administration follows on with a complete medical review. This means it could take anywhere between one month or six months to get a response.
If you are ever concerned about how long your review is taking, dont hesitate to reach out to Social Security with your questions.
You May Like: How Do Social Security Numbers Work
The Disability Application Process
Whether you apply online, by phone, or in person, the disability benefits application process follows these general steps:
- You gather the information and documents you need to apply. We recommend you print and review the . It will help you gather the information and documents you need to complete the application.
- You complete and submit your application.
- We review your application to make sure you meet our for disability benefits.
- We confirm you worked enough years to qualify.
- We evaluate any current work activities.
- We process your application and forward your case to the Disability Determination Services office in your state.
- This state agency makes the disability determination decision.
To learn more about who decides if you have a disability, read our publication .
Once You’ve Applied
Once we receive your application, well review it and contact you if we have questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can proceed.
Look For Our Response
When the state agency makes a determination on your case, youll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. If you included information about other family members when you applied, well let you know if they may be able to receive benefits on your record.
Check The Status
You can check the status of your application online using your personal mySocial Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Why Is My Social Security Disability Being Reviewed
Though most disability recipients are really disabled, there are also some bad eggs who try to take advantage of the system. Youve probably heard reports about people who have already recovered and have started working but are still receiving disability benefits. Or those who have faked their disability to get benefits.
Remember that social security disability benefits are meant to assist people with disabilities. Unlike workers compensation, it is federally funded. So the government has to make sure that those who got approved for disability are really qualified. Having many non-disabled people on the SSAs disability payroll will deprive those who really need it the most.
So if you received a social security disability review notice, know that its just routine. It doesnt necessarily mean theres something wrong with your claim. Though your answers on the questionnaire may affect your benefits.
Recommended Reading: Social Security Office Crown Point
When Will Your Ssd Case Be Reviewed
To conduct the Continuing Disability Review process efficiently, the SSA separates each SSD claimants case into one of three categories based on the nature and severity of the claimants impairment as well as their age. The SSA intended to focus its efforts on those cases more likely to produce a savings to the government and to focus less on claims based on the most severe or permanent impairments. The three categories the SSA decided upon were these:
1). Medical Improvement Possible Reviewed every 3 years
2). Medical Improvement Expected Reviewed every 6 months to 18 months
3). Medical Improvement Not Expected Reviewed every 7 years
Most Social Security Disability Reviews Are Short
The great majority of Disability Reviews begin by the SSD claimant receiving a notice in the mail instructing them to fill out the Short Form questionnaire called a Disability Update Report. The information the SSA wants you to provide includes how often you visit your doctor, whether you are following the recommended treatment, whether your health has improved, and whether you and your doctor have discussed your returning to work.
Based on the responses you provide as well as the nature of your impairments, the Social Security Disability program will notify you of its decision to conduct a medical review or to waive it until the next period of review.
Recommended Reading: Can I Go To Any Social Security Office
Will You Get To Keep Your Benefits After A Cdr
The good news is that, of all the adult disability recipients who received either a mailer or the long-form disability review report in 2017, SSA statistics shows only 4.5% had their benefits ceased. For those who undergo the full CDR, and for children, however, the chances of losing benefits are quite a bit higher.
Those who go through a full medical review will have their benefits terminated if the claims examiner finds that their condition has improved since they were approved for benefits. This happens in relatively few adult cases, although the percentage of adults whose benefits are terminated has been increasing over the last few years. In 2013, 13% of adults were terminated after a full medical review, while in 2017, over 16% of adults had their benefits ceased after a full medical review. But the good news for this 16% whose benefits were ceased is that about half of CDR benefit denials are reversed on appeal.
SSI recipients are slightly more likely to have their benefits terminated after a full medical review than SSDI recipients . For more details, read our articles on your chances of SSDI termination after a CDR and your chances of SSI termination after a CDR.
CDR Review vs. Initial Review
You could be eligible for up to $3,345 per month In SSDI Benefits
Will You Receive The Short
Whether you receive just the mailer or the full Continuing Disability Review Report depends on whether Social Security has given you a high, medium, or low profile. A low profile means you have a low probability of showing medical improvement, and you’ll be less likely to have to undergo a CDR. Social Security determines your profile by looking at your age, any recent earnings, your impairment, how long you’ve been receiving benefits, and the date of any previous CDRs.
Not everyone with a “medical improvement not expected” diary necessarily has a low profilea young age and recent work can change this. But most people who are over age 50 have a low profile and can expect to receive a mailer.
If you have a high or medium profile, you are more likely to be selected for a CDR and get a long-form report right off the bat. Or, if you indicate on the short-form mailer that you are working or that you haven’t been to the doctor recently, you are likely to be sent the long-form report and be put into the CDR process. Also, a small percentage of all recipients is randomly chosen to undergo a CDR, regardless of their profile.
Note that all children who receive go through a CDR with full medical review when they are due for a review no children receive the short-form mailer.
Don’t Miss: Can I Collect Social Security At 60
Appealing A Case Review Cessation Of Social Security Disability Benefits
If you want to appeal an SSA decision to stop your SSD benefits , you or your SSD attorney or SSD advocate must file a SSA-789-U4 form within 60 days of receiving the SSD Review decision.
An experienced SSD lawyer or SSD advocate like Scott London and our entire team at London Disability Disability Advocates can help you fight to continue to receive the SSD or SSI benefits you deserve.
Many observers look at Continuing Disability Reviews scheduled too frequently as a form of unnecessary harassment of disabled individuals. With the help of a SSD lawyer or an SSD advocate, many of the Orders of Cessation are reversed once appealed and the facts get thoroughly examined. In the end, the process the government established as a means of detecting cases in which money could be saved often leads to appeals and repeated hearings at which the claimants benefits are restored.
If You Receive The Mailer Followed By Continuing Disability Review Report
About 2-3% of disability recipients who are initially sent the mailer are selected for a full CDR. This means that one or more of their answers on Form SSA-455 indicated a need for a CDR. If you are selected for a CDR, this means that, one to two months after you send in the mailer, you’ll receive Form SSA-454 to fill out. Social Security will then request your medical records and then do a full medical review of your case. Recipients in this category have to wait the longest to find out whether they get to keep their benefitsfive to six months, sometimes more.
Also Check: Back Of Social Security Card
How Often To Check Your Claims Status
Generally, you should check your claims status periodically at least on a monthly basis.
Depending on your case, you may want to check more often, perhaps on a regular basis. For instance, a decision may be fast-tracked if your condition is listed on the Compassionate Allowances list, allowing you to receive disability benefits sooner.
If you recently submitted your claim, we recommend checking within two weeks to ensure it was well-received. If you are waiting for a decision that is overdue, be sure to check every few days or so.
Checking Your Claim Status After The Application Or Reconsideration
For cases pending at the initial claim level and the reconsideration level , speaking directly with the disability examiner who is evaluating your claim is usually the most helpful way to get information.
Your disability examiner works at a state agency called Disability Determination Services , not the actual Social Security Administration . Disability examiners are typically easy to reach by phone, and you can get the telephone number for your local DDS from your local Social Security office or from our state articles. Find your state article to see a list of the DDS offices in all 50 states.
When you call the DDS, state that you are calling for the status of your case. Typically, the person who answers the phone will ask you for your Social Security number and will then connect you with your claims examiner, who can quickly tell you whether or not your case is pending. If your case is still pending, ask the examiner if there is anything you can do to help expedite your claim.
If your case has been decided, the examiner can tell you this, but won’t be able to tell you whether you will be approvedâthe Social Security office makes the final decision after it looks at all eligibility requirements and confirms that you’re still not working a significant amount.
If you filed your application more than one to two months ago and you haven’t heard anything, you should call DDS to check the status of your application.
You May Like: Social Security Disability Spousal Benefits
How Should You Check On The Status Of Your Disability Application
In order to check the status of your Disability status, you can:
- Speak with the examiner who has been assigned to review your case. Youll usually find them in the Disability Determination Services Division .
- Check your claim status on the Social Security Website. You can go to SSA.gov to check your Social Security Disability status online.
- Contact a Social Security Disability attorney. Your lawyer can call the DDS or SSA on your behalf to get you the pertinent information.
The best way to get the information you need is for you or your attorney to call DDSD directly. When you contact them, let them know that you are checking on the status of your application. They should be able to tell you whether a decision has been made or if your case is still pending. Never go into details that may hurt your case. Instead, just limit your conversation to the status of your case.
Claim decisions may just be another piece of the workday for the examiner assigned to your case, but we know that waiting for an answer can be stressful for you. If you handle the claim yourself, make a written note to check back 30 days after filing. You dont want to forget to follow up.
Company Information
Disability Help Center San Diego 1833 Fourth Ave. San Diego, CA 92101
How Long Does A Social Security Disability Review Take
The Social Security Administration is required to conduct periodic reviews of every Social Security Disability case to determine whether the SSD benefit recipient is still qualified by the current status of their disabling impairment. These period case reviews are referred to as Continuing Disability Reviews, . Most CDRs are called short form CDRs which are completed within one to three months. In other cases, a long form CDR may take as long as six months to complete.
London Disability Disability Advocates and Attorney Scott London can answer all your questions about your SSD Review and assist you in preparing and filing your response to the CDR questionnaire so the information you provide is clear and accurate and avoids any misinterpretation by the Social Security Disability Review personnel.
Recommended Reading: Social Security Office In Chatsworth